My 4 yr old has a 102 fever, what should I do?

Question

My daughter hasn't been sick since she was 2 years old so I don't know about what to do at this age. It's the third day of this. Fever spikes in afternoon and breaks in the middle of the night. She is keeping down fluids after vomiting on the first day. I have heard that a fever is the bodies way of fighting viruses but should I still give a fever reducer or just let it ride it's course? She doesn't complain of sore throat or have any rashes, but she does have a dry cough. Thanks in advance for any advice you have. We really want to avoid taking her to the doctor and exposing her to more germs while she is less tolerant.

Answer 1

Fever in Children Treatment
Self-Care at Home

The 3 goals of home care for a child with a fever are to reduce the temperature, prevent dehydration, and monitor for serious or life-threatening illness.

The first goal is to make the child comfortable by monitoring and reducing the fever to under 102°F (38.9°C). This is done using a thermometer and medications and dressing the child appropriately. A warm water bath can also be helpful.

* To check your child’s temperature, you will need a thermometer. Thermometers available are glass mercury, digital, and tympanic (used in the ear).
* Stay away from tympanic thermometers, the jury is still out about their accuracy.
o Glass thermometers work well but may break and take several minutes to get a reading.
o Digital thermometers are inexpensive and obtain a reading in seconds.
* It is best to check an infant's or toddler’s temperature rectally.
o Hold the child chest down across your knees.
o Spread the buttocks with one hand and insert the thermometer lubricated with a water-soluble jelly about 1 inch into the rectum with the other hand.
* Oral temperatures may be obtained in older children who are not mouth breathing or have not recently had a hot or cold beverage.
* Acetaminophen (Children’s Tylenol, Tempra) and ibuprofen (Children’s Advil, Children’s Motrin) are used to reduce fever.
o Follow the dosage and frequency printed on the label.
o Remember to continue to give the medication over at least 24 hours or the fever will usually return.
o Do not use aspirin to treat fever in children, especially for a fever with chickenpox. It has been linked to Reye’s syndrome which causes liver failure. Ibuprofen use in chickenpox is also being questioned.
* Children should not be overdressed indoors, even in the winter.
o Overdressing keeps the body from cooling using evaporation, radiation, conduction, or convection.
o Most practical is to dress the child in a single layer of clothing and cover the child with a sheet or light blanket.
* A sponge bath in warm water will help reduce a fever.
o This is usually not needed but may more quickly reduce the fever.
o Put the child in a few inches of warm water and use a sponge or washcloth to wet the skin of the body and arms and legs.
o The water itself does not cool the child. The evaporation of the water off the skin does, so do not cover the child with wet towels.
o Contrary to the popular folk remedy to reduce fever, under no circumstances should rubbing alcohol be used in a bath or rubbed on the skin. Alcohol is poisonous to children.

The second goal is to keep the child from becoming dehydrated. Humans lose extra water from the skin and lungs during a fever.

* Encourage the child to drink clear fluids such as non-carbonated drinks without caffeine or juice (not water). Water does not contain the necessary electrolytes and glucose. Other clear fluids are chicken soup, Pedialyte, and other rehydrating drinks available at your grocery or drug store.
* Tea or other caffeine-containing products should not be used. They act as diurectics and increase urination and fluid loss. This is not the effect you want.
* Your child should urinate light-colored urine at least every 4 hours if well hydrated.

The third goal is to monitor the child for signs of serious or life-threatening illness.

* A good strategy is to reduce the child’s temperature to under 102°F (39.0°C).
* Also, make sure the child is drinking enough clear fluids (not water).
* If both these conditions are met and your child is still ill appearing, a more serious problem may exist.

Medical Treatment

Your doctor may or may not be able to tell you the exact cause of your child’s fever.

Viral infections of the respiratory system are the most common cause of fever. Antibiotics do not cure or help with viral infections.

* If your doctor diagnoses a bacterial infection, your child will be started on antibiotics.
o Urinary tract infections, ear infections, throat infections, sinus infections, skin infections, gastrointestinal infections, and pneumonia may be treated with antibiotics at home.
o Your child may receive oral antibiotics or a shot or both.
* Children diagnosed with bacterial meningitis are always admitted to the hospital.

Additionally, your doctor may give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for fever.

Dehydration may be treated by giving oral or intravenous fluids.

* If a child is vomiting, an anti-nausea drug may be given by injection or by rectal suppository.
* After a period of time, oral fluids will be attempted.

If your child’s condition improves after reducing the fever, treating dehydration, and serious bacterial infections have been ruled out, the doctor will more than likely discharge your child from the emergency department for further care and monitoring at home.

Answer 2

2 Year Old Has 102 Fever

Answer 3

2 Year Old Fever 102

Answer 4

You are absolutely right about the fever fighting off infection. However, after a while you have to wonder why it is taking so long for the infection to subside. It is a good sign that it breads off and on. In you quetion about giving her Tylenol or Ibeuprofin, the idea is to keep her comfortable. If she can tolerate her condition without it, fine. If she becomes uncomfortable and say for instance, has trouble sleeping, then give it to her. I wouldn't worry about exposing her to the germs at the doctors' office. If you can keep your distances from the other people as much as possible and wash hands when you can, certainly before leaving the facility and when you get home. Is she too old for Pedialyte? Probably couldn't hurt. I alwayt take the safe side and go right to the doc. If it were me, I would take her. A person just never knows and it is better to error on the side of safety. Good luck and I hope you two feel better soon.

Answer 5

When temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more, you should give an antipyretic to make the child comfortable. As the fever is high grade, it is better that she should be seen by a doctor, in case she has a bacterial infection and needs an antibiotic. Give her plenty of fluids to drink and frequent, small meals of soft food.

Answer 6

Correct with the fever information.

Keep her hydrated as much as possible and if she can eat, feed her nutritious food.. Since the fever is breaking at times, that's a good sign. Allow the fever to take it's course. If it lasts for a week, then contact her doctor.

Answer 7

There should be a nurse on call that you can contact. Usually through your pediatrician. if you call their number it will give you the nurse on call number. THey are really helpful. 102.1 is not that high in a child as long as she/he is over a year old. Not eating is no big deal and throwing up is prob the sickness with no food in her belly. I would only worry about the shallow breathing depending on how shallow it is. If she is really having trouble breathing call someone right away or go to ER. if its just the cold keep a close eye on her through the night and if you alternate between the Tylenol and Motrin that always breaks the fever. Please check with someone on all this though bc im just a mom. If her fever gets to 103 take her in! Not 105 thats really really hot! GOod luck I hate when my boys are sick its so nerve racking.

Answer 8

Take her to the emergency room. With the continued high fever, she could sustain serious brain damage. They will probably give her antibiotics. Put a cold cloth on her head in the car, and have her lay down or sleep(keeping the seatbelt on, ov course!).

Answer 9

I'm a nurse. Please take her to the doctor right away. Her organs are cooking by her fever being so high. Also if the fever isn't reduced, it can cause brain damage. I don't want to scare you, I just care.

Answer 10

No dont hold back on going to the doctor. It'll help. She'll get some antibiotics. take her tto emergency in the hosptal.