Some input please?

Question

I have a 10 month old with an ear infection, she had a fever of 104. The doctor said fevers are a good thing because it kills the infection, but im having a hard time accepting that. in my opinion a fever that high is NOT good. what do you think? oh and before you tell me to give her tylenol and a cool bath, ive already done that. and i cant go to another doctor, our insurance (military) doesnt cover it.

i did get an antibiotic, and have given her motrin, the antibiotic just hasnt kicked in yet, she just got it today

Answer 1

Any fever over 103 requires an ER visit, according to my son's pediatrician. Fevers that high are NOT. You may want to try to alternate between tylenol and motrin. Do the tylenol and then 4 hours later do the motrin. DO NOT cloth or keep the baby wrapped in blankets. Keep doing the luke warm bath until the fever drops. Also try put a cool damp cloth and put it on your baby's forehead and behind the neck area. Your main concern is to keep the baby's head a cool as possible. Failure to do so can result with functional impairments in the future.

You best bet is to seek the advice of a another doctor. Most doctors only charge about $75 for a consult.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THE PREVIOUSLY POSTED COMMENT ABOUT "SWEATING YOU CHILD"! TO THE MORON THAT SUGGESTED IT: ARE YOU RETARDED?! CALL ANY DOCTOR/HOSPITAL/CLINIC AND SEE WHAT THEY TELL YOU ABOUT THIS. DUMB@SS!

Answer 2

you are right, a fever of 104 is high- but what the doctor meant is that nothing(bacteria, etc.) can live in that kind of environment so it is actually helping her body fight off the infection

Until the antiobiotic kicks in - give her a dose of tylenol and then two hours later give her a dose of motrin, two hours later tylenol, etc until the fever breaks. This will make sure that she is getting a constant dose of fever reliver without over dosing since it is two different kinds of med - my doctor told me to do this when my daughter had a 104 fever

It will at least help her be more comfortable - other then that, just try to help her feel as comfortable as you can

Good luck - ear infections are not fun!

Answer 3

When my son got his two month shots the doctor said to take him in the emergency room if the temperature went over 107. He said that 104 is dangerous in older kids and adults, but for a baby they can handle it.

In the mean time just hang in there. The antibotics and meds will eventually kick in. And, both of you will start to feel better. But, if the meds don't kick it and her fever isn't going down or gets worse...take her to the ER.

A fever generally peaks in the night. So, make sure you check her every 1 to 2 hours. When my son had his shots I got up every hour to take his temperature. It was high, but didn't go over 100.3. If it had I would have given him a cool sponge bath.

Also, watch for signs of lathargy. This could indicate the infection will get worse before it gets better and you may have to go to the ER.

Insurance suck, medical pratices in this country are horrible!! I know...but, your child is worth the extra bucks if you need the services your insurance company won't provide.

Answer 4

Hi, fellow military here!
Yes, fevers can be good to some extent, I have two children myself and I know your pain with the whole Military doctor experience. I recommend sweating your child. Place him in those thermal pajamas and covering him with about 2-3 heavy blankets. Do this when he is asleep, I guarentee he will be fighting you if you don't. You will start seeing him sweat almost immediately since kids are naturally hotter than adults. In the morning you will notice his forehead and body completely soaked and the fever gone. Now the ear infections, he should already have some medicine for that, if not, go and get some. Ear infections should be watched constantly because it could develop into something much worse. Make sure that after each bath or romp in the pool you clean his ears with cotton balls and Q-Tips to dry his inner ear. Place cotton balls in his ears after they have been dried and let them sit for about an hour. Keeping his ears dry is the key. Good luck, contact me for more info at [e-mail]

Answer 5

An ear infection is really common for kids
My kids get them all the time
Tylenol does not work for my kis though
Kid motrin does though, very well or the things you put up the babies butt for fever. It is not good for a baby to have ahigh fevero for a long time
go talk to the pharmacist about dosage at the drugstore
in the mean time
light clothing
LOTS of fluids
and cool towel on the head adn neck

Answer 6

Fever is the body's natural reaction to fight off infection, so in that sense it is good. Although 104 is a little high(not to mention uncomfortable for the baby). I can not believe you did not get a prescription for an antibiotic to combat the infection though. Getting any sleep?

Answer 7

well my doc as always told me that anything over 101 and under a year is bad. I've been told to give tylenol and baby motrin, alternating every 2 hrs. so she gets one every 2 hrs. and that has always worked for bad fevers. They should have given you an antibiotic for the ear infection and that will help too.

Answer 8

Many parents fear fevers, damage from a fever will not occur unless the fever is over 107.6 degrees F (42C) for an extended period of time. Untreated fevers caused by infection will seldom go over 105 degrees,If your child has a seizure, with or without a fever, and has never had a seizure before, call your doctor or EMS immediately.

alternating Tylenol and Motrin does keep temperature down better in infants and small children than does either Tylenol or Motrin by itself.


Another old standby, which works quite well, is a lukewarm bath. The water must be lukewarm: if it's too cold, your child's body will reduce blood flow to the skin, and that may make his/her temperature go up rather than down. The proper temperature is whatever feels about the same as your skin does, and sponging your child with the water may work better than just putting him/her in the bath. (And never leave a child in the bath unattended!) It is also a good idea to give Tylenol or another anti-fever medicine before putting a child in the bath. Tylenol and other anti-fever medicines turn down the body's "thermostat" so that the body doesn't generate more heat while you are trying to take heat away with the bath. Therefore, the bath will work much better after Tylenol or another anti-fever medicine.

In most cases, a fever is the body's reaction to an acute viral or bacterial infection. It is not necessarily a dangerous condition. Rather, it is a sign that the body is defending itself against the infectious invader. Since viruses and bacteria do not survive as well in a body with an elevated temperature, fever is actually an ally in fighting infection. It is one of the ways in which the body defends and heals itself. An elevated temperature also increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and even increases their speed of response and enhances their killing capacity.

Generous amounts of fluids are essential to prevent dehydration. Keep a feverish child well hydrated. Offer fruit-juice popsicles, spring water, herbal teas, soups, and diluted fruit juices.

Ginger tea is especially effective against a fever associated with a cold, flu, or stomachache. It is most helpful for the child who tends to feel cold, especially in the hands and feet. To decrease chills and increase perspiration, snuggle your child under light covers after giving him the tea. Give your child 1/2 cup, four times daily, for one day. If your child finds the taste too pungent, mix the tea with fruit juice, or dilute it with water. If your child is over one year old, you can add a bit of honey to sweeten the tea.


If your child is running a low temperature, encourage him to rest in cool pajamas under a light sheet. Keep a watchful eye on him, and do not let him become chilled. A chill brings on shivering, which can increase the metabolic rate and cause the fever to escalate.


Sponging your child with warm water or having him soak in a tepid bath can help reduce a fever. Give your child a soothing herbal bath. Beneficial herbs can be absorbed through the skin. You can pour several cupfuls of fever-reducing tea into tepid bath water, or, if your child is uncomfortable and restless, prepare chamomilla tea and add several cupfuls of that to the bath. Allow your child to enjoy a leisurely soak.

Answer 9

My doctor had me alternate between Motrin and Tylenol - one every two hours until fever breaks. You might also try to put a warm washcloth in a sealed plastic bag and place over ear if she shows discomfort due to the ear. I feel for you. My son got his first ear infection at 6 months old. We went through two sets of tubes, and had an eardrum replaced and will have to have at least one more surgery. (Not trying to scare you. My son's inner ears aren't working correctly.) Good luck.

Answer 10

I agree, a fever that high is not good, especially in a baby that young! Are you alternating Tylenol and Motrin? You can give one every 4 hours.