What illness might my son have? He has had a fever for 7 days now. He is 6.?

Question

He started with a fever on Friday 11/10. We took him to the doctor on Monday11/13, because it had been more than 3 days. He had a congested cough for over a week before the fever showed up. The dr. said that fevers show up at the beginning of an illness, so that is strange to him that it came after the cough. Also, he said that you don't catch 2 things at once. He put him on antibiotics, just in case.

Now it is Thursday, and he still has the fever. It will go down with Tylenol, and he feels and acts much better, but it keeps coming back. He also has not had much of an appetite since Friday. Not even for girl scout cookies or Halloween candy.

The only other symptoms are mild. He's not to specific, and they are not there all the time. He complains of a headache, and belly ache. The headache is probably just from lying around, and the belly is probably hungry.

We're off to the dr. again today, but I just wondered if anyone else had an opinion. Thanks!

Answer 1

He probably has one of the many passing viruses that children get. Antibiotics will not help a virus and you can only treat the symptoms. Actually, antibiotics when not needed can be detrimental as he will build up a resistance to them.
Also, though it isn't likely that he caught two illnesses at once it is possible that and illness can develop into a secondary infection. Many ear infections and other respiratory infections start out as a common cold or even an allergy. Your doctor should know this.
Along with what you are already doing make sure he has plenty of fluids, too. It sounds like it is losing its grip and he will be okay but as a parent you definitely have a right to worry. Something else that can help the cough is steam. Bring him in the bathroom and turn on the shower full hot - don't let him touch it but just have him take deep breaths. That should help break up the congestion.
It is good to have a pediatrician that is open to seeing your child every time you are worried - just make sure they listen to you, too.
Hope he's better soon.

Answer 2

Hey Jilly...
First of all...WHY...on Gods Green Earth...would his Dr give your lil man ANTIBIOTICS...as a "JUST IN CASE"??!! GRRRRRRR!
If your son has a "VIRAL" infection, which CAN cause a fever...then "Antibiotics" will NOT help AT ALL! Rather, it will cause him to become IMMUNE to THAT antibiotic & possibly even, if my mind serves me correctly, MOST ALL or ANY antibiotics, thus making treatment DIFFICULT when he REALLY needs one, so if he really needs THAT specific medication later on in life...it WONT WORK (or may not!) Grrrr!
You also stated that his Dr said..."You Dont Catch 2 Things At Once"? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT DUDE??? :O
Lord know's I dont have "MD" behind my name but it dont take a degree to know that...You certainly CAN catch 2 things at once...it is called a "SECONDARY INFECTION"! What you cant do is like..."Catch The SAME Cold More Than Once". A "Different variation...yes! But the SAME ONE...NO!
I say your baby man needs a NEW PEDIATRICIAN! :/

I dont know where your located, but, were here in Orlando Fla & there is a HORRIBLE flu bug thingie going around. Coughing, Sneezing, Sore Throat, Congestion, Chest Infection, Headache, Fever, Lethargy, Loss Of Appetite, Etc...It is mostly VIRAL. Both of MY baby men had it. (tho my 13 yr old was misdiagnosed by a "Walk~In Urgent Care Clinic"!)

How high is his temp getting? I am a "MOTRIN" kinda mommie.
If his temp gets TOO high & it is too soon for his next dose of Tylenol...you can do the "MOTRIN/ TYLENOL" switch. THAT is what I have been doing for YEARS with my babies. (I have 6 kids)
Here is how...in case you havn't heard of it...
Motrin at 12:Noon...4 hours later, TYLENOL. 2 hours after that, MOTRIN, and so on & so on. (this was he is getting the meds every 4~6 hours as indicated on the bottle) THAT is how I have ALWAYS done it, however, with them being sick this time (age 8 & 13)...the ER & their DR said to do the switch like this...
12:Noon...MOTRIN. "2" hours later...TYLENOL. "2" hours later...MOTRIN. "2" hours later...TYLENOL...and so on...
Again, keeping the medicine in him EVERY 4 to 6 HOURS still.
***USE THIS METHOD ONLY IF YOU CANT BRING "DOWN" HIS
FEVER***Otherwise, the regular dosing will be sufficient. ;)
HINT: Write down each time you administer the meds (Time & Dose)...just so that there are NO questions & NO chance of "Overdose". ;)

Lastly...there IS a chance of your baby man developing
something...after his original diagnosis, if he was diagnosed with...say a "Virus". (dont recall your saying what his diagnosis was? I am assuming Viral?)
I STILL say that the "Just In Case Antibiotics" was DUMB & STUPID & VERY UNPROFESSIONAL & Yea! Cause, as an example, say he later develops an..."Ear Infection"...you might think that the antibiotic that "Good Ol Doc" (sarcasm) gave him would "Cover It"...? NOT! The reason...Different Antibiotics work for Different Infections.
EXAMPLE: If his Dr gave him...CEPHALEXIN (generic for Keflex), and your lil guy developes say...an "Ear Infection"...then the CEPHALEXIN will NOT WORK! Cephalexin (Keflex) is used to treat "SKIN type INFECTIONS"!
Do you understand what I am saying?

I wish your baby man all the best in a quick recovery!
Hang in there Mommie...your doing a WONDERFUL job there!
Good Luck at the appt your going to, or, are already at. LOL

Answer 3

Something that I have learned in the past is that when the fever keeps coming back let it go and not give anything for it unless it reaches like 104 small children can get fevers that high and not hurt them the body is trying to fight off the infection and thats it's main defense. By keeping the fever down it is only prolonging the process. You need to ask your doctor about this. I found this info on webmd website.

Answer 4

Has he complained of a sore neck or shown that it's hard to turn his head?

Could be a virus. My Dr. said there was a virus going around where you spiked high fevers for several days and when the fever broke the child would break out in a rash.

Answer 5

Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or neck. Headaches can be
caused by minor problems like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more
serious reasons like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can have harmful side
effects, so it is better to modify your lifestyle. More information
available at http://tinyurl.com/q8696

Answer 6

Seems to me that if the fever does not go down with antibiotics then this is viral. Viruses must take their course. Antibiotics will not cure a viral infection.

Answer 7

Try taking him to a different doctor, it is possible to be sick with two or more different illnesses or ailments at once, this doctor doesn't sound very good.

Answer 8

Get a second opinion as soon as possible. Something is obviously wrong with your little boy.