Is 103.5' temp a bad thing for a baby?

Question

My daughter keeps getting a fever of 103.5' tylenol barely brings it down (to 99 or 100). She has been sleeps a lot and cries "ma ma". I called the doctor says she fine... is she really? Why is that so hard to believe?

ALSO how come I just earned 26 points for asking this question. I thought you loose points?

Last time I took her to the ER (a month ago for a 103' temp they sent me home... said "no big deal")

The doctore wont see me... she says it's normal.

Answer 1

I would get a second opinion if I were you. While the doctor may be right, usually if the fever cannot be brought down to a normal level it indicates an infection that needs antibiotics.

To help her during this time until you see the doctor:

*keep her dressed in cool clothing
*give her a cool (luke-warm)bath
*keep the room she is in cool, but not too coold
*put a cool wet cloth on her forehead
*give her plenty of water to drink

Answer 2

Get your baby to another doctor. 103 is not a good temperature for anyone. A high temp. means your body is fighting off an infection usually. Though if they are teething, babies will usually run a slight temp.

If the temperature gets too high, the body goes into convulsions.

When my son would have a high temperature I'd give him a cool bath. Wetting his head slightly also. That would help cool him off and bring down the temp. a bit. You don't want the water cold cold either. Afterwards, take the temperature a time or two again and watch the progress.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/childrenfever.htm
When is a fever critical?

Look at your child and use common sense. Do they look exhausted or ill? Are they behaving differently? If the answer is yes, call the doctor. You should also call your doctor if:


you have a young child, less than three months old, who runs a high fever.


your child cries and cries, without you being able to comfort them, and doesn't wake up easily.


your child has a temperature over 38ºC (101.3ºF) for more than three days.


your child has just had an operation.


your child doesn't seem to be getting better.

Answer 3

It is not a good thing for a child of any age to have a temp that high, but especially if she is very young. If she is also lethargic and crying alot then she obviously does not feel well. I would first try a cool/luke warm bath. If that doesn't help, call the dr. back 1 more time and explain to him/her that your child is lethargic (sleepy a lot), crying a lot and very uncomfortable. Also be sure to tell him/her that the meds are only holding the temp down for a short time and that it doesn't go completely away. If he still thinks she is ok, I would very seriously consider another dr.

It could be a number of things and your dr. could be right...she may be fine and just have a little bug or something, but high fevers in children can sometimes cause seizures if not treated and I would rather be safe than sorry.

Hope your little one feels better! Good luck.

Answer 4

well, first , you want to stop giving her tylenol- that stuff does permanant liver damage and God only knows what else. If she is constantly getting fevers there is a reason for that- it could be an infection , it could be something else very simple.
I am highly against giving antibiotics- it is becoming more and more apparant even to the conventional doctors how damaging this is. Two things I suggest- find a really good chiropractor- (I know doesn ot seem to make sense - but trust me- I have seen some amazing things cured through GOOD chiropractic care and if you think about EVERY single function of your body is controlled by your brain and EVRY message is sent through your central nervous system which is protected and encased by your spine- when that is out of whack it affects things you would never imagine- most chiropractors will treat babies and if you find a good one they may be able to tell you why- also talk to a homeopathic doctor about what you could give her to deal with any infections she might have or other reasons she may be having fevers.

If she is getting these fevers regularly- you should expect more from your doctor than "she is fine" without even having examined her!

Answer 5

if the baby gets the fever repeatedly (temp returns to normal for a day or so and then it comes back) that is definitely a major problem. If it is an occasional fever (temp goes back up within a couple hours and returns after the Tylenol wears off) then i would just take her to the doctors office or urgent care and have her checked out to make sure it isn't a major problem. I have 3 kids myself and i start to worry when their temps get over 101.5.

If your doctor still doesn't want to do any thing get a new doctor now!!!

Answer 6

A fever that high needs to be looked at if tylenol isn't helping it. If her doctor keeps saying she's fine, bypass him, and go to the ER. A high fever in babies can be any number of things, but the part you need to worry about is that if it remains high, she can have a seizure.

Bath her in cool (not cold!) water, get some tylenol into her again, as well as some motrin. You can alternate using them. I think it's every 6 hours for both, so you give her one now, and in 3 hours you give her the other, back and forth, back and forth. That will help keep her temp down.

Answer 7

Baby Temp 103.5

Answer 8

Babies are more likely to have fevers than older children. It's normal. Just make certain that she doesn't carry that 103+ fever for long periods of time. Babies often carry fevers with infections that clear up on their own. 103 would be very high for an older child, or an adult, but if the doctor says that she is okay, then she probably is.

Answer 9

A 103.5 temp is not normal for anyone. You need to switch doctors. Your child is in danger of having a seizure and other problems could arise then. You should also be using Advil to bring down her temperature. It tends to work better on fevers. Your daughter probably has some infection her body is trying to fight off which is why she has the temperature. Please have her blood checked, her ears checked, and once that's done you should have a better course of action to take.

Answer 10

I would take her to another doctor.. babies have fevers for a reason.. there is something going on that her body is fighting off. My daugher kept having fevers like that for two weeks and they couldn't find out what was wrong with her.. they finallydid a urine culture and found a UTI (urinary tract infection) which young babies shouldn't be having at their age they went and did some more testing and found out that she has type two reflux, which is where when she pees her urine flows back up into her kidneys then back down.. doctors don't know everything only you know if your daughter has something wrong.. There is something wrong and keep taking her to the doctor and if they don't listen take her to another..