Input on Fever

Updated on August 11, 2008
L.L. asks from O Fallon, IL
29 answers

Hi there,
My 6 yo daughter has been running a fever since saturday. It has typically stayed around 102. I took it about an hour ago and it was 103.3 with the ear thermometer. I have been giving her tylenol and motrin. Her only other symptoms are severe nasal congestion and she says it hurts if I rub her back or legs, etc. We went to the doc yesterday and they did a strep test an swabbed for the flu but both tests came back neg. They also sent us to the lab to have a urinalysis done but I haven't heard back from that yet. At first I thought it was just another virus going around but I thought the fever usually only last 24-48 hrs. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts?? Also, she's not really eating. She only wants water and chocolate milk. I appreciate any feedback...God bless.

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A.B.

answers from Wichita on

The doctor told me not to give motrin and tylenol, something about motrin making fever be higher than really is. Also fever can last a week or so. As long as it didnt go over 105 nothing to worry about.

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J.D.

answers from St. Louis on

As a mom of 4, I have been through this way too many times. Sounds like a "fever" virus. They just run a fever with low appetite and perhaps some achiness. The bad news...it definitely can last more than 48 hrs. It usually lasts 4-5 days! So....hang in there!!
J.

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J.C.

answers from St. Louis on

As long as she is staying hydrated you're doing good! A fever of that sort is not uncommon in children. It may be a virus, they can last as long as a week. The best thing you can do if she isn't really complaining of anything is keep fluids down her (an old wives tale said chocolate would escalate a fever, don't know if it's true) Gatorade wuld be good if she will drink it. Keep her cool & comfortable. The ache when you touch her can be caused by the fever. Sorry I haven't been more help! Hopefully it's just a virus and she feels better soon!

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L.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi L.,

Actually what I've read is that the body, unless it is dealing with a poisoning, will self-regulate fever. It is our body's way of killing germs. Germs that like 98.6 degrees or so cannot live when we run a fever. Giving tylenol and motrin (and anything with sugar) impede the body's ability to kill off the germs and heal.

We went through a solid week of off and on fever. It peaked at 104.8. That is the only time we have been sick in over a year. I think the immune system benefits from the fever. Also, running a fever keeps kids quiet and resting. I feed them chamomile tea with raw honey in it (don't get it too hot or it interferes with the healing properties of the raw honey.)

Good luck and hang in there. It is hard to see our little ones look so sick. We always think they will die.

L. C.

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H.H.

answers from St. Louis on

My MD always said not to give any dairy products because they cause mucus. Liquid jello to get some sugar in her and keep from dydration. To reduce fever, a cool cloth on forehead. At age 6 she may be able to apply, turn over the cloth and put it in the cold water pan, wring and reapply as needed. Also apply peppermint oil to her forehead to bring down the temp. H. ###-###-####

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M.I.

answers from St. Louis on

Call and ask about the urine test. They say it takes a few days but they can kind of tell if it's growing really fast or kind of slow. It might give some indication of an infection by the rate in which it grows.

How do her lymph nodes feel? Do any of them feel swollen? Maybe it could be some sort of other infection.

.....Just a personal story, and rest assured your daughter probably does NOT have this...but if you're really worried ask your Dr. about MRSA. My son (then 9 months)ran a very low fever on and off for about 3 or 4 days. On a Saturday evening I noticed a little lump in his neck, kind of under his ear (pea size). I thought lymph node and called the peditrician's exchange. They confirmed my suspicions and said I should follow up with the peditrician on Monday. On Monday morning I took him to see the Dr. He found an ear infection but thought the lump, which had grown (marble size), looked suspicious. He wanted us to come back in 2 days. We came back and it was bigger. He ordered an ultrasound that we had on Friday. They couldn't figure it out from the ultrasound so we went to an ENT on Tuesday. By then it looked like a HUGE volcano that was about to errupt. He had a CAT scan that day and was admitted in the hospital. The next morning his volcano errupted and that afternoon they operated. They cleaned it out and about a week later they figured out he had MRSA. We were sent home with Clindamician.

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V.M.

answers from Kansas City on

My son started running a fever last Tuesday night and continued off and on until Saturday, he's only 2. It actually started out as a cough and progressed to cold symptoms. I did some research online and found out cold's in young children can have fever lasting up to a week. I was worried too about the fever and if something else was going on. My 11 yr. old daughter started in with the same symptoms on Saturday and missed one day of school. I'm praying my 13 yr. old son will be okay! We were so healthy all during flu season and now we are dealing with colds in April!! Take care-V.

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C.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I know about a month ago my daughter went through the same thing. She had an inner ear infection and they gave us some drops and after a few days the fever finally when down. I would also call the doctor and ask if the results came in.
Poor little thing. I know how she feels. Your family is in my prays.

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M.A.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi,
If you don't find a solution, here's a thought, has your daughter had any immunizations recently? Some research is needed, but there are some combinations of the newer immunizations that have negative after effects for some children.

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A.E.

answers from Topeka on

Is her mucous whitish/yellow (viral) or greenish/brown (bacterial)? That will determine if it is viral or bacterial. Strep is bacterial, and the flu is viral. My biggest concern is that her legs and back ache. That is not a good sign following fever, especially if both the strep and flu were negative. I would definitely pursue this more. The Urinalysis should be able to give info within a few hours, if they are doing a culture and sensitivity to the urine it can take up to 3-5 days for full results, as they have to wait for bacteria to grow, and within five days most bacteria grow if they are present. I would really encourage water and OJ. She needs to drink more than her usual amount to loosen the mucous in her sinuses. OJ of course gives you good amounts of Vitamin C which is good for immune system and overall health. Push eating green vegetables, they help with your immune system to fight off invaders. If you haven't practiced this before, I recommend it - nasal saline rinses. It really helps to cleanse staph bacteria out of your nose, which is where half your colds come from. If she doesn't feel better yet, she should by the end of the week. SInuses might take awhile for complete clearness, but I use the saline rinses in my 5 month old, and he hasn't been sick yet. I hope she feels better soon. Hope this helped.

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J.B.

answers from Wichita on

Insist that the doctors get to the source of infection, if this doesn't improve. It very well may be a virus, which you may have to "ride out" but if that is the case, often times once the virus passes, it leaves a bacterial infection behind. If she has a sinus infection, I cannot recommend highly enough the sinus rinses, twice per day. They work far better than antibiotics, and will make her so much more comfortable. The one we use is NielMed and pediatricians often will give out samples. The only problem is a 6 yr old may not tolerate it too well. They don't like to squirt stuff up their nose, but encourage her, and let her do it. If she refuses those, try "Simply Saline". It is another good option. High fevers are sometimes scary, but the pediatricians are now saying to avoid treating the fever unless the child is terribly uncomfortable. The body's defense to kill out the pathogen with fever works better, and if you lower the fever, it only lengthens the illness. Don't forget to keep your daughter quiet, and give her plenty of fluids and rest. She needs to be kept out of school if her fever is that high.

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T.R.

answers from Joplin on

hey, T. here. first of all, i hope she's feeling better! i'm a peds nurse and i'm here to tell ya, fevers can go for days. it's ok if she doesn't really want food, kids have kind of a sixth sense if they think they will puke and usually refuse to eat, but really push fluids, which include jello and ice cream if you want to hit on both levels. urinalysis can take a couple of days but call and be relentless because in the hospital we get them back in less than an hour, so don't let them fool you! good luck!

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C.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't want to be an alarmist, as kids present their illnesses differently (one of my 4 children was one who went straight to fever plus intense head pain when he got sick while another went straight to upper-respiratory symptoms). Having said that, I will encourage you, at this point, not to just accept one doc's opinion and be sent on your way. A fever lasting that long waves a red flag that there is something wrong and your post indicates that you know so in your gut. Mother's intuition is powerful -- not something to be ignored. Follow it and let us know what the outcome is.

With prayers,

C.

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B.S.

answers from St. Joseph on

My niece (4 yrs) started running a fever on Saturday ~ today will be the fifth day... She went in earlier in the week, and they said she had a sinus infection and put her on antibiotics, but now....five days later...still fever, cough, congestion ~ negative on flu and strep also... I think there just must be something viral going around... my sister's taking her back in today just to have her checked out again... I'd love to hear anything you find out...
Good luck!
B.

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K.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi, L..
It is good that she is still wanting to drink. Keeping her well hydrated when she has a fever is important. Not being hungry is common when your body is fighting off a virus or illness. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I hope she gets better soon!

K. Wilhelm
The Education Garden

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J.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi L., wow, well it sounds like the dr's are doing what they can. I hope they figure it out soon. You're right the flu usually only lasts 24-48 hours. Where she's not really eating though what I'd recommend is get some of the breakfast carnation drinks, that'll help her continue to get her vitamins that she definitely needs. Another thing if she'll drink it is pedialight. I hope they figure it out quick!

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V.J.

answers from Kansas City on

If the doctor can't figure out what is wrong from the tests already done, you may want to ask for a blood test too.

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C.V.

answers from St. Louis on

My 3 year old had this 2 weeks ago, fever lasted 4-5 days, now my 6 year old just got over it this a.m, it lasted 4 into 5 days also. No appetite, leg aches. The 6 year old has red eyes today, I'm sure from the same thing. I gave him the pink eye medicine. Just a virus going around right now. Just be prepared for it to last 4-5 days. Tylenol & motrin took a long time to bring the fever down.

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S.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi L., I have two granddaughters and a grandson who are going through this and the one was taken to the DR. and told it was a virus going around and it did last at least 4 days and it was also 102. So if all other tests were neg. then it probably is a virus. It should go away soon. Hang in there. I never treat any fever under 102. It needs to sometimes run its course. Sometimes tylenol masks symptoms too.

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M.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Did they take a swab of her nose, she could have RSV, my 6 month old had the same problem or she could have a sinus infection, if her snot is not yellow or clear she doesn't have an infection but if it is sh eneeds to go back to the doctor. I hope this is helpful.
M.

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J.D.

answers from Springfield on

My daughter had pneumonia recently with similar symptoms. She had a chest x-ray and was put on antibiotics. Those fevers can get scary. I think five days with a fever is a long time. I hope she's feeling better really soon. Trust your instincts. Don't let them send you home until you feel they're taking care of her.

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L.K.

answers from Wichita on

Hi L..
Don't worry... (easier said than done I know). Last year my son who is 9 had the exact same symptoms and yes believe it or not ran a fever for 6 days!!! The highest one was 105. It was a bad virus and it just took his body a week to fight it. He too tested negative on everything. His body ached really bad and he wouldn't eat anything. As long as she is drinking some form of liquid she will be just fine, even if it's not exactly what you would like her to have. Cool baths work good too.
Keep me posted but like I said let it take it's course. If her fever gets above 104 take her to the ER but don't worry because with that virus it's expected.
L. K

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K.C.

answers from Wichita on

We have had something that has the same symptoms. My two sons and I are just now getting over it. If it's what we had, it hangs on forever. I'm on my third week, and I still do not have my appetite back yet. The fever generally lasts four to five days.

K.

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L.F.

answers from Kansas City on

you can always take her to ER if it is in your medical plan. the tests come back much faster and the ability to pull in specialists quickly may assist. I think maybe childrens mercy has an ER though it's downtown KCMO not very convenient but they do have pediatric specialists there. not trying to alarm just options to consider.

sometimes the squeaky parent wheel gets the attention, unfortunately.

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D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

It could just be a virus. My daughter had the same symptoms two weeks ago and went back to school after missing two days, then this past Friday was home with a virus that had her throwing up. We believe and so did the doctor that it was the same virus (just resurfaced). Her fever the second time ran from 103 -105 with the ear thermometer. She almost ended up in the hospital, but thankfully she started holding things down (fever was still there, just not as high).
Keep your daughter well hydrated, but don't let her have dairy products if she is running any fever over 100. It can curdle in her stomach and make her throw up. Stay away from the milk and give her water or juice or even a clear soda. Anything to keep her hydrated. Your doctor should have said something to you about not giving her milk, but sometimes they think we know or remember these things. Good luck and God bless.

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S.H.

answers from Wichita on

Ear infection maybe?

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K.G.

answers from Kansas City on

I've learned to never wait for the doctor's office to call you with results. Call them a couple of times a day. I know this sounds pushy, but sometimes we have to help them rememeber this isn't just a patient, this is someone's beloved child. I think you should insist that her doctor due a blood draw, as well, and right away. I cannot imagine why this was not already done. Good luck to you.

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L.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Fever is good. It's the body's natural process to fight germs. Whatever you do keep your child warm and preferably in bed. Don't give Tylenol/aspirin to suppress a fever because it interferes with the body's own healing.

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B.W.

answers from Kansas City on

My youngest was sick a couple of weeks ago with a virus. The doc never said what kind. He had the same symptoms you listed. His fever lasted about 3 or 4 days. Just keep the fluids going! Hang in there!

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