Mysterious Fever

Updated on July 22, 2008
M.C. asks from Summerville, SC
23 answers

My daughter (21 months old) just recently had a couple of colds in a row. The last cold turned into a sinus infection, which we have now been treating with antibiotics for three days so far. She seemed to be getting better and then today, after her nap, she woke up with a fever (about 101) and vomited once. She's been acting okay, but not really wanting to eat. This same mysterious fever and vomiting once at the start of the fever happened about 2 weeks ago also (a few days before she came down with a cold). I'm starting to suspect a possible urinary tract infection. I'm going to call my pediatrician tomorrow of course, but has anyone experienced fevers with no other symptoms? Also, how can you tell if a young child has a UTI? Thanks, moms, for your help!

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So What Happened?

Thanks moms for all your advice!! It is always so helpful and reassuring to hear similar experiences, especially when your child comes down with something on a weekend when the doc isn't available! The doc thinks it was probably strep throat, but since she was already on antibiotics for a sinus infection, he figured that would get them both at the same time. The fever is now gone and she's back to her regular self. Thanks for keeping me sane over the weekend! To the anti-antibiotic moms--I'm hearing you!!! I'm going to the health food store to check out some of your suggestions tomorrow to try next time--thanks for the tips! I've been wanting to try some natural medicines, but it's so confusing, i don't know where to start! (but now I do!)

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P.S.

answers from Macon on

M.:
My granddaughter had a mysterious fever also. Her pediatrician said it was from two cavities that she had. She hasn't had a fever again after having the cavities filled.
P. S

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K.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Have the Doctors Office swab her for strep. My daughter had some of these same symptoms and after a couple of visits, we realized it was strep throat.

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D.H.

answers from Atlanta on

I wanted to add something to what I wrote previously below. Antibiotics lower the immune system. I don't tell people to not take anti's, but we don't because I can cure my family in less time without other side effects. (Besides a common side effect is yeast infection for me.) What you'll need to do is give your daughter some probiotics, which you can get at the health food store. It will restore her immune system/build it back up. I use the Jarrow Brand. You can put it in yogurt or her food. If you haven't already, I would take her off of dairy...no cow's milk at all...cow's milk is VERY mucus forming and doesn't help one bit.

About 7 years ago (when I stopped going to the doctor), I had strep throat 4 times in 2 months. I went to the doctor each time and received an antibiotic....I took the anti's 3 times. The 4th time I went to a health food store, told them the story and I received Beta Glucan and took only that. Not only did strep go away that time, but it didn't come back. All Beta Glucan was, is an immune support. My body couldn't fight. We've used it for sinus infections, etc., in the past. But now we nor our children let it get that far before any sickness develops.

What I do now with my 2yo daughter is the first sign of a runny nose (you can do this now) is give her something called EMERGEN-C. You can actually get this at Wal Mart or the health food store (GNC is not a health food store). It's in a rectangle box. The health food store usually has more flavors, but WM usually has the Super Orange flavor and a couple of other flavors. It's mini packets of a fizzy drink mix. It's vitamin C....each packet is 1000mg. I put 2 packets in a 9oz sippy cup of water (or whatever you want) and stir...don't shake, since it is fizzy, and let her drink that and the runny nose goes away..usually in a few hours. I give her 2 packets daily for a week. Vitamin C reduces inflammation as well as boost the immune system. My 2yo calls it's juice. I don't give her juice, but that is what I called it when I first gave it to her.

Yes, all of my children have had fevers in the past with no other symptoms. It will run it's course. I never really worried about it, as long as it's not too high.

I don't do antibiotics, I use herbs, but as far as UTI's...I've never known how to tell except that they might have some uncomfortableness when they pee. I think, not sure though, that you can buy a kit at the store that detects UTI's. I use D-Mannose powder in water (tasteless and doesn't taste bad if you taste it). I have used it on my boys when this came up. It's 10 times more powerful than cranberries. I buy the powder form, which is more cost effective and all can take it. I buy it at a health food store. I wouldn't be without it. UTS's go away without antibiotics....I know, I've had it two times while pregnant and didn't know I had a UTI until the doc told me.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

My son just turned three and he has had a fever a couple of times with no other symptoms and each time we take him to the doctor they could not find anything wrong. he just started with another fever and we took him to the doctor and he has a double ear infection but I was also beginning to get concerned that he is harboring some kind of illness that would give him a fever every now and then. My plan if it happens again is to explain the situation to the dr and ask them to do a complete work up to find out if there may be something else going on. I don't know anything about a UTI but I don't see how that would make her throw up at the on set of a fever?

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H.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Just in case the fevers continue to come on a regular basis...refer to this group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PFAPA/

It is for parents of kids with PFAPA which is a fever disorder. Fevers come at regular intervals and all tests come back negative. Fevers are usually much higher than 101 or 102 though. Most pediatricians have not heard of it..you may have to go to a specialist to have it diagnosed. There is no cure but it is not a serious disease and is not contagious, but it can have a huge impact on a family since it can continue for years. Trust me...I know from experience!!

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B.M.

answers from Spartanburg on

My son was getting sick every two weeks with a low grade fever but was not vomiting but he said he felt sick to his stomach. After the sixth week of this, I took him to the doc. It was allergies that had developed into a sinus infection. I'd ask the doc to see what his/her professional diagnosis is. Also check with them about the herbal rememdies.

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

My son went through several mysterious fevers when he was young. We called the Pediatrician and were at the doctor's office often. Until we realized that this always happened after his vaccinations. Due to the state law where we were at the time we had to continue to give them. When he was 4 he was given his vaccinations required for kindergarten only to have him hospitalized for several weeks after them due to a severe vaccination reaction. He is now 8 and still has problems with a variety of things and due to his new medical state he can not attend school and is home bound. My point is fever's in young children can indicate an allergic reactions to things such as foods, medications, vaccinations etc. Above all trust your instincts and Good luck

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H.R.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

Could be something going around. My daughter and my sisters son has had the same thing this week. My daughter had a fever and not much of an appetite but no other syptoms.She was over it in a day. My nephew was more flu like, but it only lasted a day too. Hope this helped... never know where you pick things up now a days. Germs are everywhere!

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D.S.

answers from Augusta on

My daughter turned 2 years old on July 3rd, she is going to her first urinary infection, doctor told me kids go through childhood with at least two. But it is normal and antibiotics will do the trick.
Check with your doctor anyway... Hope this helps..

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D.C.

answers from Spartanburg on

My 7-year-old daughter has had 2 UTIs and both were accompanied by a slight fever that only presented at night.She had no pain when urinating and no other symptoms.If your daughter is currently taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic,it should take care of the UTI as well as the sinus infection but it would be prudent to have a urinalysis to confirm.My daughter has not had a UTI since discontinuing bubble baths.

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M.D.

answers from Atlanta on

M.,
My daughter recently had a low grade fever for 2 1/2 days (99-101) and the doctor told me not to worry unless it has lasted for over 3 days and/or if it is higher than 102. She had no other symptoms with this...no cold, no vomiting, appetite was fine, etc. It was strange. I recently read in a parent magazine that fevers, uncontrollable crying, and/or vomiting can be a UTI. I guess if it was me, I would go that route with the doctor tomorrow. It had stated that they are very hard to diagnose because that young they don't usually grab themselves or complain it hurts. But these "odd" syptoms tend to be the red flag.

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B.F.

answers from Atlanta on

When my son was little he had fever a couple of times that lasted for several days with no other symptoms. i took him to the ped and she said some viruses cause fever and nothing else and it would just have to run its course. I would absolutely take her to the ped if for no other reason than to put your mind at ease.

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S.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Whenever a child has a fever with vomiting immediately following a "cold", I would be suspicious of pneumonia. Phlegm from the "cold" is swallowed and the stomach cannot handle that much mucus and thus the vomiting. There's a lot of things this could be, and it's always possible it could be UTI, but usually that is accompanied by difficulty with urinating. Therefore, it's the right thing to do, taking your child to the doctor for a professional diagnosis here. However, you've been given excellent advice already in one of the responses (by Donna) regarding the immune system and taking the vitamin C and other antioxidants, etc., to help boost the immune system and unless you have a very savvy medical doctor, he/she may or may not ever mention to you the need to boost your child's immunity by giving your child something other than antibiotics. I myself was experiencing a bout of bronchitis every two months for several years and then began taking a very strong natural product that boosted my immune system and now in the past 12 months, I have had not one virus or bronchitis or sinusitis or anything else that smacks of infection. I'm convinced now that our bodies are growing immune to only one thing and that is antibiotics! They are necessary and useful in their place, but naturally boosting the body's immunity level is extremely important these days and perhaps the best course of action for the long run. I hope you do consider Donna's advice seriously and follow the lead there, but first have your MD check your child for pneumonia or UTI, as well, then decide for yourself how to treat it, i.e., antibiotics or probiotics, etc. and add in the immunity builders, too. We've all become too accustomed to accepting "it's just a virus" from our doctors. Viruses can be warded off with a better immune system, too.

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S.B.

answers from Spartanburg on

M.,
We recently had a situation that we thought was a UTI with our 3 yr old. She is potty trained but started peeing (while crying) on the floors. WHAT I NOTICED was a bad & strong pee smell. We gave her tons of water & juice & it hasn't happened since. She did run a temp, though.
I don't know if you've ever had one, but a UTI comes on fast & furious & is very painful. Always having to pee but can't. I don't think my daughter had one. Maybe just an irritation? UTI'S don't just go away without antibiotics.
I would take your girl to the DR as soon as you can.
Take care, S.

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D.P.

answers from Atlanta on

Was the 101 fever while on antibiotics? If so, that's a call to the pediatrician even if it's after hours and you have to do the on-call doc. UTI is a possibility -- but there are a lot of possibilities. I would call the doc but maybe with it only being 101 (vs., say 106) just treat the fever and wait for the appt.

Good luck.

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L.W.

answers from Atlanta on

Of course, call the pediatrician on Monday. My 18th month old son had mono which caused him to ITP which is a platelet disorder at 18 months. The beginning symptoms of mono are a fever and a sore throat. If your pediatrician doesn't mention this, ask about it. I never even knew that my son had mono--he really never appeared tired so I wouldn't rely on how tired or not the child has acted. Just a thought. God bless.

C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

My 19 mth old woke up from her nap the weds with a 101 temp, we gave her motrin, her fever wasn't budging, that night she woke up at 2 am vomited once fever was 102, we took her to the DR the next morning, he said it is a stomach virus that is going around. Friday her fever went to 104.7 back to the DR he did a strep test (which came back negative), he think now it is a UTI or kidney infection, we are waiting for her urine test to come back. He gave her antibiotic bc that is what he really thinks it is. Today is the first day she woke up with out a fever!! Defintaly take your daughter to the DR, I would even call today if her fever prestists. My daughter hasn't eaten anything since her fever started, last night we got her to eat some ice cream! I am hoping today she will eat.
Good Luck, This was so stressful on my husband and I bc out little girl was never that sick before, she was so sad! I hope your little girl feels better! Hope this helps you some...

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T.W.

answers from Columbia on

I M., not sure if you have taken her back to the dr's but just wanted to share this. My sister had a viral upper respitory infection. There were really no antibotics that would clear it up. It had to work it self out, they gave her med's to treat the symptoms. You may want to ask about that. Good Luck.

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M.J.

answers from Charleston on

Hi,
I'm on the same page as Donna H. She really needs to boost her immune system. So many people believe that fevers are bad and that if they get too high they will cause the child to have heatlh problems such as seizures. The fact of the matter is fever's are good for us, it is your bodies way of getting something bad out of it. The reason it cant get out and keeps reaccuring is because of all the medicine shoved in. Dont get me wrong, there are times when you need to react but not at this level. I personally would not worry about a fever of 101. When a child's immune system is supressed and its spine is misaligned then it will have a fever every time. Its a way of saying I need some help. I am a chiropractor and I can tell you that children respond wonderfully to our care and rid problems like this in no time. I would look around and get her checked by a chiropractorr. I can let you know of a great on in your area if your interested. Best of luck to you and your baby!

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A.P.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi,M.! I have a 2 yr. old daughter who, on two separate occasions has had a very high fever (102) w/vomiting--but only vomits one time, so I know it's not a stomach bug. My pediatrician wasn't too concerned and said it was probably just her body reacting to the fever...and, that fevers are actually good, because it is the body adjusting its heat level to fight off an incoming infection. But, she had no other symptoms (didn't act like she was hurting anywhere and still had a good appetite). I just gave her Tylenol every 4 hrs. because she was whiny and acted like she just didn't feel good in general and it seemed to help. Both times this happened, the fever was gone within 48 hours, tops. However, if your little girl is crying when she urinates, that would be a tell-tale sign of a UTI. Good luck! :)

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C.M.

answers from Atlanta on

M.,

Sounds like STREP or mouth blisters, I can't remember the medical name for them. Smell her breath! I could laways tell when my children had strep because their breath smelled like ROTTEN FLESH. MY pedi thought I was crazy the first time I TOLD him they had strep. He said "And what makes you thing they have strep?" I told hime I smelled it on their breath. He was laughing out loud when he came back with the resluts and said, "Your right they have strep! How do you smell STREP!?!"

From that day on, I knew I trusted my instincts more that anything else. My sister's kids would throw up and their had back aches when they had strep. My children had deadly bad breath!

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D.W.

answers from Charleston on

ITA with MJ and Donna. Time to work on fixing her immune system. I generally use garlic instead of antis. Also, if I suspect a UTI I take two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar. Vitamin C (Emergen-C) and Probiotics are great tools, also. If you suspect UTI, vit. C can help, too.

Fevers do a body good. (My daughter usually get a fever of 103 for about 24 hours, then she's better.) Hope your babe is feeling better soon.

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J.J.

answers from Augusta on

When my daughter has mysterious fevers, I sometimes notice a sign of teething. You also need to make sure there isn't an allergic reaction. I just learned recently that jaw tightening can be a sign of an allergic reaction. Who knew! Also, many people get yeast infections while taking antibiotics. You may want to increase the intake of some type of yogurt product. I know several people that have to eat yogurt every day or take cranberry pills everyday to prevent an onset of the infection. Make sure your thermometer is giving you a correct reading. Usually vomiting during a fever means the fever is pretty high. Good Luck!

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