When should I be concerned about my daughter's tempurature??? Please Help!!!!
Question: My daughter is 4 (almost 5.) She has not been sick in a LONG time. We moved to another state about 6 months ago, and we have yet to obtain insurance coverage for her.
She woke up this morning with a fever. She has no other real symptoms, just listlessness and lack of appetite. I didn't have any plain fever reducers so I gave her some Motrin "cold" medicine-- as it has a fever reducer in it. Her temp was originally 103+... it dropped down after we gave her some medicine...to about 101. Then it spiked up again... so I gave her some more (many hours later) and it dropped down to 101 again.
The highest it has gotten was 104 degrees and slightly under that. I tried giving her a lukewarm bath, laying cool rags on her, and dressing her minimally. Unfirtunatly she doesn't like any of those things (and starts to get hysterical about it) becuase she claims that she is FREEZING.
Answers: My daughter is 4 (almost 5.) She has not been sick in a LONG time. We moved to another state about 6 months ago, and we have yet to obtain insurance coverage for her.
She woke up this morning with a fever. She has no other real symptoms, just listlessness and lack of appetite. I didn't have any plain fever reducers so I gave her some Motrin "cold" medicine-- as it has a fever reducer in it. Her temp was originally 103+... it dropped down after we gave her some medicine...to about 101. Then it spiked up again... so I gave her some more (many hours later) and it dropped down to 101 again.
The highest it has gotten was 104 degrees and slightly under that. I tried giving her a lukewarm bath, laying cool rags on her, and dressing her minimally. Unfirtunatly she doesn't like any of those things (and starts to get hysterical about it) becuase she claims that she is FREEZING.
Strip her down to undies and loose covers not tucked into the bed with a light sheet or blanket. This will allow the body from over heating and to breathe. You are doing exactly right about the fever reducers. Her fever recurrences should not last longer then 2-3 days. If she is still spiking fevers, then she has more serious things going on than a mild infection working itself through.
12 hour Motrin (ibuprofen generic) sometimes can be administered within 10 hours but should not be sooner depending on your child's weight. If she is under weight or very thin, then you are best to revert to 4 hr tylenol (acetaminophen generic). Do not over dose as both products can cause liver damage as these meds process through the liver before being delivered to the rest of the body
Then go see a walk-in clinic doctor to assist you in seeing if she has more things going on if the fever is still being agressive. Have you looked in her throat (shine a light) and see if it is simply red and inflamed or is it cherry red with white pustules? That is strep throat and very contagious and if gone unchecked, can cause death. Then immediately get her to a doctor for antibiotic treatment . If it is strep, sterilize all utensil and dishes with 1 oz of bleach with every gallon of dish detergent water
Low grade fevers are above 98.6 to 101. Children fevers should not go above 103 on a steady basis for more than 1/2 hour solid without break as high fevers in the 104+ range can onset brain damage or major organ failures
If nothing else seems apparent, keep her on the BRAT diet for up to a week. Bread, Rice, Apples, Toast (all bland foods and salty potato chips if she dehydrated)
Pedialyte is a weaker version of Gatorade but more expensive. If she has no sugar sensitivities, you can still give her Gatorade cut down in 1/3rd water ratio to 2/3rd Gatorade. The cost is cheaper and plus it goes a whole lot furhter than Pedialyte. Toodlers under 30 punds, I cut the Gatorade or Powerade by 2/3rd ration. in other words 1/3 Gatorade, 2/3 water. At age 10 or 80+ pounds, you can use 1/4 cut water to 3/4 Gatorade or full strength. These should be given in moderation to avoid upset stomach. In other words, about 2-4 oz every 1-2 hours to help thirst and electrolyte balance but to avoid sickness from too much fluids
I happen to have a general working knowledge in general medicines and organic chemistry and posed my theory about Gatorade vs. Pedialyte. I spoke to my pediatrician about this and he agreed with me in regards to the modified recipe and started telling his other patients about it.
Antibiotics should be used sparingly and only when needed as this is why today's virus strains are so tough to cure. They mutated from over antibioitcs use. If antibiotics are prescribed (they are cheap to buy), then use the full prescription all the way through and give as directed even when your child shows remarkable improvement, because even upon improvement, the virus is still partially dormant and can reactivate itself if it is not all the way killed
Much love and prayers for you and your little one
my 5 year old does that randomly too. For her, it's usually because she is just plain tired. The temp I've been told to worry about is OVER 104. And don't do the bath thing...because she probably is freezing!! Give her water, not fruit juice or Gatorade...maybe Pedialyte. Definitely keep her hydrated. And be careful with how much medicine you give her too. It's easy to overdose.
From what I was instructed to do I will pass on to you. Do not use lukewarm baths it only make the body want to warm it self even more. And don't use cold rags it has the same effect. You will need to definitely need to get some children's fever reducer like acetaminophen also known as Tylenol. Or children's Motrin.
Try dressing her in light clothing with a light blanket. Try to avoid using products that are mixed with other ingredients.
A child can be okay with temperatures slightly over 107 for the short period. But the problem isn't the fever, it's what's causing it. If the fever goes above 105, I'd seriously consider taking her to the hospital, it's never good to run a fever, and anything over 107 you run the risk of brain damage(not likely, but possible).
Besides, the doctors can always just give her some antibiotics to give her body a boost to get rid of whatever is ailing her.
Hope she gets better soon, give her some good old fashioned chicken soup :)
my suggestion is to let it pass as is should as any cold, flu etc. which should be no longer than a week. If this fever should continue, take her immediately to the e.r. It could be a serious virual infection, my five year old neice just had those symptoms and a week later could not breathe and was rushed to the e.r. turns out she had serve a-moan-ya- and also had a colliasped lung. And this girl's only sympotoms was a high fever, tiredness, and chills.
hope this helps please let me know how your daughter is doing! Good luck!
Many children run high fevers at that age. It isn't that unusual but her high temps are something to be very concerned about. There are many virus out there. I hope that the Motrin was for children......as these things can be dangerous. I know she doesn't like the bath, but get her into a tepid (lukewarm) bath but make sure you put her head in the water. That is important and where the most heat escapes. Keep an eye on her for spiking fevers and other symptoms. It always disturbs me that people who don't have insurance are out of luck. That shouldn't happen in America at all. No one should be denied medical treatment regardless. If she doesn't get well soon.....you may have have to take her to an Urgent Care clinic or a free clinic. Hopefully there is one near you. This may sound crazy , but it worked when I was a kid. My Mom put socks soaked in vinegar on my feet and it helped with the fever. They dried quickly too. You could try this as it won't hurt. Keep her dressed warm so she can hopefully sweat the fever out. Good luck and sorry your daughter is ill.