My daughter has had a fever on and off for 11 days. She may go a full 24 hours with a normal temp and then BAM! It's flies back up to 101. She was in and out of school last week (home early Tuesday, home Wednesday, home early Thursday, home Friday) and home all this week. I already know she'll be home tomorrow again - took her temp at 9pm and it's the highest it's been - 102. We went to the doctor earlier this week - she said it was viral, not much we could do. She gave my daughter a nebulizer treatment with albuterol b/c she was having trouble hearing air go in and out of DD's lungs. I seemed to work, so we've been doing those treatments at home the past couple of days. DD is also coughing a TON. Nothing comes up when she coughs, but it sounds more wet than dry, to me. Doctor said it's not pneumonia or bronchitis.
What the heck is wrong with her?? She is so miserable. And I'm not usually a crazy mom when it comes to this sort of stuff, but I'm getting worried. And I don't want to start reading online all the terrible things that it could be.
I know most of you are not doctors, but has anyone experienced this sort of thing with their kids? Fever here one day, gone the next, then back again the next? I'm going to take her to the doctor again in the morning, but I'm stressing, and thought maybe I could get a few words of wisdom tonight. THANK YOU.
Thank you for the answers so far! I didn't even think to request a chest x-ray. I will ask for that tomorrow. And it's helpful to go into a doctor's office with a list of things you want them to consider (whooping cough is another thing I never would've thought of!) I'll also be asking "are you SURE it's not pneumonia??"
Friday morning - I think we are finally in the clear. I took her to a different doctor in the practice yesterday. He seemed to think it's pneumonia. Not sure if it's viral or bacterial, so he gave us an antibiotic. DD took it fine with dinner last night. This morning she woke up, not feeling hungry, but feeling OK and wanting to go to school. She didn't want to take the medicine but I made her do it, and then sent her off on the bus. Then she had a bad reaction, probably from not eating, and threw up at school!!! This poor kid cannot catch a break. We're home now, and DD has perked up quite a bit. No fever, barely any cough, and her stomach feels better. I think we're on the mend!!! What a rough couple of weeks though. Thanks for all of your input.
My vaccinated daughter had whooping cough this summer. She was so sick. The doc swabbed the inside of her nose and we got the results about 2-3 days later.
Her cough wasn't wet sounding though. Go on youtube and listen to Whooping coughs.
Has your daughter had a chest xray? This sounds like pneumonia. I'd be getting a second opinion here...
So sorry!
Dawn
It could be pneumonia and there are different kind of it too. Here is a link.
http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-symptoms
It could be other things so I would go back to the doctor and get the chest x-ray and other tests if needed. That's not a high temperature so sounds like something that is low grade.
Daughter just had pneumonia. It lasted two weeks.
I'm so sorry - exhausting for your poor daughter, and you the mom as well. Definitely ask for more tests. There have been times my son has had two different infections back to back, so one thing could have turned into something else. Good luck, and hugs while you deal with all of this.
It may be pneumonia.
My daughter had pneumonia for three weeks in October, and what you are describing sounds a lot like what my daughter went through. Definitly have them do a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia and/or bronchitis. I'm surprised they did not already do that. By the way, there is a viral pneumonia and a bacterial pnemonia. I never knew there was a difference until this past fall. My oldest that was sick for three weeks had viral pneumonia and my middle girl who was sick for 10 days had bacterial pneumonia.
I hope she feels better soon! I know how stressful it is when they feel miserable and nothing we do makes a difference. Please let us know what you find out!
I would go back to the dr. sometimes they say it is a virus.. and it is.. but then it turns into a bacterial infection.
she might need antibiotics..
I went to the dr in january.. dr said it was an asthma flare..geve me inhalers.. I did the inhalers faithfully for 5 days I got no better.. I went back to the dr he diagnosed pneumonia and started antibiotics and I got better in 24 hours..
Sounds kind of like what is going on in my household. Both of my kids have had the on again off again fevers this is day 6 for my daughter and 4 for my son. I just have the horrible cold/cough that is going along with it but no fevers. The dr diagnosed both of them with sinus infections but its been days after their antibiotic was started and its not getting better. It's frusterating. Keep us updated.
Hi, K.:
Take her to another ped.
Telling a doc how to treat your child,
is bad news.
Good luck.
D.
I am so sorry she is miserable. Viruses can be tricky like that but she also could have a bacterial infection on top of it. Don't go online. It where crazy extreme things seem everyday. Just hang in there and make sure she drinks a lot. I let my kids drink sweet tea when they were sick because they would drink more. I am glad you are taking her in tomorrow. I think she needs an X-ray.
Good luck tomorrow and update us!
I agree that it could be pneumonia and if she hasn't had a chest xray that it would be a good idea. However, it could be viral pneumonia which does not show up on the xray. My daughter went through this and ended up a children's in the ICU for a week. They gave her predinsone for the inflammation in addition to the nebulizer and oxygen. Not much they can do other than let it run its course. If the nebulizer you are using at home does not releave the coughing take her to the doctor. They need to check her blood oxygen levels (a little thing they put on the finger - no pain whatsoever) after giving her the nebulizer to make sure the levels are where they need to be.
Good Luck!
There is something like that going around right now, with an annoyingly drawn out off-and-on fever. That part wouldn't be too alarming if it was the only symptom.
The lung part doesn't match up though. I think she needs to be seen again and a chest xray taken. I'm really surprised one wasn't done when the doctor couldn't hear the air flow. Perhaps a different pediatrician would be good.
to rule out pneumonia-a chest x ray should be done. Her symptoms really aren't abnormal-it's probably a virus-again, I'd get an x ray. good luck!
