My 7 year old, has. Fever since last night and says her throat hurts and chest, I give her some acethaminophen ...I believe is an infection because she hasn't' have fever since I can remember (last time maybe as a todler)... her pediatritian is on only tusdays and thursdays ...my question is ..is anything else that I can do to help her or should I take her to the hospital so they can give me antibiotics?? Her fever on the ear was 102.1 and under arm 100.5 this morning, she seems fine other than that and her throat hurting ....Leah....No problem breathing or congestion, thank-you.
I call the ped. today and the nurse told me to wait because fever has gone down since sunday afternoon, is around 99 right now not congestion or cough or nothing so she says is problably just a virus,
thank you so much for the advices.................
Maybe not the ER, but somehwere because she needs a strep test. Kids can get over strep without antibiotics but with possible devastating repercussions ranging from effects to the heart to effects to the brain after their immune system revs up to attack the strep. So, that is one bacteria we always want to treat with antibiotics.
Take her to the ER. She could have strep throat. You don't want to let that go.
Do you have a minute clinic anywhere? They are usually open on the weekends. Otherwise, I would probably take her in, especially since she is saying her chest hurts. Is she having trouble breathing?
Just go to a CVS minute clinic for a strep test. This will be much faster and cheaper than the ER. They can do a strep test on her. If its not strep it is most likely viral so be cautious about antibiotics b/c they won't help in that case.
Just for helping with throat pain, drink grape juice and gargle salt water if they can. This sounds like strep so take them to an urgent care facility.
I'd go to pediatrician office asap! You physician should have an associate in the office and then your child's chart is already there. If there is no associate at the office you visit, then call the office number and follow their directions. Your pedeiatrician either has another location they work from on the other days or has a referral process for the remainder of the week. It's required by law that your physician have these types of instructions for you. It's called continuity of care. If they do not then you need to find a new MD soon and utilize the ER now. If your child is in need of antibiotic, waiting only means worse infection and longer recovery, not to mention risk of it being too far gone to the point of needed hospitalization.
Hope you little one is well soon.
-mb
Yes, she should get a strep test if it doesn't go away pretty fast (though I agree--not in the emergency room), but there has been a nasty sore throat virus going around here this winter. Mine started with fever, chills, aches and pains, but strep test was negative. I had a severe sore throat for a week and slowly developed congestion and a horrible cough. So . . . if strep test is positive, antibiotics should help. If negative, go for all of the home care tips you've already gotten. :) No fun.
Take her to a minute clinic or urgent care place. She could have strep and it's dangerous if left untreated.
I'd keep giving her fluids and a cool cloth on the head and a cool bath to keep the fever at bay. Take her to prompt care tomorrow if her throat is still sore. I just had a bad cold that started out with one side of my throat being sore..... but it was just a cold, not strep. Throats get dry when nasal isnt working right. Sore throat lasted 2 days then went to total full blown head cold. Seems this bug is lasting about 10 days from start to finish. I've been around others that have had the same thing recently.
Get a flashlight and look in her throat. Spots usually mean Strep, they can be on the roof of the mouth too. Have her gargle warm salt water - about one tsp salt for 1/2 cup water - garlge and spit about 4 times in a row and do this 4 times per day. Salt is a natural disenfectant and can also sooth the pain.
