13 Month Old with High fever.......need Help???

Updated on July 12, 2010
K.P. asks from Katy, TX
15 answers

My daughter started having fever on Wed, July 7 around 4pm (102.5 rectal). That night she threw up and her fever went up to (103.5 rectal). I took her in Thursday morning to the dr. They checked her out, gave her a flu test, and everything came back normal. So they sent me in for blood work at the hospital. The blood work also came back normal according to the dr. It is now, Friday and she still has fever (102.5 rectal). I am at a loss of what to do other than continue to try and break it with Motrin and Tylenol. Does anyone know what this high fever could mean??? The dr's said if she still had fever around 2pm on Friday to come back in, but I am wandering what else they can do since everything has come back saying normal. The good news is overall my daughter seems happy, although she is struggling to sleep these past 2 nights (waking up sweating and crying almost every 3-5 hours). I just don't know what could be wrong with her. Thanks in advance for any suggestions as to what this could be or what else I should do.

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So What Happened?

So, Skylar had fever for about 4 days last week. Every test we did on her came back negative. She has been fever free for about 3 days, but she has had fever again for the past 2 days. I took her to the dr again yesterday, but they said everything fine. She is acting good, but I am at a loss as to what I should do? Any Suggestions???

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T.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

If this continues you might want to get a second opinion. My baby always used to have high fevers and sometimes the docs would say the same thing bring him back if it continues. But almost always it was an ear infection that they couldn't detect on the first visit. Also try warm to cool wet cloths and rubbing her down with them or a warm bath to get the fever down quickly and just try to make it fun for her if possible with bubbles so she'll enjoy it no more than 20 min in the bath. Hope this helps...

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Actually, a fever of 102 in a toddler is not considered to be high. And when you can bring a temp of 103 down then there is less cause for concern. I'm not sure but I think a rectal temp is higher than one taken by mouth.

Unless a fever causes seizures having a fever is a good thing. Seizures don't occur until the temp reaches 106 or more. Fevers are our body's way of getting rid of bacteria and viruses. Most infections are caused by a virus for which antibiotics are of no help. We just have to let them run their course.

Because she seems happy overall except from some discomfort when sleeping, I suggest that you try to relax and wait it out. We often don't know why we're sick. Be assured that by your description whatever is causing your daughter's fever, it is not serious.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

You took her to see the doctor too early the first time, usualy when a child starts with fever you wait until some symptoms show up. That may take 3-4 days. You mentioned she threw up, but no diarrhea. If she is taking fluids(any fluids including popsicles, milk, water, juice) and peeing in the less than 8 hr intervals just keep giving fluids, light foods (toast, rice, apple sause, banana). Usualy high fever means flu, lower grade fever could be infection.
It's good that you are checking her temp. For temp. less than 102 you can skip Tylenol or Motrin. High fevers are harmfull but lower fever is just her body trying to fight an infection. Watch for other symptoms :runny nose, sore throat, cough. If after a few days her fever becomes low grade and she apears sick that would be a time to take her to the doctor for antibiotics.
For now you can just give her a lukeward bath often (not cold), dress her in loose clothes, offer plenty of drinks. Flu can take up to 5 days.

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

"Actually, a fever of 102 in a toddler is not considered to be high. And when you can bring a temp of 103 down then there is less cause for concern.
Fevers are our body's way of getting rid of bacteria and viruses. Most infections are caused by a virus for which antibiotics are of no help. We just have to let them run their course.
Because she seems happy overall except from some discomfort when sleeping, I suggest that you try to relax and wait it out. We often don't know why we're sick. Be assured that by your description whatever is causing your daughter's fever, it is not serious."
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Actually this is good advice: so I will not repeat it...
Remember that adults are considered high at 103, but not kids. My peds did not even get worried at 105.8. Viral bugs do this to our children and it is a good sign the body is trying to fight. I am actually more worried about kiddos who are sick with no fever. Two days is also not that long. The best thing you can do is keep him hydrated. Keep him cool... Meaning just a diaper.
Here is a link to a past thread that just was here a few days ago. Good Luck & do not worry!
www.mamapedia.com/questions/116210553659195393

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S.C.

answers from Phoenix on

What CherryJam said. :-) It's hard to find the balance, but there's a certain amount of time to wait before taking your child in to see the doc when they're sick. Otherwise you end up taking them back again a couple of days later when the doc starts to TRULY become cautious.

Sounds to me like it's a normal virus (those flu tests aren't always accurate, by the way). If she's acting okay otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much. Keep a close eye on her like you have been and follow up with your doc accordingly.

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J.R.

answers from Dallas on

Have you asked or has the doctor mentioned Roseola? My daughter had it when she was younger as did several other friends' kids. My pedi said it's very common for most kids. I am sure you can google it to compare symptoms while you wait to talk to your dr, but it's mainly a "high" fever for several days with no other real symptoms. Also, once the fever is gone a rash, generally on the torso, can be arms and legs too, will develop. That's just my thought on what else it may be bc it sounded like how my daughter was when she had it. Good luck figuring it out and I hope she gets well soon. :)

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P.C.

answers from Spartanburg on

My babies ran fevers when teething.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

That actually is not a "high" fever, especially taken rectal. My pedi actually is not a "fan" of rectal temps anymore.
Seems like excessive work for a temp like that, especially if she is acting OK during the day. It is normal for them to be more fussy at night when they do not feel well. No other symptoms? Then, I would just let her be honestly. I would not even treat the fever unless she is acting like it is bothering her. Just treat it at nighttime when she feels her worst. Sounds like a simple virus that should pass quickly to me. Honestly, I would find another pedi also. I see no reason to warrant the tests for just a fever with no other symptoms. (Especially if she is overall happy and still eating/drinking, etc.) Speaking as a mom with 3 kids who has been through a lot, even my oldest almost dying from an illness as a baby.

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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with it being too early for them to tell the cause. I took my daughter to the doc and she had antibiotic shots three days in a row before they figured out she was developing pneumonia (no cough). Just be diligent and keep taking her. Another thing is make sure she sees a doctor and not just an NP. it could be coincidence, but it wasn't until the doc saw her that they detected the decreased breath sounds. Don't want to scare you... you just never know. Sounds like you're doing the right things by taking her in. Praying for you both!

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B.B.

answers from Houston on

I echo what Jodi just wrote! The exact same thing happened with my 2 yr old. They tested for flu and strep but was negative. I kept alternating between Tylenol and Motrin and it finally passed after about 5 days!!!!
Hang in there and good luck!!
B.

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

It's probably just a virus, not all viruses are the flu. Whatever it is will need to run it's course. If it was an infection I'm sure it would have shown up and they would give you antibiotics. If the fever continues make sure to take her back to the pediatrician.

Until them just keep pushing clear fluids, chicken soup and pedialyte are good. They have pedialyte popsicles too which really help them get the fluids they need to beat the virus.

Also keep an eye out for a higher fever and/or any other syptoms, but if it's just a virus there isn't much you can do but wait for it to pass. Hang in there, I'm sure she will get better soon!

Edit, here is some info on fevers, you should check with your pediatrician on what they recommend but it seems a fever of 104 or above should be seen right away:

http://www.drgreene.com/fact/fast-facts-about-fevers

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R.G.

answers from Texarkana on

There has been a lot of kids with fevers. Has she got all her teeth? I know my middle child did all that before they started coming in. I'm with the other moms if they can't find anything when u go back I would get a second opinion! Ear infection and the e coli virus can cause fever! Good luck and hope that u can find out what's causing the fevers!

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Did they test her for strep? They might have thought she was too young to worry about it but it is worth a try. When my kids were much younger they would get sick to their stomach and high fever with strep. Sometimes their throats didn't even hurt.

It could also be a virus. I would take her back today no matter what-you might as well.

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T.M.

answers from Austin on

I am assuming they checked her urine for a urinary tract infection? Sorry this is happening but sometimes fevers are of unknown origin, make sure she is getting plenty of fluids and rest. Could be some sort of viral infection which they can't do much for except comfort measures. Good luck and let me know if they checked for the UTI.

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J.E.

answers from Houston on

My daughter recently came down with a fever that we couldn't get rid of and was accompanied by headache and a sore throat. After a couple of days, we went to the doctor and was told there was a virus out there that mimics strep throat which is going around right now and we just had to wait it out. Her fever came on during a Monday night and it was Saturday before it started to disappear and Sunday before she said she felt totally fine again. It may be something along those lines where you just have to wait it out. My doctor said it could last anywhere between 5-7 days, which is what happened with us, but to be concerned if it lasted more than 7. I'd say just keep up with the Motrin and Tylenol and wait it out. Good luck, momma! It's tough when your kiddo is this sick and you feel like there's nothing you can do.

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