How Long Should I Keep Giving Medicine to Keep Fever Down?

Updated on July 25, 2012
C.A. asks from Shohola, PA
10 answers

My 19 month old daughter had a fever last night, I gave her just the rite aid brand fever reducer/pain reliever. had to give her more throughout the night. She woke up and seemed ok until around 1pm....checked her temp this time and was 101.6. Besides feeling very very hot she seemed ok except for being over cranky. Gave her another dose and she was back to her happy playful self. Now before bed I am in the same situation so I gave her more before bed. Of course I dont wanna keep giving my child medicine but I dont know that I need to take her to the doctor since it's not a VERY high temp and she doesnt seem to have anythin else wrong. However...she is defintely not herself without the medicine....do I take her to the doctor or keep giving her medicine?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the advice...After reading that EVERYONE all agreed to get her to the doctor. I called first thing this morning and got her in. Her throat test came back negative. But she did have a temp of 100 and her throat is red so they put her on amoxcillion just to be sure. Especially since my daughters throat test that they do in the office usually always come back negative but if she has anything it is always postive with the one the send out and you have to wait a week. Thanks again everyone!!!

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L.S.

answers from Memphis on

You certainly want to get her to a pediatrician. A persistent fever is usually a sign of infection. Usually a doctor will prescribe amoxicillan to to help get to the root of what's causing the fever in the case of an infection.

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M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I would not even medicate a fever that low during the day, but I would be slightly concerned if she still has the fever tomorrow as it could be a ear infection. I would prob. put a call in to the pediatrician to have a look in her ears and such.

@ Dawn just because one mom had a kid with pneumonia, does not mean everyone should bring their kid to the Pediatrician at every little sign of a fever.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Take her to the Doctor.
She is 19 months old.
How much are you giving her per dosage?
Did you ask the Pediatrician?
Tylenol etc., is just a temporary fever reducer and to help discomfort. IF a child is still sick, the fever WILL return.
Tylenol or Motrin, does NOT "cure" the fever or the illness. It is just temporary and their fever will return if ill.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

The last time I read something like this (last week), the mom wrote me to tell me that it turned out that her child has pneumonia. PLEASE take her in to be seen by the pediatrician. It is really important to seek out the cause of the fever. Not every fever is just a virus.

Dawn

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A.G.

answers from Provo on

A child's behavior is a much better indicator of something being wrong than how high a fever is. A fever means the body is fighting something - it can be 100 degrees and require an ER visit (that was my son over the weekend)...or 104 and be no big deal. I rarely give fever reducers unless the fever is quite a bit higher - simply because it doesn't cure anything and sometimes it makes them feel so much better it masks symptoms are important to pay attention to. Hope she's feeling better soon!

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I usually give it up to 3 days if the fever is 101 or less (even without meds my kids' fevers fluctuate throughout the day, lower in the am and higher in the pm). The exception is if there are other symptoms--if there are cold symptoms get her checked for an ear infection. Sore throat, check for strep. I can see being cautious with a kid under 2 years old since she can't tell you what is wrong very well.

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Her fever is not very high because you keep breaking it with the meds. Personally, under 2 years, I would take her in.

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

would consult with a dr. .
however I would do it every 4 to 6 hours for at least 24 hours

M.L.

answers from Chicago on

take her to the dr. Your childs temperment is the best indicator of how she is feeling. If she's acting herself but just a little cranky then let the fever take care of whatever is going on inside = if she is very uncomfortable, give her a little something to help her feel better. As you wrote this yesterday you've likely already made plans as to whether you're taking her in to the dr. or not - let us know how she is.

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S.B.

answers from San Diego on

For a 19 month old I would take her to the Dr. My daughter was prone to ear infections and whenever she had a fever, it was a ear infection that would get really bad in the middle of the night. Good luck to you and hope she feels better!!

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