how to control a fever???

Question

my son has epelpsy and everytime he gets a high fever he has a sezuire. he has had a fever since thursday afternoon and i have taken him to the E.R. to make sure he didnt have an ear infection, but the results where negative. they just told me to continue giving him motrin, and it should go down. well its know sunday night and it does go down and then goes right back up as soon as the dose where's off. dont know what else to do. he has peak up to 103.5

also he is seeing a specialist for his seizures and at the ER he did get a blood and urine culture done and both where negative for any infections..

sorry but i didnt add his age, he's 4. and they didnt say he had anything about him having any kind of virus. he couldnt pin point the fever to anything. also he's not coughing just a little runny nose.

Answer 1

A 103.5 fever spike is kinda high, you didn't say how old your son is but the fact he has seizures with fevers can make things more difficult. What did they say was wrong with him? virus? respiratory illness, flu? Depends on whats wrong what you should do and how to treat. You could call the ER and ask their advice but they will probably want to see him, and the fact it's very close to the holiday means they are probably understaffed and super busy would have to call people in for blood work, xrays, etc. I would say take him tomorrow after he opens presents and eats because you probably will have a long wait unless there is an immediate care clinic near you, they guarantee 1 hour in and out waiting.

Tonight, I would give him the motrin every 4-6 hours, make sure he eats with it so it won't upset his stomach. If they said virus there probably isn't alot you can do until it runs its course except watch for complicating infections like the ear, sinus, and lung. Is he coughing? congestion in the nose or chest? For the coughing give him warm soups, cough drops, you can try cough syrups but honestly if it's over the counter it's not really good, I would use warm steam, a nebulizer, vaporizer or have him sit over a hot steaming cup of hot water in a bowl or cup with a towel over his heat so it holds the steam in. Hot baths are good to break up chest congestion too. If it's sinus, you want an antihistimine to dry things up, most store brands are sufficient, benedryl cold and sinus childrens version is very good. You might try some vicks vaporub on his chest, if you don't have any, any sort of menthol products would work like mineral ice, biofreeze, etc. Now to break the fever, he has to sweat it out. He needs to drink tons of liquids, water, fruit juices, broths, any liquid he likes even popsickles will help. Popsickles help sore throats too and just feel good and cold when you're hot with a fever. Have him bundle up, lots of blankets and warm PJ's, you want him to sweat. Hopefully he'll sleep and sleep the sweating part off so then when he gets up you can change his PJ's, give him a bath and he'll feel better. IF these things do not work and he has the fever tomorrow night take him to an ER or clinic, if nothing is around or open make sure you go first thing Tues AM. He might need some antibiotics and if he has respiratory problems something to break that up.

Just a PS:

I hope you have a good Christmas despite him being sick.

if his temp is still running high after sweating and with ibuprofen/motrin, use cool compresses to the forehead, face, neck, and also rubbing alcohol applied to the forehead will help cool.

Answer 2

You need to determine if the epilepsy is causing the fever or the fever causing the seizure. Your neurologist should be able to help you there. He could be having seizures that are unseen. If this isn't the cause then maybe the ER should do a blood culture, sputum culture and urine culture to see if there is an infection somewhere else that can't be seen. These cultures usually take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to come back but that should give you an answer as to if he has some sort of infection.

Answer 3

alternate tylenol and ibuprophen or motrin. give him cool sponge bath. make sure the water isnt too cold or it can shock his system. if the fever gets any higher you may need to use cold water. its most important to keep the temperature down. sometimes a cold rag or ice pack at the back of the neck or under the armpits helps. if after all of this it wont go down call the hospital again and tell them. they will probably do the same things there. good luck

Answer 4

You may also want to try a few ice cubes in a Ziploc baggie, try placing them under his arms (be sure they are wrapped in a washcloth or something). Other than that... fluids, fluids, fluids (you may want to try some Pedialyte). Sometimes if you are dehydrated, you can run a fever. And of course alternate Tylenol with Motrin.

Also, don't be afraid to call your Doctor/Nurse... they might have some more useful tips.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

MOtrin is a fever reducer - but its going to mean that you have to wake up every four hours to give the dose.
No, I'm not kidding.

Answer 6

when my son has a fever my doctor says to switch between motrin and tylenol every 3 hours. Then I also use a warm cloth on his head and will give him a warm bath to help.

Answer 7

Wet towels with cold water and apply to main veins and arteries such as the ones on the neck, armpits, etc. That helps bring the temperature down.

Answer 8

1st of all you have to know the reason for the fever, e.g.tonsillitis,bronchitis,urinary tract infection,etc...this is to control the cause and so you can eradicate the source of fever together with proper antipyretic and cold compresses to avoid convulsions.

Answer 9

Call the ER and tell them this is happening...they may advise you to do something else. Meanwhile give him plenty of fluids and try cool compresses

Answer 10

take him back to the E.R.