My 4 yr old woke up today with a fever (around 102), he is shaky, and complaining of a headache. I have given him motrin twice, and it hasnt helped the fever or the headache. However, in the past, he has told me his ear hurt, or throat hurt, and then when i take him in to the dr, he tells the doc he is fine, nothing hurts. So im hesitant to take him in. Should i anyways?
2007-09-10 06:50:07 · 28 answers · asked by Jessica 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I would, just for peace of mind. You never know whats going on in that little body of theirs. I hope he feels better soon!
2007-09-10 06:54:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say no from what you said but personally I would call the Nurse Hotline if I was worried, they ask you lots of questions and give you wonderful advice on your child in particular and then give you a recommendation based on your answers. My daughter ALWAYS runs a fever at 102 and motrin/tylonal do nothing until it's ready to come down on it's own. The headache is probably just from the fever...
Take all his clothes (except underwear) off and give him only enough cover/blankets that he is not shivering... If he starts to shiver give him one more but you don't want him holding all that heat in, and if he is comfortable remove as many blankets as possible. Try cool baths and popcycles (non-dairy ones are best)... Most of the time you don't need to take them in until they have had a fever for more than 48 hours, unless it's accompanied by severe vomiting, diariah, or a rash.
Remember to offer water every half hour to stay hydrated. If you are still worried look up the nurse hotline and try them first
2007-09-10 15:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't listen to the people who are saying that a fever of 102 is bad for your child's brain. It is NOT. Especially a child his age. I have even heard it suggested that you not give anything for a fever at 102 unless he is experiencing discomfort (like his headache). It won't hurt a person's brain until it reaches 105 or 106.
I would put a cool (room temp... no cooler) cloth on his head, let him watch some tv and rest. Make sure he drinks plenty of fluids, perhaps pedialite or gatorade to replace the electrolites. Or clear liquids such as clear juice or water.
It wouldn't hurt to call his pediatrician since he is shaky and has a headache, or call a nurseline, but I really don't think it's worth a trip to urgent care unless your doctor thinks it is necessary.
I think a big thing I am trying to say is it is not necessary to panic and bring him in, but I would probably make a CALL to the doctor, just to see what he says.
2007-09-10 14:09:32 · answer #3 · answered by upstairs_albert 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That temp for a 4 year old is only cause for concern if you can't break the fever after about 12 hours. Added to the symptoms he has, I'd take him in for sure. Call ahead, and tell them what he often does, and tell them that you'd like to bring him in, and don't want to waste anyone's time but are obviously concerned. This way if he does what he has done in the past, they won't blame you. After all, you can't fake a fever, even if he's lying about the rest, or lies about the rest to the doctor.
(Do you think he's been fibbing to you or the doctor in the past? Is he afraid he might have to get shots? Does he not like the doctor? Does he like the doctor's office because there are cool toys so it's fun to go there? I'd suggest trying to figure out why he does this too, but maybe wait until after he's feeling better.)
Good luck. I'm sure it's just a bug and he'll be fine soon.
2007-09-10 14:04:12 · answer #4 · answered by twistedscorpio87 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's running fever then I would at least call your pediatrician. He may have a bacterial infection that would call for antibiotics. I, however, stopped rushing to the doctor by the time I reached child number three. Now I wait for 24 hrs (providing it's not too serious, of course) to see if she's better by the next morning. In most cases she is. My child is 7 yrs. old and in 2nd grade so there is a difference. I hope your child gets better soon.
2007-09-10 13:56:18 · answer #5 · answered by deepthinker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously there is something going on. Your 4 yr old is saying he's fine because he's afraid of what the doctor will do. He remembers that the doc gives shots. Take him anyway and you speak for him. Let the doc give him a good once over.
2007-09-10 13:59:05 · answer #6 · answered by mrsdeli 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might be afraid of the doctor so thats why he says that he is fine. You might have to do the talking for him and tell the doc whats wrong. I think he needs to get looked at. You should tell him that if he goes to the doctor that he will get medicine to make him feel better. Besides over the counter medicines don't really make you feel all the way better. It just kinda hides the symptoms.
2007-09-10 13:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fever is a sign of an infection so you should take him. You need to tell the doctor about his symptoms, not him. He's only 4!
2007-09-10 13:56:20 · answer #8 · answered by WilmaF 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the Motrin has not brought the fever down or relieved the headache, then you should take him in.
2007-09-10 13:56:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not yet. If the fever gets much higher take him in. The Doc should see inflamed throat ears etc. Try asprin to reduce the fever. His biochemistry may make motrin (ibuprofin) not effective.
2007-09-10 13:55:00 · answer #10 · answered by Bob D 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You have to break the fever.
So do take him if nothing helped. It is BAD for the brain for fever to be high for long .
Later check if he is scared of school or something in school.
They sometimes say head/ tummy hurts to avoid school. It becomes genuine sometimes.
2007-09-10 13:55:43 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋