what can i do about 102 degree fever?

Question

my six month old has 102 degree for past 24 hours, took her to the afterhours clinic, no ear infection or sore throat, doctor said it was a "febrile illness", told me to go home and give plenty of fluids and give tylenol, she does not take the tylenol well, she gags when i give it to her and then throws up, she is eating well and keeping the majority of her food down, i have been using a pacifier despenser for her medicine, we have also been giving lukewarm baths around the clock, her fever does break but in 3 or 4 hours it starts to climb again, has anyone else experienced a similar situation? please help!

Answer 1

I have 3 daughters. A fever of 102 is not that uncommon and you'll get used to it. I dealt with many fevers especially with my oldest daughter. She has an autoimmune disease and had many high temps. Some reaching 106. It was a very scary time!!! When she had the high temps she was usually cold. But, as you know we shouldn't dress them warm when they have a fever. I would leave her in her diaper and lightly wrap her in a sheet to keep her comfortable. When her fever would reach very high I would dampen the sheet to cool her down and she would still stay comfortable after the initial shock of the dampness. I would also feed her pop-cycles with a spoon and that helped.
Medicine: I would use the dropper for her medicine. If you squeeze it in her cheek toward the back of her throat you'll have a better chance of her swallowing without gagging. I know these times are scary. Everything should be fine. I'll pray for her to get well. Good luck and God bless!

One more thing... I just read an answer that told you to give her a COLD bath. Please don't do that! That will only cause her misery and possible shock. Just thought I'd add that. Thanks

Answer 2

I would recommend holding off on solid food for now and just give breastmilk or formula. They don't need solid food for nutrition at this age and she's at an increased chance for dehydration. I would also use caution with the luke warm baths. Warm baths would be better. The concern is that if she gets too cold and her body starts to shiver, it can actually make her fever go higher. When you shiver it's you bodys way of using muscle contractions to increase your body temperature. A fever is actually a good thing providing it doesn't go too high. It's the bodys way of fighting the infection. Keep monitoring it, try to give tylenol and if it goes higher than 102 take her back to the doctor. It will pass. God Bless

Answer 3

My son was just in the ER first thing tuesday morning (his 1st b-day) He woke up screaming, I took his temp and it was 102.5. MY husband and I rushed him to the ER. They told me he had an ear infection and sore throat.
We got home at 6am. I gave him tylenol every 4 hrs and motrin every 6 hrs. (dr's orders) He was ok until 7pm when I took his temp again it was 104.6. I was scared to death! We took him to our dr's office, he had blood work done. Come to find out he has "Roseola" It is a viral infection. The symptoms are a very high fever for 3-4 days then a rash all over the trunk of his body.

We went back to the dr this morning because he had been throwing up. The dr said it is normal, make sure he drinks alot of fluids. My son slept all day, got up for a few hours tonight and went back to sleep about an hr ago.

You may want to ask you're dr if that is what you're daughter has.

Also, I was told to give my son a cool bath, not hot and not cold. We let him sit in the tub for 20 minutes. It brought his high fever down w/ in that 20 minutes

Good Luck

Answer 4

Put the medicine in her bottle and mix it in with her formula or breastmilk. If she's strictly nursing right now, put the dropper in the corner of her mouth, and squeeze it and let the medicine slowly run down the inside of her cheek. This way it won't go straight back to her throat and gag her.

If she's six months old, she can start taking Children's Motrin now. When my two boys would get high(ish) fevers, their pediatrician said to alternate the two. Motrin every six hours and Tylenol every for. For example:

7:00 a.m. - Motrin
1:00 p.m. - Tylenol
5:00 p.m. - Motrin
11:00 p.m. - Tylenol

Answer 5

It's scary, I know. The pacifier dispencer may be too large for her tiny mouth. Put it in a dropper, and give her a couple of gas drops after the tylenol to help sooth her tummy. Keep up the tylenol and sponge baths. It will improve.

Answer 6

Wow for over 24 hours? that is too much.. listen the first thing you have to do is give her a COLD bath.. inmediately!! the feber has to come down or she can develop meningitis, she is very little and such temperature can be dangerous for her health, specially put some water over her head just be careful that the water doesnt get in her eyes or mouth, keep her with light clothes, you can use washclothes soaked in cold water and put them om her tummy and head...change them every time is needed. Keep trying giving her the baby tylenol and yes.. a lot of fluids, specially water or apple juice...As soon as the temperature comes down take her to the doctor for a checkup. Good luck and I hope she gets well soon!

Answer 7

When my kids were babies and they were running a fever I found a cool damp cloth held on the back of the neck helped. If her fever doesn't break for good over night though I would call your family doctor. Good luck, but remember, she will be fine.

Answer 8

Try getting your baby to suck on nipple not attached to bottle, as soon as sucking starts put medicine in and see if baby will take this way. My son is also 6 months and this is the only way he will take liquid meds. If temp remains high I would call your pediatrician, could be teething, but if anything would have lowgrade fever, Good luck.

Answer 9

My son has a fever now , and I'm a nurse . So as far as fevers go they're usually due to a viral illness , it's the bodys way of killing it , but tylonol doesn't work on all fevers , motrin (ibuprofin 600) works better for kids try that , and good luck

Answer 10

If you can't get her to keep the medicine down on her own, try mixing it in a small amount of formula. Definitely try Motrin because it lasts longer and you don't have to keep fighting her to take it. Also, there are cool patches made of a gel material to place on a child's forehead. I've used them with my children and it helps to calm them.