13 Month Old with Fever...

Updated on March 17, 2009
T.W. asks from Norwalk, CA
23 answers

HI moms,

My daughter has been sick for 5 days with what seemed to be a regular cold; it turned into a fever two days ago, off and on. She cannot sleep, is very clingy, moody, and will eat and drink very little. Any advice on how to get the fever to go away? Any advice will help!

Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thank you, everyone for all of your useful, helpful and great advice. The ped said that she was one step away from having a "dangerous" fever, and gave me a prescription for amoxycillin, which seemed to help a lot. We visited the ped yesterday, and today, my little one seems much more cheerful and almost back to herself.
It seems her appetite has returned too.

Thanks again, all, I don't know what I'd do without the advice!

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A.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

Actually I just took my daughter to the doc and they said that a severe viral infection is going around causing all sorts of infections so you might want to take her to be seen just in case!

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R.P.

answers from Honolulu on

You need to give her either Tylenol or Ibuprofen, something to bring down the fever, give her a lukewarm bath, and call her pediatritian. If she has a fever that is a sign that she has an infection and probably not a "regular" cold. I know doctors don't want to give antibiotocs, but she has a fever and probably an ear infection that needs to be seen by a medical professional. Take her in. You'll feel much better.

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M.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Fever that comes after an illness began is usually a sign of a bacterial infection and she should be seen by a doctor...my son had a very mild case of pneumonia a couple weeks ago. He had a fever for 4 days (with mild cold symptoms) the fever went away for three days then the fever came back. I would take her in and get her ears, lungs and throat checked. Take Care. Keep her hydrated!!!!
-M.

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

T.,

Please call the doctor, if you haven't already. Symptoms longer than three days that present a fever are usually associated with some kind of infection that may require medicine. Things like ear infections can be dangerous to infants and present themselves this way.

If you have called/visited the doctor already call again. If it is effecting her sleep and diet, please take that into consideration.

For the fever, I like to use Motrin...lasts longer in between doses. Make sure her sinuses are clear with saline and a bulb syringe or nosefrida. Humdifier for any congestion and vicks makes an infant rub and inserts for their humidifiers.

Good luck and I hope your baby feels better soon!

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A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Do you have a doctor? If not go to a clinic dont try to home treat you my be sorry. Iraied 4 cildren now adults i am a nures please lissen to me good luck A. in ho.hills

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

A fever that long means there is something going on and she should be seen. Tylenol is not a good thing to use so try Motrin but only if she is uncomfortable or the fever is extremely high. There are the frozen pops that contain essential ingredients to stay hydrated. Try not to use Gatorade for a child this age.

Has she received any shots in the past two-three weeks? If so, this needs to be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) http://www.nvic.org/reportreaction.aspx

Contact me directly if this is the case and DO NOT have her receive any vaccinations until you are completely sure she has not been sick or on antibiotics for at least a week.

Please make sure YOU have done the research on vaccinations for YOUR child. The AAP recommended schedule of shots for children is too many, too soon. Here are sites and books that I always recommend for people to start their research:

www.909shot.com
www.tacanow.org
www.generationrescue.com

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders, by Dr. Kenneth Bock

The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations, by Dr. Stephanie Cave

Evidence of Harm, by David Kirby

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Ditto.

Any cold that lasts that long and THEN is followed with a fever, HAS TO BE CHECKED. It can be a secondary infection.
And NO NO NO, any Tylenol or Motrin will not make a fever 'go away".... it only reduces the temperature... NOT cure the illness nor the fever. This is a real misconception, that things like Tylenol will make it go away or 'cure' the fever. It does NOT.

For example: I had a head cold about 3 weeks ago. I got better, but did not completely go away. Then, about 5 days ago... I got sudden fever/shivering chills/headache and fatigue. It went away the next day. Then, I got the fever/chills/headache again 2 days later. I went to the Doctor at that point because I KNEW it was an infection of some kind... not a virus. Luckily I did go to the Doctor, because the Doctor said that I have a Bacterial Bronchitis...and that it is a secondary infection per the cold I had earlier that did not go away. I am now on meds for it and inhalers etc. Good thing it was not walking Pneumonia...because my symptoms were very similar.

YOU MUST take your child to the Doctor. You have to take care of it.

Naturally she cannot eat/drink, and is moody and clingy- she is sick!
You best make SURE she is not getting dehydrated... this is very dangerous in a baby/child or adult.

Take her to the Doctor, NOW.

All the best,
Susan

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A.M.

answers from San Diego on

Hi there! I'm a big proponent of holistic approaches with babies. It sounds like she could have developed an ear infection (which often causes a fever), but I'm far from an expert :-) I wanted to recommend Nicole Stone at RemembertoBreatheCenter.com (she has an office in Pt. Loma). She turned my baby's colic around in just a couple of days (infant massages and remedy tea to help digestion).
her contact info is available at http://remembertobreathecenter.com

Hang in there!

A. Miner
Co-Founder, Baby Fabulous
http://babyfabulous.com

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

According to my children's pediatrician, a fever itself is not an illness, but rather a SYMPTOM of an illness (like having a runny nose or cough). Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm sick with a fever"? Probably not. It’s more like “I’m sick with the flu”. When we have a fever, we typically have the flu, a cold, or some other illness, which happens to have symptoms, including a fever. I have found WEBMD.COM to be very helpful in getting a general idea of what type of illness I have. For example, is it a cold versus the flu? As for the fever, it will go away on it’s own once she starts to get better.

However, if your daughter is not eating or drinking anything, that sounds like a very sick child to me. With no fluid intake, she is at risk for dehydration. I would say that it is time for her to see a doctor. You should be able to call your pediatrician's office and talk to a nurse, sometimes called an "ADVICE NURSE". If you tell her your child's symptoms, the nurse should be able to tell you if you need to bring your daughter in to see the doctor, or it it's appropriate to give her any kind of medicine.

It is worth mentioning that the "experts" now say NOT to give any kind of cold medicine to children under 4-years-old. If you look at the back of a cold medicine box, instead of it saying "do not give to children under 2", it now says "do not give to children under 4-years-old" (some say 6-years-old depending upon the brand). When my children were very young, I never gave them any kind of medicine, be it over-the-counter or "natural medicines" without consulting a pediatrician first.

This is what I have learned with my children due to many an illness! I hope this helps.

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A.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hey T.,
We went though something similar with our son and totally freaked out because he actually passed out. His face turned blue and he stopped breathing because the fever jumped really quickly ( technically, it was fever induced seizure). This is very rare and when we took him to the hospital, they replenished his fluids and just kept an eye on him. The doctor said everything was normal so he was able to come back home the same day. They put our son on this regimen which lasted for about 2 days. Had we known this sooner, this probably could have been prevented. I hope this helps! Hang in there girl, I'm sure you're doing a great job :)

1. A cool bath- Your baby may cry because he/she is uncomfortable, but this can really help break the fever. Once, we did this at least 3 or 4 times in one day, but eventually, it worked.
2. Frozen Pedialite or ice pops ( little to no sugar) something the baby can suck on. This can be comforting and help bring down fever.
3. Cold Wash Cloths- Place over forehead, and under arms. Have a bowl of ice water on hand to replenish. Also rub all over arms , legs, tummy , chest, etc.

Note: Per a home remedy that my grandmother used to use, we poured a small splash of rubbing alcohol into the water bow, then dipped the washcloths to help draw out the heat, but you should check with your doctor before you do this.

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J.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi T., listen to the other mommies, get thee to the doctor.

Now, our doctor (we're with an HMO group practice and have to pay co-pays each time we go, but luckily have one single pediatrician for the baby) has said that if it's been an intermittent fever, never reaching above 101, and we do the lukewarm baths, the hydration and the love and care that goes along with it, she won't see him until it's gone on for 5 days. If at any point the fever spikes up above 102.5, we have to take him in right away to be seen, especially after a prolonged fever like yours.
Good luck!

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T.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would take her to the DR RSV and pneumonia are going around.

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K.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Because she's had the fever for more then a few days she needs to be seen by her doctor.

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P.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

If she is not drink or eating much I would take her to the dr. Becaue it is very important to keep little kids drinking liquids to keep them hydrated. They always tell you to buy those expensive juices with electriten in them. But I have to grandsons who have drank alot of Gatoraide which has the electrites in not quite as expensive & does not have as much sugar in as most kool aide or other sport drinks. Apple Juice is also good to keep small ones drinking you can deluite it some so that it is weaker so as not to cause diarea. Jello is a great think for kids because it it cool. The sugar free is good so they aren't getting full of sugar.

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S.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

After 2 days of baby having a fever, i would take to the
doctor, because they could have a infection.

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L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

It might have turned into an ear infection. You may want to take her in to see a doctor.

Lots of Love,
L.
www.RivieraPlaySchool.com

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M.I.

answers from Honolulu on

don't ask here, get her to a doctor!

fevers are not something to ignore... it could be something as simple as teething, but could be many more serious things, as well...

love and hugs, M. [had 7 kids and survived]

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J.Z.

answers from Honolulu on

T.,

Have you taken her to see her pediatric doctor. Because she can have and ear infection. Also, maybe she might have new teeth coming in, but it is better safe than sorry.

To help fever you can let her play in luke warm water. Tipid like a little less than warm. Let her sit in a little tub of water and splash her down from head on down. It will help bring her fever down.

Also, Vicks Vapo Rub. If you use vicks. I am from the Island and a single mom of five now all grown up and on their own. In a small bowl, crush two aspirin real fine add a little alcohol and vicks vapo rub. Mix then rub on chest and back. It is utilize for ramatic fever. It's and remedy my grandma used and it works for children and adults. Because grandma utilizes only home remedies and never went to the hospital until she was 94 yrs old and died at 96.

Make sure baby drinks plenty water and pedialite. Jello and popscicles too. LOL....

Take care. God Bless you and your family.

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J.E.

answers from Las Vegas on

You can alternate tylanol and motrin every 2 -3 hours do one and then the next dosage give her the other. This will not OD her because they work in different ways! ALso give her several baths a day. I have a little one that won't take medecine sio we have to bathe him like 6 times a day. The water evaporating from the skin helps to lower the temperature. My best friend is a ped-nurse and this was her advice to me last year when my 13 month old was doing this! Good luck and just hold her and be peaceful with her. Use this time to hold her and do nothing else, what better excuse that that to spend with her in your arms. The dishes will wait and the floor can be vacuumed later. Comfort her, that is your first priority!

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S.A.

answers from Reno on

It could be an ear infection. The best thing would be to take your daughter in to see her pediatrician or urgent care to get it checked out. The sooner the better. Good luck and hope she feels better soon.

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G.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

T. you might want to go to the Dr she could have an ear infection.

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L.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sounds like an ear infection to me too!

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S.A.

answers from Honolulu on

I agree, I would take her to the doctor just in case and for your peace at mind.
Meanwhile, to make her more comfortable (by reducing her temperature), try giving her a luke warm bath - our doctor actually recommends doing this before giving tylenol or motrin since its a "natural/drug free" way of making baby more comfortable (because that's all the drugs will really do too). Good luck.

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