Baby has had fever for 6 days !!! What should I do?

Question

I don't know what to do. My 12 month old has had cold like symptoms for over a week and started running a high fever of 104 degrees Monday, we gave him tylenol and it went down but would rise again after just a few hours.
On Tues. we took him to the ER where no tests where done. The doc listened to his lungs looked in his ears and said it looks good so far. He said his throat looks like there may be puss so it's probably strep. He took no strep test. He gave the baby a shot of antibiotic that starts with an r but I cant spell it. I think it sounds like ro*ze*then*ol and prescribed zithromax.
The fever and all symptoms remained the same with the exception of the side effects of antibiotic which included diahrrea and an out of control yeast infection.
Friday night (lastnight) I took him to a different ER convinced the first doc didn't get the diagnosis right. The second doc said it's uncommon for babies of this age group to get strep and it cannot be diagnosed without a strep test. He ordered a blood culture and a chest x-ray. x-rays are good, chest is clear. He says he doesn't see anything life threatning goin on here but we nned to give him a shot of antibiotic (the same one the first doc gave him). I told him he just got that shot tues why are doing this again saturday? He explained that sometimes when people come in to the ER for one illness they will often leave with another contracted while in the waiting room.
I don't agree with giving baby more antibiotic but I allow it, I also followed the second docs advise about not giving baby any more of the zithromax that the first doc prescribed.
Today (day six) he woke up with a fever again, and again I have to constantly give him alternating doses of motrin and tylenol to keep it down. The only change in baby's condition is that now he is wetting his diaper once every 7-10 hours and it's not much. He's not eating so good. He's always hated juice and solid foods but aside from 6 oz of formula I was able to force down only 20cc of apple juice. Hubby is bringing pedialite which will also be forced down buy holding his arms down and holding his head while we push the fluid in his mouth with a medicine dispenser.
I don't know what else to do.
When is enough actually enough? The second doc did say for me to return if his fever doesn't go away in 2 days. But that is EXACTLY what I was doing there, following up since the fever hadn't gone down.
Taking him to his ped. doc isn't an option. My husband changed jobs so we've moved and the old heath insurance is gone as of 10-31-06 and new one becomes effective Jan 2, 2007.
We will greatly appreciate any help with this situation!

Taking him to his reg doc is not an option, we have moved to another state. Money isn't the issue of taking him to a regular doctor. IT'S SATURDAY. Ya get it now?

Let me clarify, he has not maintained a temp of 104 for six days. If I do not alternate between tylenol and motrin then it will go up as high as. I'm watching sleep now and it breaks my heart. I feel like I'm failing him, and he's depending on me. I'm so glad that I'm getting some feed feedback it lets me know I'm not over-reacting. This is a desperate situation!

JUST GOT BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL AT 2 AM THIS MORNING.

Answer 1

My son had a cold for over 14 days and finally it turned into an ear infection..the first cold they gave him amoxicillin which helped w/ his ears and the second cold, he had mucus in his lungs so they gave him omnifex (high antibiotic) which has only been 4 days and it has cleared up..but they need to do some more tests if his temp is 104 and it has been going on for some while now. Try a warm humidifier, OJ, and keep him in the same temp of air..DO NOT take him from the warm humidifier to the outside (could lead to pnemomna)

Answer 2

Fever In Child For 6 Days

Answer 3

I'm sure you are a mess. will you child eat a pop of pedialite? I hate to say go back to the er but sounds like the only choice. I believe that 104 fever is not as dangerous to a child as it is to an adult, but it still is not good. Is the baby sleeping a lot trying to fight the infection. Wetting once in 7-10 hours is not good at all. Take child back to Dr. Sorry. I wish you the best of luck. Hope the baby feels better.

Answer 4

hi i have 2 kids that seem to get sick often and i ave a friend who helps out alot because her daughter has had some problems like that. first of all that high of a fever is scary. my daughter had a temp of 103 and they admitted her into the hospital until it went down and she was 11months their brains can start frying at 104 so it is very important to try everything to keep his fever down . my friend told me to not give them a blanket or have any clothes on no matter how cold they look because all that will do is keep the fever in. now you could mybe see if ur child has neumonia ( thats what her nephew just had and thye couldnt tell until after test either he went about 2 weeks with an on and off fever) also her daughter got thr rotovirus when she was about a year old and she kept going to the emergency and they kept sending her home and telling her to alternate too well come to find out when her daughter almost died because of it they finally ran test and found that she did have the rotovirus but she was vomitting and had dirreah too but her fever was extremely high,. another thing to look at is an infection in their blood which she has alos been through and they need to run blood test that alone will tell them alot.

Answer 5

I didn't read your entire question (much too long for 2 points)...but I suggest you get a second opinion. Doesn't matter if you have no money you still somehow have to get the child to the doctor and get something to bring his fever or you will be responsible for not being a responsible parent. They say for adults to "feed a cold and starve a fever". What they mean by that is for the child to drink more liquids (but still they need food). And, maybe there is a tylenol or baby aspirin regimen you could give the child to try to bring down the fever. You need to ask a doctor or a nurse. Call your county nurse and ask for help. Ask how to get an appointment (you have to arrive there and be 1-10 in line or they will not see you that day). Usually their medical center is adjacent to the place where you apply for assistance. If you guys need your electric bill paid or one month's rent or medical apply for those there. They say the "squeaky wheel gets the oil"...so continue to bugg people till this matter gets resolved. Ask your or his family for help if you need it. Ask for food stamps if you need them, etc.

Fever should not go over 3 days or over a certain level. If it starts to escalate it will be very dangerous, so keep after those doctors. And take a friend with you for companionship and for remembering what the doctor said (on your behalf).

Answer 6

Your baby needs to be seen by competent PEDIATRIC doctor, and RIGHT NOW.

The fact that his fever has peaked at 104 for six days is very scary. That's high enough to risk permanent brain damage. Also scary is the fact that he's obviously severely dehydrated. That will not only risk brain damage, but also organ damage and even death.

This is one time when you can't worry about the debt you'll incur by going to a doctor without having health insurance. If your child is permanently injured (or even dies from) this illness, will it comfort you to know that at least you don't have any medical bills?

Please, please, please take him to another ER, or a clinic, or his pediatrician.... just go SOMEwhere and insist that the doctors there take you seriously. Do not accept another round of antibiotics until the doctor gives you an actual diagnosis.

Answer 7

Well i understand the no insurance thing been there done that, but he is running a fever and that's a sign something's wrong. If i was you i would take him back to the er and demand them find the cause of why he's been running a fever that high off and on for 6 days and being that he's not urinateing that much he's dehydrated and needs fluids anyway. I know your probably frusrated and i can't blame you but take him back he really needs to be checked. God Bless and hope everything turns out okay..

Answer 8

Any fever in someone under 2 running over 24 hours should go to the doctor. Especially with diarrhea. The child is probably dehydrated, and fevers of 102 or higher can cause permanent brain damage. Get the child to the ER immediately.

Answer 9

Go back to the ER, or another ER keep going until someone listens to you. The wetting every seven hours is a sign of dehydration. What you could do at home is run a bath for your son with room temp water. Let him soak in it, while you take a rag and constantly drip the water all ove rhim. Get him back to an ER. ESP since he is not wetting that much.

I will pray for him.

Answer 10

Take him back to the ER or find an office that is open on Saturdays and take him there someone should take him especially if your paying for it. 104 is a dangerous temp for a little one and needs immediate action. I hope he starts to feel better soon, poor little guy.