1 YR OLD had had fever of 102 for 3 days- how dangerous is that?

Question

he has an ear infection and started antibotics today, but after 2 doses he still has a fever! We are worried that it is still around 102.
Is this dangerous?
When should the antibotics kick in?

Answer 1

Call the Hospital and have ur Doc paged then tell them that he's had two doses and still has a fever...more than likely they will tell you to keep an eye on it and if its not down by in the morning or if it goes up high to bring him to the emergency room. Meanwhile give him some Childrens Tylenol ( i wouldn't recommend Motrin for at least another year).

Answer 2

My oldest child literally had an ear infection from the time he was 6 months old until he was 2 years old. Then he went thru 2 sets of tubes and an eardrum replacement surgery. He is now 8 years old and we still fight SEVERAL ear infections a year. I consider myself a pro at ear infections. Give the antibiotics at least 24 full hours to build up a little in your child's system and begin working. Also, do NOT give anything to dry up the runny nose that a lot of times accompany an ear infection. Within the past few years they have found that giving a decongestant while an ear infection is present thickens fluid in ear and actually prolongs infection. My son was miserable and inconsolable until 2-3 days after being on the antibiotics. Also, very important, go back to the doctor and make absolutely sure that the infection is COMPLETELY clear. If you don't or if the infection is not COMPLETELY gone, you could be like me and be at the doctor every 2 and 1/2 to 3 weeks. Good luck mama, I feel for you. It is so hard when they just can't be comforted and the ears make them so very miserable. But it gets better quickly.

Yes, fever can cause seziures, but we are talking about a relatively low fever. Seziere calling fevers are like the 108 fever my ex-huband's little brother had and did have seziures and is not quite right today. But you people need to stop with this and think about what you are saying. You are probably scaring this lady to death.

I just looked up the website below. I suggest all parents read it. Or at least those that know it all and are telling this lady that her child is going to be mentally retarded or go into a coma or worse.

Answer 3

102 is not very high at all. I don't give my children ANY Tylenol or Mortrin until it is OVER 101.5. Your baby is young and although he does have an ear infection his fever could be couple with Teething.

However, I am suprised that the doctor didn't tell you to give him motrin or tylenol for his fever. It will take about 24 to 32 hours for you to notice if the antibotic is doing it's job. That is the first thing I give my kids when I even suspect an ear infection. (tylenol or motrin)

And I always start my kids on there meds the day they go to the doctor, I NEVER wait until the next full day. The sooner they start taking the meds the sooner they will feel better.

Answer 4

It's NOT dangerous. Don't listen to these people who are telling you it is.

Our three-year-old gets febrile seizures. And EVERY time she catches ANYTHING, she runs a fever. It's not at all unusual for her to have a temp of 102. Sometimes she hits 106. It's actually not the level of the temp that triggers the seizures, but how quickly her temp goes up. So we have to watch her closely.

But at 102, you don't have to worry too much.

Dress him comfortably, in light clothing.

You can also give him a bath in warm, not hot and not cold, water. You don't want to increase the temperature, and you don't want to cause shivering, which will ALSO increase his temp. (Don't EVER add anything like rubbing alcohol to the bath water. It can be very dangerous if ingested or inhaled.)

You can alternate doses of Tylenol and Motrin. This will ease the pain in his ear AND reduce the fever. (Give a dose of Motrin, wait 3-4 hours, then give a dose of Tylenol. Repeat.)

You don't need to bring his temp down to normal. And some pediatricians will say that you don't need to treat a fever under 102 at all. Watchful waiting is perfectly OK, unless he's completely miserable.

It can take 48 hours for the antibiotics to kick in.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Babies don't have the capability of regulating their temperature until they are about 5 years old. They will have fevers that sky rocket in the shortest time. Tyelenol every 4 hours, cool drinks, don't worry if they are off their milk or food as long as they can keep an adequate fluid intake and are having wet diapers. I used to take as many as 5 cool baths a day with my daughter. Just get into the tub with the baby and sit and play until the water is completely cold and you are both wrinkled LOL!! AC/fan (not directly on the child though.
This too shall pass.
Sometimes they can have febrile seizures and that can be a problem if they don't stop, so try and avoid that by cooling methods.

Answer 6

I'm not sure why others are saying a fever is dangerous. A fever is the body's way of fighting infection. Doctors are not usually concerned about a temp of 102. You might want to ask your doctor or check out reputable medical sources.

Answer 7

Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms. But how high a fever is doesn't tell you much about how sick your child is. A simple cold or other viral infection can sometimes cause a rather high fever (in the 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38.9 to 40 degrees Celsius, range), but doesn't usually indicate a serious problem. Please see the link below for more information.

Answer 8

I realize that your child started an antibiotic and it sometimes can take up to 24 hours for it to start working. I would say to give tylenol and motrin alternating them every 4 to 6 hours. If the fever is not down by the time the dr's office opens in the morning - call them. I hope your child starts feeling better soon.

Answer 9

My daughter is 15months now but a week before she turned one she had a febrile seizure caused from an ear infection. It was caused because the temp went from normal to 103 in a snap of your fingers. Her doc told me that it takes a temp of 107 to be brain damaging to an infant. But I would suggest switching back and forth between Motrin and Tylenol. If that doesn't work ask your doc about a Tylenol suppository, its not the most pleasant thing but it brought my daughters temp down in like 20-30 Min's. Also try to keep your baby hydrated.

Answer 10

Fever is dangerous because it can cause seizures. If I were you, I would take him to the hospital. The antibiotics should have kicked in by the second day, since they haven't it's possible that he got the wrong dosage, or was even misdiagnoised. Better safe than sorry!