Advice on Flu Symptoms in Child

Updated on March 08, 2008
L.C. asks from Canyon Country, CA
15 answers

My son is 3 years old and has been having a temperature for about 5 days now and has just started with sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. He has no appetite and is very tired. I took him to the Doctor and she says that it is the flu and to wait 2 more days for the fever to go away. Are there any mothers out there who have gone through the same symptoms with their child. I am concerned because the temperature for such a long time worries me. Thank you.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

My 3 year old son's fever lasted 6 days. On the sixth day it just stopped suddenly, he started having a runny nose, but has gained his strength back and his appetite, a little. I would like to thank everyone for their advice and thoughtfulness in writing back so fast. I hope I can be of help to you all when you need it.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

This sounds like what my 2 year old had. Magically on the sixth day the fever disappeared. I was worried about the fever too as it was pretty high. I would give it another day or two like the doctor said.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Salinas on

Hi L.,

I wouldn't worry too much. I've gone through this with my baby several times especially because I take her to daycare. (Lots of germs at daycare) The main thing is to make sure her fever doesn't get high in a very quick time because that's when it could be trouble. A fever is good sometimes because that is the body's form of defense. A doctor told me before that I shouldn't give my baby a fever reducer to stop a fever and that I should use it instead to relieve pain or baby's uncomfort. I know this sounds horrible but your baby's fever is good for him right now because he's fighting off whatever he has. I totally know how you feel though because I've been there before, it's such a helpless feeling!!! Oh, if your son isn't eating too much try giving him some pedialyte, so at least he won't get dehydrated.(It's sweet too)

Hope your son feels better!
M.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 3yr old just went through this. She had a fever ranging from 100 to 102 for 3 days. I have an alternative medicine book which advised giving her an herbal bath. I made a large pot of peppermint and chamomille tea, had it cool down and added cold water in the tub until it was cool enough for her to sit in. She sat in there for 15min. Her temperature dropped to 98! Good luck, hope this helps as it did us.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello L.,

I also have a 3 year old. You have to understand that fever is not a bad thing it is when the body is trying to defend itself from what ever is attacking it. Now the problem comes when the fever is too high......102 and up over long periods of time. My son has seizures if his fever is too high so I have to make sure that I don't allow his fever to get to high and what I do is I give tylenol and motrin. I give him tylenol first and then four hours later motrin and then four hour later tylenol again and fours later motrin. I know that tylenol is an acetaminophen and motrin is an iboprofen. Ask your doctor about that. Our whole family just got over the flu and it took two weeks to recover. But be persistant with your doctor because they are human.Follow your instinct never second guess your self. Also you have to keep him hydrated give him pedialyte popsicles or gatorade,jello even if it is alittle at a time we don't want him to become dehydrated.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

My little girl is just getting over the same stuff. She ran a higher fever for 2 days and then a low grade fever for another 3. All she now has left is the cough. It took roughly a full 7 day week to see any relief. And the fever is letting you know that there body is fighting off the germs that are attacking.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Fresno on

my 5yr old just got over the flu. it was really bad. it started last monday and ended wednesday. tuesday was the worst day and nite. she wouldn't eat, well couldn't eat. she would only drink a little bit and she ran a fever. i took her to the ucc and one of the nursed said that it was going around and was pretty bad. i just felt so bad for her because she's not an average size 5yr old. she's only about the size of 3 and weighs hardly nothing, i was so afraid that she would get dehydrated with all the vomiting and direaha.
the doctor said just as long as they pea at least 3 times a day then they should be fine. so i went out and bought all kinds of powerade for her and some crackers. she was able to drink small amounts, when she was awake and i just gave her motrin. i was gonna give her some pepto but i was reading the bottle and it said if they are running a fever not to give because it could cause rye synmdrome.
just watch for dehydration. signs are really chapped lips, sunken eyes and they don't pee. other then that it has to run it's course. i hope your little one gets better soon. we feel for you both.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

We went through this in January - my son had a fever for almost 6 days which peaked at 105.3 on day 4 (and this was while taking motrin rotated w/tylenol). For him this is extremely high and took a lot out of him. I had to force him into a tepid bath on 3 different occasions to bring the fever down to a less scary level. Then within 3 hours on the 6th day the fever disappeared and never returned. He got his appetite and energy back within a few more hours. The fact that the cold-like symptoms have begun for your little one probably means that the fever is on its way out... do wait it out a little but if it has not gone down in a day or two definitley go back to the Dr and if he will not help you seek another opinion. You need to rule out a secondary or bacterial infection. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.A.

answers from Las Vegas on

Hi L.
My daughter is 20 months old and has had the same symptoms. Her temp was ranging between 102 to 105 with all the symptoms that you have stated, plus vomiting. When I took her into the doctor, then diagnosed her as having RSV (respitory synical virus). She has been to the ER twice, and has gone to the doctor about 4 times since she was diagnosed last Monday. I hope that your child does not have this cause it can also bring on other sicknesses such as ear infections. Any ways, ask your doctor about the possibility of this virus.
Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

for the fever, you can get these things called be kool. they are these sticky cold pads that you put on the forehead. my boys really like them when they have a fever. and you should get some padialyte for baby to drink. maybe get a cool new cup to help get the little one excited about drinking. good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Fresno on

My three year old daughter was running a fever and was tired and listless. I thought it was from getting bitten by a tick...but it turned out to be an ear infection! Don't let your baby run a fever for more than two days without getting some kind of medical attention. I spent half of Friday night in the ER because I didn't want her to be hurting over the week-end. She's feeling much better now and hopefully your son will feel better soon. Get a second opinion if you think you need to, your son's health is important!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Reno on

I have had the same situation before with my son. There are pedialite popsickels that you put in the freezer (like otterpops) and my son will take a few bites of that here and there when he has a fever like that. It will help the baby feel a little better. I also use the infant Vicks vapor rub for my son't chest while he is sleeping to open up his chest from coughing. I notice a difference with that while I listen to him sleep, they also have vicks for humidifiers if you live in a climate that you use a humidifier. GOod luck and patience is a virtue, you'll make it through.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Get a second opinion fast,a running nose is fine but a fever is nothing to take lightly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Get your child to a doctor immediately. . . A NEW ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi lily, my son who is now 4 was running a fever that got to 104.1 I took him to his DR and he said that I should only give him tylenol no motrin. He said that the motrin is actually not good for the kids although you can alter the tylenol and motrin. He said that this is a bad bug that is going around and last about 7 days and just to do your best to keep fluids. It was too weird. He was nto eating and he is a big eater, not drinking not playing nothing. I though he had an ear infection since he acted like this everytime he got one and his ears were fine. It is like the flues and colds are getting worse for our kids these days

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

hi L.,
I know exactly how you feel. My 6 yr old son (oops he just had birthday... ) I meant to say my 7 yr old son ..lol has also been sick.He felt terrible for about the last week and a half. He didn't want to eat or drink hardly anything.All he wanted to do is sleep. At one point I got so concerned about him not eating or drinking. I actually told him ... I will go buy you ANYTHING YOU WANT to eat from any place you want. If you will just eat something...But he still says no thank you mom I'm just not hungry. Then to top it off it was his birthday last Tuesday and he really didn't even care that it was his birthday.He didn't want to even celebrate his birthday...(poor little guy :( In fact he did not even want to open his presents.. and even after we convinced him to at least open his gifts. He didn't care about playing with them or anything.(ok now I am really getting worried .... I mean seriously what 7 yr old doesn't care about new toys)but, anyway my point is (sorry about rambling on and on..)finally after about 7-8 days of barely eating or drinking. He wakes up asking for a mc griddle from McDonalds... I don't think I ever drove to mc DonaldS so quickly...lol.
The good news is he is now feeling a lot better and only has a slight runny nose.
so, hang in there and just encourage him to eat and drink.. My doctor said to give my son pedaliyte or Gatorade. Becuase those have electrolytes and other things in them to keep them from getting dehydrated, so those are good for them to drink when they aren't eating or drinking a lot.
I hope your little guy feels better really soon.
T.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions