My 6 Month Old

Updated on November 27, 2009
C.N. asks from Villas, NJ
23 answers

My 6 month old daughter has had a fever for 7 full days now. It goes anywhere from 103.8 to 99.9 and doesn't drop any lower than that. The doctor said she has the flu, she is just getting worse. She is my third baby and my other children never had a fever that long. I have been giving here mortrin and tylenol every 4-6 hours for 7 days now. I hate giving her that much medicicne but her fever isnt goin away. How long is too long for her to have a fever? She has had a solid green runny nose for 3 weeks now, she has a cough, watery eyes, and you can just tell she is sick. I dont think she should have a fever this long.

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So What Happened?

My daughter's fever finally broke 11 days later. She is better, now and the doctor said that some kids just react differently to the flu. Thanks everyone for your imput.

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T.H.

answers from Allentown on

If it were my kid I would just take the baby to the emergency room, to get another opinion. I don't think it's good to give any kid all that medicine especially a 6 month old. Better to be safe than sorry.

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B.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

All the kids at my sons school have had the same thing. An 8 yr old had that same fever for 8 days and the doctor said it was just viral. The green coming out of the nose sounds like infection and an antibiotic would be needed for that.

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S.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Did she see the doctor at all? If not, it is definately time. The pediatricians are cautious about brining kids with the flu in right now because they can transmit it, but also because they are susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. It sounds like she could already have a bacterial infection. Call and tell them you want her seen today. If they won't see her, go to the ER. Preferably and ER with pediatricians. Then later, call your insurance company and file a complaint that they would not see a sick infant.

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R.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Stop giving her any tylenol or ibuprofen! Fever is a symptom not a cause. Fever is actually the body's way to fight infection. There are studies showing the use of tylenol and ibuprofen can extend an illness. A child's fever is safe even as high as 106 degress F. Febrile siezures are rare and usually happen even when the fever is controlled. How is she feeling? IF she is acting normally and eating and drinking, the fever is doing its job. A visit to the pediatrician is necessary more for her other symptoms of green runny nose and cough. Actually, using the combo of tylenol and ibuprofen can cause kidney damage if your child is dehydrated.

I am a nursing student and just learned these facts today from Dr. Zitelli from Pittsburgh CHildren's Hospital during grand rounds. He lectures nationally about this. Do not be afraid of a fever.

i hope this helps but it is scary and upsetting when your child is sick.

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T.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

Not by any means am I trying to get anyone nervous or scared but you must keep a close eye on fevers.I never was overly worried about it. I have a 13yr old who always got fevers and they were high, well to me they were 102 or higher and I never had a problem with reducing her fevers. However my 18mo old went into convulsions in Sept for almost 7 mins from a fever of 99. My parents are both deceased watched them both die of horrible deaths but let me tell you, I have never dealth with anything as scary as a baby have a fever seizure for that long of a period. She was foaming at the mouth twitchingher eyes. IT WAS THE MOST SCARIEST THING I HAVE EVER LIVED THROUGH. For over a week I couldnt sleep. My husband was totally freaking out which wasnt making the situation any easier. So just keep an eye on it because you never know how their body will respond on any given day.

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D.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

Use your instinct and go to the doctor to have her examined. This happened with my son and by the time I took him in (because they kept telling me not to worry), his eardrum was ruptured! Better safe than sorry. If you need a new doctor, better to switch now! Good luck!

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A.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I bet she has a sinus infection and they are confusing it with the flu. Get her seen again-preferably by a different doctor.

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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Green discharge is usually a sign of infection, probably a sinus infection. She probably needs some antibiotics. You might need to find another pediatrician. She may have the flu also, but usually the green runny nose is a sure sign of infection.

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J.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

definitely get a second opinion from a doctor. Trust your gut.

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B.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My 8 month old just went though the same thing. Her fever was mostly always at 103.9 and never dipped below 100 for a full week. The pediatrician didn't want me to bring her in because of her weakened immune system, she was worried my daughter might catch something else. My son and I were also sick but we only had fevers of 101.9 and it was gone after a day, with just lingering flu type things for the rest of the week.
I spoke with my own doctor recently and she suspects we all had H1N1 and that because my daughter was so little it affected her differently. Of course, we weren't tested so we don't know that for sure.
If I would have known that at the time I most definately would have taken her to another pediatrician or insisted ours see her. Or, if worst came to worse taken her to the ER.

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D.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi C.,

I don't know what your pediatrician recommends, but ours has told us in the past that if the fever does not subside within 3 days to call again for an appointment to have our daughter seen. Is it possible she picked up the H1N1 flu? If so have her seen again just for your own peace of mind. Good luck and hope your baby feels better soon!

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A.G.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If your doctor won't give your daughter an antibiotic for the solid green running nose, your only option is going to the emergency room. I know that's not fun, but her fever should have been gone by now. Good luck

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

You're right, she shouldn't be sick this long. Take her to a different doctore ASAP or go to the emergecy room. As a mom, you need to trust your insticts!
Go today!
Good luck.

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J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

My 2 yr old son is getting over something similiar - he had a 103+ fever for over 5 days. The dr thought it might be swine flu but his strep test came out positive. Im not sure if he has a virus too b/c its taking a long time to kick this thing even on the antibiotics.

Anyway - you might want to ask for a strep test.

Good Luck to you!

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D.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

I don't know why no one else has mentioned this, but, the fever is what will help her get better. By constantly lowering her fever, you are taking away her body's number one way of fighting this illness. I know it is hard to watch your child suffer with a high temperature,but, it is way better for her immune system and long-term health to avoid fever reducers. Plus, you have to realize that the medicines are also putting an incredible strain on her liver.

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J.J.

answers from Allentown on

If your baby has the flu a fever could easily last a week or more. The H1N1 flu is what is going around and it is nasty! My daughter has the flu and we are on day 7 of fever. My son also has it but he only three days of fever so far, but has thick green snot, where my dauhghter has clear discharge, all kids react differently it sounds like she does have the flu. If she is drinking well I would not worry, but I would stop medicating the fever. It is really only recommended to medicate a fever over 102 anyway so when it is lower don't give meds. Even over 102 you don't NEED to give meds but most parents do. And just to clarify that those who claim green snot is a sign of bacterial infection are 100% wrong, you don't need an antibiotic to treat viral infections it won't do anything but upset the stomach. Kids often get thick green snot, especially toward the end of the viral illness but can get it throughout as well. When to worry is if your daughter has a fever over 105 for an extended period of time that won't come down with meds or she is not drinking enough fluids and becomes lethargic, unresponsive or difficult to arouse. Both those incidences require a trip to the ER, otherwise I would just call the ped or family Dr. and let them know your concerns. Give lots of fluids and try not to give so many fever meds. Maybe just at night to help with sleep.

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N.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

YOU ARE RIGHT - it should be better by now - please take her somewhere, today!!! Is there a different doctor in that practice that you could see? Or you may be better just going to the ER if you think another doc would be reluctant to overrule his partner.

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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

First off she is a baby and I can't believe the Dr isn't seeing her. I have 4 boys and my 5 year old has been sick that way for a week. They told me to let it ride its course. Now my 15 month old had almost the same thing but they saw him right away. I would call your Dr and demand that she be seen TODAY.. That is way to long and if she has green coming out of her nose that means infection. Good luck and I hope she gets better...

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

My honest opinion is to get her to the ER. I wouldn't be messing around that long w/ a fever. Although they say that you are supposed to let a fever work with this flu, a week is too long. Best of luck!

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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I'd want to get a second opinion. I've heard many stories from friends whose kids have had flu-like symptoms recently that match what you describe (including the length of time) except for the solid green runny nose, which oftentimes goes with a sinus infection. I'd be concerned about this flu possibly allowing a secondary infection to set in. Hope she feels better soon.

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D.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

She may have the flu, but it also may have turned into a secondary infection. Babies can't blow their nose to clear their sinuses, but the green could be a sign of an infection. The post nasal drip causes the cough.I would take her back to the doctor!at this point, or at least call. They will probably want to see her!

M.L.

answers from Erie on

I think i would take her to the ER. If the doctor doesn't want to see her, then it sounds like that may be the only other option for you. that seems way too long to have a fever, but i don't have any experience with this new flu (and hopefully i won't!) but i would probably take her in.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi, C.:

Tell your doc you want a second opinion.

Good luck. D.

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