What do I do for my 3 yr. if she has a 103.2 temp.?

Answer 1

Motrin works best for a high fever. Are there other symptoms? If the fever continues to rise, call the pediatrician. High fevers that come on suddenly are usually viral, but it wouldn't hurt to take him/her in tomorrow.

Answer 2

OK, you're getting a TON of bad answers. I hope you haven't already left for the ER, because that's a waste of medical resources and you aren't (from the symptoms you describe) facing a medical emergency.

A "fever" is when your child's temp is 100.4 or higher. Fever itself isn't bad--it's the body's way of fighting infection. And children tend to spike higher fevers than adults. Our pediatrician says, as a general rule, we don't need to treat fevers under 102 unless the kids are really uncomfortable.

Our oldest daughter runs a fever at the drop of a hat, and she also gets febrile seizures. It's not the temperature itself that causes seizures; it's how quickly the temperature increases. If your daughter is 103, but steady at 103, you're doing OK. Offer her fluids. You don't have to give Pedialyte (it's gross, and my kids won't drink it); water is fine. Or diluted Gatorade in a pinch. Give Motrin--it works better and the effect lasts longer. If you're really concerned, you can give Tylenol and Motrin at the same time, and then alternate them until the fever breaks. (i.e. both at 12, then Tylenol at 3, Motrin at 6, Tylenol at 9, Motrin at 12, etc). A cool washcloth to the head or the back of the neck can help. So can a warm (not hot, not cold) bath. (You don't want to cause shivering, which only makes the temperature increase more.) Put her in light layers of clothes, so she can bundle up more when chilled, and strip down when hot and sweaty.

That's the drill.

Kids can run fevers up to 106, and you are NOT risking brain damage. Most high fevers are caused by viruses, and every parent knows there isn't much a pediatrician can do for a virus. You just have to wait it out. (Now, if your child is experiencing neck pain or has other scary symptoms, then all bets are off and you need to talk to your on-call pediatrician right now.)

And Tylenol/Motrin will not bring a temp down to normal unless it was a very low grade fever in the first place.

Also, febrile seizures, while scary, are also not medically significant. You want to let the pediatrician know, and if this is your first one, it probably merits a trip to the ER or the doctor's office, but after that, you don't need to come in unless your child is very altered after the seizure (signs of dehydration) or the seizure lasts more than two minutes. (Our daughter's have gone on for as long as 8 loooooong minutes, but the docs tell us it's no big deal.)

Just keep her comfy. It's all you can do.

Answer 3

The doctor would be a good idea. Until you can get her there, use the fever reducer recommended by your doc (infant Tylenol or infant Advil etc.) and put her in a tub of body temp water and keep sponging her down. The evaporation will cool her off. DO NOT use cold water or rubbing alcohol as these can chill the child too much too quickly and cause convulsions.

Answer 4

Call your Dr give a cool bath and Tylenol (if she hasn't eaten anything don't give Motrin stick to Tylenol Motrin is harder on their tummies.)
...I just went through this with my 3 yr old...she had a viral infection. She spent 3 days in the hospital not for temp but for dehydration, so please make sure she has fluids. Alot of times temp goes up because of dehydration so keep a close eye on her. Signs of dehydration in children include

Dry mouth and tongue
No tears when crying
No wet diapers for 3 hours or more
Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
High fever
Listlessness or irritability
Skin that does not flatten when pinched and released

Answer 5

First thing you should do is call your doctor and ask for his advice.

Typically, higher temperatures in children are less threatening than in adults. However, if her fever is in conjunction with vomiting, cough, pain or anything else, she needs to be seen right away. You can try a tepid bath (not too hot and not too cold) or cool washcloths on her body to bring her fever down.

You can also try tylenol if your doctor has ok'd that. If he has and you want to verify the dosage and can't get your doctor right away, check with your pharmicist.

However, if you feel uncomfortable in any way, take her to urgent care. If you can't bring the fever down quickly, take her to urgent care.

Trust your intincts, you know you're child, if she's sick, you'll know, and it's always better to have her checked out.

www.sanemommy.com

Answer 6

first of all my kids have had higher. my oldest shot up to 105.4 before. first of all you need to try and bring it down. as long as she doesn't have a chest cold give her quick shower in warm water not cold. next dry her well and put her pjs on. don't let her get a chill will make her body try to warm up quickly and raise the temp. If she has a cough/congestion don't shower her but take cool wet washclothes and wipe her back, neck, face, forehead, arms, hands. feet are ok too. try to get her to eat popsicles or something cold. that will help cool the insides hence drop the temp. you also need to make sure you are alternating the tylenol and motrin. it will work better and faster. you can also call your dr --telephone service will have him call you back-- while you are doing this.. my dr always told me I knew what I was doing but if they shot up again to bring them to the er if not just come in the next morning. my prayer are with your little girl

Answer 7

take all her clothes off and put a cool washcloth on her forehead and give her some tylenol and plenty of liquids if it doesnt go down i would recommend you take her to her doctor if not to the emergency room because that temp is awfully high

Answer 8

Give her tylenol, a luke warm bath, and call her doctor... (the bath should only take about 10-15 min before she'll get to be too cold) if her fever doesn't break, you may need to get her checked out.

Answer 9

take her to the er the dangerous temp is between 104 and 106 they can lose muscle control either way if take her next time when the temp starts to rise give her tylenol and a cold towel and a popsicle see if that helps sometimes you have to resort to warm bath then lukewarm

Answer 10

I would call the Dr's. answering service # 1. While I was waiting for an answer I would Give the child some childrens motrin, that stuff works wonders.