Low Grade Fever for More than a Month in Day Time Only

Updated on July 01, 2014
J.O. asks from Bradenton, FL
9 answers

my son been running a low grade fever for more than a month now in day time only (99.6 to 100 rectal) but when he goes to sleep his temperature goes down to normal (98.6). Took him to several doc. they all said im not very concern.
the only thing I dont understand is he has a virus in day time but not in a night time
P.S: the kid is running playing all day with no sign of anything
its driving me crazy. anybody seen this before?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.V.

answers from Louisville on

Yes - it's a disease called munchausen by proxy. Very serious. You probably need treatment immediately.

More Answers

V.S.

answers from Reading on

I happen to think you have to be a troll, because who takes a daily rectal temp, at least twice a day, on their child!? Especially a child who runs? You sound more like a pedophile than a father. But just in case...

Normal rectal temp is 99.6! Normal oral is 98.6, normal brachial is 97.6. In other words, he is normal! Please stop poking your son in the butt before you perforate his rectum! Jees!

9 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

so, 'several' docs are wrong, and you're right in thinking that a tiny blip in temperature warrants doing this to your kid?
keep the thermometer out of his rump and go read a book or something.
khairete
S.

6 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

He doesn't have a cyclical virus. Stop taking his temperature twice a day for a month. That's not necessary or advisable. If my kid were running around and acting fine with no signs of anything, I wouldn't be thinking of taking his temp at all. I certainly wouldn't be taking him to "several doctors" for nothing.

And rectal temps can run higher. Leave the child alone. He'll be an emotional mess if he's constantly being taken to doctors for nothing and if he's having his temperature taken all the time, particularly rectally. A good parent learns to relax.

6 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

He's fine - he doesn't have a fever or a virus only by day.

It's normal for our body temps to fall a little bit when we sleep.
That's why we sleep with blankets.
Not everyone has a normal temp of a perfect 98.6 (taken by mouth) right on the dot.
Some run a little cooler and others run a little hotter - it's what's normal for them.
Also, normal taken by rectal is 99.6 to 100.4 (over 100.4 rectally would mean they have a low grade fever) - how/where you take the temperature makes a difference.
Generally if a kid is old enough to be running/playing I'd say he's ready for an oral thermometer (or one of those ear scanner models).
I only ever used a rectal thermometer while our son was less than 1 yr old.

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditio...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_body_temperature

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

B. is right -- we all have a slight temperature drop when we sleep. And the rectal temp you list is considered normal, not a fever. Didn't the "several" doctors tell you that those numbers are a normal temp, taken rectally? They should have. That is the reason why they're saying they are not concerned -- because it's not a fever at all. At least 100.4 is the minimum for a LOW grade fever taken rectally, as B. notes.

He does not have a virus that comes only the daytime.

Please stop checking his temp so frequently; you're worrying yourself -- you can relax. Maybe you took it once when he was fussy and you suspected something, and thought it was a fever, (any of us would do that!) but now that you know it's not one, please don't keep taking him to different doctors in search of a diagnosis. Ask your regular pediatrician for information on fever in young children and a list of what's considered low-grade and what's considered cause for real concern depending on age and how/where the temp is taken. Our pediatrician gave us such information when our child was born years ago and I posted it where I keep the thermometers! It's very helpful.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

He is fine!!! His temperature is normal!!! You on the other hand need help. Stop taking his temperature rectally. If your son can run around all day then he is old enough to hold the thermometer under his tongue.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.F.

answers from Phoenix on

At some point one of these docs is going to report you to the authorities for this. Leave your kid alone.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

A person's normal body temp goes up and down with activity.

I have a low normal body temp. I took my temp every day for 6 months trying to figure out when I was ovulating. I would take it numerous times through the day. My normal resting body temp is 97.5 and if I'm up moving around and cleaning it goes up to 98.9.

If you're taking his temp rectally and he's big enough to get up and move around playing then he's WAY too old to have it rectally. Get a real thermometer. One that measures the skin temp or the ear drum temp. I'd also say get a couple of them so if YOU think he has a temp and the thermometer isn't working and having a second one will confirm your readings.

By the way, if he's just warm when he's up playing and he's inside the house I suggest you let him have less clothes on, keep the house cooler, and perhaps have a couple of floor fans running to keep the air stirred up and cooling him off.

Kids get hot when they run around and play. You're overreacting and it's not healthy for kiddo.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions