My 8 year old son has been running a fever for 2 days. It was 104.2 two hours ago....I gave him motrin (I've been piggybacking with Tylenol) and a cool bath, and his fever is down to 102.6
Is that enough of a difference in 2 hours? Is it normal for kids this old to get such a high temp? Should I call his pedi? It's almost 10 pm here....will they think I'm over-reacting?
2006-07-31 14:44:55 · 34 answers · asked by Tracy 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
YES call his pediatrician! If a young child's fever reaches 101 or above, it's time for a doc to take over. You're off to a good start, but it may be something serious causing the fever. Call the after hours number, take him to the ER if you have to, but don't just sit there!
2006-07-31 14:52:23 · answer #1 · answered by welches_grape_jelly 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course everyone will have a different idea, so call the on call dr and see as only he and you know your childs history. Parents do tend to panic about fevers in children, though as long as he has been keeping hydrated, and the temp is coming down even for a few hours...this is very normal for children of his age. The biggest issue and panic of a fever is the dehydration NOT fever...fever just shows you that his body is actually fighting infection. Some parents fear brain damage, again a fever would have to be well over 107 for this to even be an issue. Fevers from infection will usually never go above 105 in children.
Look on line for ANY site about children and fevers and talk to your dr..Im sure will read the same!
Just hang in there Mom, you are doing all the right things :)
2006-07-31 15:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by my1215boo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anytime that your child has a over 100 for more than three days, at his age, you need to take him to the doctor. A cold takes 7-10 days to run it's cycle. However, because of the persistent high fever and the report of pain on his right side take him to the doctor IMMEDIATELY! You are the mommy and you have to do what is best...don't try to negotiate with a 3 year old...you will not win.
2016-03-27 11:20:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
102.6 is still a pretty high fever. I would call the doctor. Don't worry about whether or not the pedi thinks you are overreacting; doctors have chosen a profession that opens them up to round-the-clock questions and any decent doctor would rather have you call them than avoid doing so. I'm sure there is one doc on-call who can advise you about what to do. Or, if your insurance company has a "dial-a-nurse" hotline, he or she could advise you on what to do.
It's probably a great sign that the fever has decreased so much, but your son could have an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
2006-07-31 14:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by Jenna A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you can't get his fever down and make it stay down then it's a sign of some sort of infection somewhere. Children at this age usually suffer from ear infections, it could be the 1st stages of a flu virus. If you let the temperature to high the child could go into convulsions. Ask the child where he hurts the most. He needs emergency room treatment anyway. You've done what you can and if you wait to long the consequences could be negative.
2006-07-31 15:05:46 · answer #5 · answered by LARRY P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go ahead and call his doctor. 104 fever is way to high. If it gets too high he could go into seizures. You can put a cool rag on his forehead and keep it there. I'm not sure if your suppose to do this but you could touch his pressure points with ice just for a second or two. But you don't want to bring it down too fast. My son had the same thing a little while back and all this is what I had to do.
2006-07-31 14:52:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should call the pediatrician immediately and/or take him to the ER. He is too old to have this high of a fever. It sounds like a bacterial infection. Do not wait any longer. He could have a strep infection- all kinds of things..........This is definitely not an over reaction......Whenever you have to alternate Tylenol with Motrin, you should call the doctor.
2006-07-31 14:57:15 · answer #7 · answered by kskwwjd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What would it hurt to call his doctor? Better safe than sorry...and you will have more peace about it after you talk to a nurse/doctor. I think it's normal for an 8 year olds to get that high. I have a 10 month old that was running a 103-4 temp. and that was really scary, so I know how you feel!
2006-07-31 14:55:29 · answer #8 · answered by Cal0507 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that isn't enough of a difference. You should take him with a 104. My son used to get fevers like that when he was constipated and he was once we had to take him in for a 104 and they had to put him on an IV to get him properly hydrated before it actually broke. So try and remember anything that could have happen or not happen over the last 48 hours and take him in.
2006-07-31 14:59:46 · answer #9 · answered by mrs.moogie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that temp is still a little high after 2 hours. I would call his pedi or do you have like a 24 hour nurse link. You can call and ask them questions and they will tell you what to do or refer you to someone.
2006-07-31 14:51:23 · answer #10 · answered by nchicago54 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋