My 18 month old son has been running a fever at night (around 100.7 to 101.0) for the past couple nights. He shows no signs of being sick - running around and playing like crazy. The only reason I have been tracking his temperature is because he is about to receive a vaccine. Im a strong believer in trying my best to make sure he is well before receiving a shot. My mom babysat him for a weekend and said she took his tem. and it was 100.4 one night - again, low grade but something thats making me wonder. We take his temperature rectally. I am going to monitor this by taking his temp. every day for the next week. I really dont think he is teething as I have learned his signs by now. Does anyone know why this could be happening? Can running around and being active make a childs temp go up?
This may sound odd but when my son is excited or tired he runs a low grade fever. He always has. I tracked my son's temp. through out the day and found it only to be elevated at bed and nap time when he was tired. Some kids get hyper when they are tired, my son will do a few laps around the house before we start his night time routine. Just a thought.
S.
I would take him to the dr if it has been for more than 2 days. My son had strep throat at 9 months old and it started like that, a low grade fever but since he couldn't talk I didn't know of any other symptoms and he seemed to be acting fine otherwise and the antibiotics got him better right away. Also, he had similar symptoms with ear infections. He's had ear infections many times but only once did he actually cry out and grab his ear and have any other symptoms. But I definitely would take him to the Dr. whenever a fever, even lowgrade, is present for more than a few days. Good luck.
A.,
It is your right to refuse a vaccine anytime you want to no matter what the Dr says. I do not recommend believing them if they tell you it's fine to give it when your child has been running a fever. Until you know what is causing the fever I would hold off on the vaccine. My nursing background aside I still, as a Mom, know that the practice of one size fits all vaccine schedules are not in the best interest of the child. It is rare that a Dr advocates holding off even when children are sick. This can be a very costly mistake in some cases. If your child has an underlying problem this virus injected into your child could make things much worse and increases your child's likely hood of the more severe side effects. If a vaccine can cause a high fever and lead to seizures and in rare cases death (which they all can) imagine what it can do to a child already fighting something therefore immune compromised even if only temporarily. The recommendations are based on what is best for the community as a whole and not for each child individually. In most offices you do not need to see the Dr at a latter time to go back and get the shot. You should be able to just either make a nurse appointment or to come during set times for vaccinations. I hope this helps. :-)
Somewhat off topic:
My opinions of some vaccines and the schedules that are forced on parents I will not go too deep into here. I will caution all parents to be informed and make a good choice for their children weighing what the medical community suggests (although they do not present it as a choice most time) and what the anti-vaccine community suggests and why. I say this because both sides have some good information and I do not feel either one is 100% correct on everything. I do however see the merits on both sides. There is a lot of very important information your Dr. will never share with you and that has been hidden by places like the CDC. For example, it is just about unheard of for a healthy child to get shingles (a painful and sometimes deadly form of the varricilla "chicken pox" virus) if they have been exposed to the wild strain of chicken pox. Yet many children will get shingles as a result of the varricella vaccine, a fact that is withheld from the public as they are afraid parents will not want the vaccine if they know the whole truth. The actual numbers of cases are unknown as they are not reported by the CDC even when parents and Dr.'s report it to them. I have a son who had this "side effect" and have personally met over a dozen parents who have had the same experience. Not being a scientific study I can still tell you since I am not well traveled and am a SAHM (so my encounters are limited) this is a large problem that is being swept under the rug. So, what else are "the powers that be" (CDC, drug companies and other government agencies) not telling us??
Blessings,
R.
My 18 month old ran a low-grade temp (100,101) and ended up with an ear infection. I just took her to the doctor to ask what was going on. I use the ear thermometer and have been told they are pretty accurate measure. Ditto on getting him checked out. Find out what is going on for you and your baby's peace of mind.
My son had this for 15 days, I took him in twice to be seen, they said without any other major symptoms it's most likely a virus and it will work it's self out. Call them immediately if he doesn't pee at least every 5-6 hrs, he stops eating, gets a high fever, is lethargic or shows any other symptom. Sorry...some times we just have to go with it, while their little bodies run the course.
Check your thermometer! We just had a bad experience that I think could have been avoided if I had double checked with a second thermometer.
A. I can relate the last few nights my daughter has been running a fever around the same temps. However she did get a runny nose, and I thought it was a cold, but when I felt her gums, she has several teeth coming in all at once and when I gave her some baby oral gel she went to sleep yesterday afternoon and when she woke up the fever had broke and she didn't have another one last night. (Thank God)
I'm not saying you don't know your son, but it could be his teeth.
He may have a mild cold that is not showing any physical symptoms, but his body is fighting it off and that's why he has the fever. If that's not it, then he may be getting a cold, and that's just the way it amps up.
Running a round can make anyones temp rise. I would take it at times when he is not as active to see if it is consistant. A fever is also a good thing because it means the body is doing its job to get rid of any toxins or virus that may be in his system. Keep track of any additional symptoms and keep a diary for your reference.
Be aware and prepare:
I also recommend doing some additional homework on vaccinations. This is the age that some children have severe reactions to vaccines. I do not want to scare you or anyone else. I just think it is so important to be informed and not just take some ones word on something even if it is your doctor.
It use to be 1 in 100,000 children had autism and now its 1 in 150 and may showed signs after their 18 mo well baby visit. Is it more that a coincidence that the vaccines recommended increased over 300%? That is what got me to dig.
I just want parents to be informed and know that they have a choice. You can postpone any vaccines until you have more information. It is not a law to vaccinate, it is a requirement for school and some day cares.
HTH
If it hasn't gone up from around 100, I would say that it probably isn't an ear infection. He may have something going on with his sinus' or something outside that his body isn't liking. There are some bugs going around that last 4-5 days. If he is due for a well check soon, I would call the dr. and ask their advice. Delay the shots and change the well check to a sick check and just have them look him over.
M.
I am a mother of 8 and a grandmother of 7. Maybe try to take his temperature under his arm instead of rectally. Sometimes rectal temps can register elevated when the temp in normal in reality. Also, take the underarm temp once he goes to sleep at night. Because he is calm, his temperature will not be elevated from being overly active. Do not take temps right after bath time because that could give you a false reading too. Good luck to you and your family.
Rnnning around is fine. Give him pleny of water. Is he teething?
Rectal taking of temp can wear down the good bacteria on his bottom and cause a yeast problems. Slow down... or do under arm!
Definately make sure he doesn't have a temp before those shots.
Peace
My son, 14 months old also had a similar situation and I think it was because all four molars came in at the same time. I think he's a bit young for them, but they came in nonetheless. Perhaps Owen is getting some new teeth in. I would definitely call the Pediatrician just in case he wants to see him. Hope this helps!
From my experiences with my son it sounds like either a ear infection or teething
Hi A.,
It might be an ear infection. Have him checked out.
D.
Hi A.,
Call your pediatrician. Get a second opinion. Whatever it takes, find the answer. Good luck. D.
To be on the safe side, I would call the doctor.
My daughter recently had a "fever virus" that had NO other symptoms, she was 100 during the day and 103 in the middle of the night - the doctor says it lasts 4-5 days, ours lasted 4.
However she also said an ear infection and bladder infection also create fevers with no other symptoms.
Hi A.,
If it has only been a few days, it is most likely a bug. However, you should take him to the pediatrician to get checked out. My daughter ran low grade fevers daily from the time she was 18 months until over 2 years old. Fevers can be an indication of many different illnesses/conditions and may require thorough testing. If he hasn't stopped with the fevers after 5 days or so, I'd definitely take him in if only for your peace of mind. Try not to worry too much & enjoy your little man. Best of luck.
K.
