a childs fever- when to worry???

Question

daughter has been to dr.- we started a antibiotic for a chest infection-sinus related - and has been running a fever of 102. Today even after alternating tylenol and motrin her fever seems to be climbing-
we were at dr today- started antibiotic today -which is strong- she only takes it 5 days
her fever is 103.5 as we speak and is not due to take any more meds for 3 hrs. what can I do other than a cold rag to help her????? She is 5 yrs old and very pitiful- How high is at the dangerous level and I should take to ER-- suggestions- Please??

Thanx so much for all the responses- her fever did go to 104.3 and I kust gave her the full dose of motrin even though it was not due yet- stripped her down to her undershirt and panties- and slept with her with the thermometer and kept checking it every half hr- we had the cold rag and ice cold apple juice-{the only thing she would drink} beside us all night. She now is at 102.8 and hopefully we can keep this under control- Her antibiotics is zithromax and was told it is very strong and should see a difference soon-- Thanx so much for all your answers- it makes me not feel so helpless-!!!!!!

Answer 1

You can actually give Tylenol and Motrin in 3 cycles at 45 min. apart for 1.... also give lukewarm baths every hour or 2 until the water gets cool then take her out..... Also with my son I had to let him sweat it out....let her wear nothing but undies and then wrap her in blankets for a little while... probably at least an hour.... (after trying the baths)... If it hits 105 and WILL NOT GO DOWN AT ALL.... no matter how hard you try.... then take her to the doctor (or er).... Also if she won't eat.. that is fine, just give her pedialyte, or gatoraide to kep her from getting dehydrated. and I am sure you already know this, but NO MILK.... it wil make her fel even worse... and also try broth with crackers...... It wil take a day or 2 for the antibiotics to start their job and once they do it will help. Good Luck!!!!

Answer 2

Fevers When To Worry

Answer 3

Once a child is over 6 months, a fever can almost always be safely observed and treated at home.

Our pediatrician tells us not to even treat a fever under 102 (except for our oldest, who gets febrile seizures) unless the child is completely miserable.

Even a fever of 106 is not dangerous in the short-term, and a fever of 105 (in the absence of other symptoms, such as a stiff neck) just means you should call the doctor the next day. You do not need the ER!

If you are alternating Tylenol and Motrin and the fever is still climbing, then it's time to get serious.

First, dress her in light layers. When she's hot, strip her down. When she's chilled, let her wrap up in a light blanket.

Offer tons of fluids. You don't have to use Pedialyte (it's GROSS, have you tasted it?). Water is fine in the short-term, or diluted Gatorade.

Put her in a warm (not hot, not cool) bath. You DO NOT want to induce shivering, but getting her hair wet and letting her sit in just a few inches of warm water should help cool her down. Never add rubbing alcohol to the bath.

You can also give Tylenol and Motrin at the same time to get a jump on the fever. Right now you're alternating, but at the next Motrin dose, you could give Tylenol, too, and then wait three hours for the next Tylenol dose, and six hours for the next Motrin dose. Right? So you give both once, then go back to alternating. And if you have to give doses too close together to get that to work, it's better to do that with Tylenol than Motrin.

A cool rag on the back of the neck or the forehead can be surprisingly helpful.

Our daughter with the febrile seizures spikes a high fever at the drop of a hat, so we know this drill backwards and forwards. One other note: a febrile seizure, while scary, isn't medically significant. Some pediatricians don't even need to see your child after a seizure unless she's very altered or the seizure lasted more than a few minutes. Our first one, we went to the doctor's office, and she was altered, so they sent us to the ER to get her rehydrated, etc. And once she had an 11-minute seizure, so we had to take her in, then, too. Otherwise, you just stay calm, don't let her hurt herself, and work on getting that temperature down as soon as you can.

Hang in there. Sometimes I think all this is tougher on parents than on sick kids!

Answer 4

I am not sure I can say this loud enough 103.5 is dangerous, it will start messing with the brain. She needs to be cooled immediately, Luke warm bath as previously mention, then take her to a clinic or E.R. if you can not regulate the fever. Some kids can tolerate a high fever, as the fever is just a natural reaction the body has to an infection, but 103.5 is over the top. You do not want her convulsing on you which is what may very well happen any time soon with a fever that high. I want you to know that there is no magic number for a fever before you take her to a doctor, all children react different to the fever. If she is lethargic, lifeless, has a rash, starts convulsion at any temperature seek medical attention. If you are in Ontario call Tele-Health Ontario and you can speak to a Nurse. The number is 1-866-797-0000.

K8

Answer 5

After a year, 103 is the "danger" point (when you should call the doc), but 106 is when it's really a danger (brain damage starts at rougly 107)
A fever helps fight infection. However, if she is miserable, you should do everything you can to make her comfortable. Lukewarm baths, whatever she wants to eat (popsicles are great for this), let her just lay around all day (0bviously). She should be ok. Keep an eye on the fever...I'd go to the DR or ER if it hist 105; no sense delaying if it continues to climb.

Answer 6

Coming from a paramedic (and father) As long as she's acting normal and her breathing is in good shape, you can certainly try using a cold rag to her forehead or even an ice pack to the back of her neck, underarms, and/or groin. If she starts acting "really" tired and is difficult to wake or arouse, take her to the ER. If she can not be awakened at all or starts having a seizure, call the ambulance.
You may want to call her doctor or the local ER for advice on possibly giving more Advil or Tylenol sooner. That would be up to a physician though.

Answer 7

Yes, use a cold cloth and put her in a lukewarm bath and dont put any clothing on her, except her underwear. Keep her on liquids, like pedialyte or gatorade. WATCH FOR SEIZURES... and if it gets to that point, call 911, dont take her to the ER yourself...you could be waiting for hours. I'd call the ER anyway and let them know your situation and see what they say to do. I think 104. and higher is dangerous, however I'm not sure if that is for 5 year olds. I know my 3 year old daughter was in the ER with 104.7 fever with seizures over the summer and the damn ER had her waiting for about an hour to see a doctor...

My thoughts are with you and your poor little girl... she must feel miserable :o(

Answer 8

Get her into a luke warm bath now. Let her lay in there for a while...don't let it be too cold though. If it doesn't come down in about an hour take her to the ER because over 102 can be serious. I dealt with this with my son and they had to give him rectal meds. Also try feeding her ice cold things like pop cycles and so on.

Answer 9

You need to give her a cool bath. You may want to call your doctor on call (call your doctor's office and they should have directions to get ahold of your on-call dr. or call the E.R. and ask their suggestion). Call your pharmacy also and make sure you have the right dose of medicine for your child's weight. Make sure your child is drinking (popcicles maybe). Children are pretty resilient to fevers. Although 102 is dangerous for adults, it doesn't start becoming a concern until 104-105... but if you are not getting relief at all, you need to seek help soon! Try the bath though and don't swaddle your daughter bc your body heat raises hers. GL!

Answer 10

At that age you should already have her at the ER. The next time her fever starts to get high give her a luke warm bath let her soak in there for awhile dress her in clean clothes give her a clean blanket and pillow make her lay down and eat either ice chips or pop sickles.