11 month old has fever and no other symptoms?!


Question: 11 month old has fever and no other symptoms!?
Our daughter has a fever since Sunday evening (spiked up to 39!.7 C or 103!.4 F), I called our pediatrician's nurse at home and she said that we can visit ER, but if it drops with medications, we can wait till morning and come over first thing!. That's what we did!.

So, on Monday at 6:30am we went to doctor, took urine and blood samples, did a full body exam and at 1pm we got results that everything is fine, as well as there were no symptoms of ear, nose, throat or some other infection or anything else (we were there being examined for 2 hours)!.

Doctor said it's probably something viral and there's little we can do about it, just to start dropping down temperature if it reaches/exceeds 38 C (100!.4 F) and to watch her carefully if some changes occur!. When temperature is down, she's playful, happy, drinks and eats!. She is teething (3 at the same time), but temperature gets too high for teething, so we can't blame that I guess (doctor confirmed that)!.

Does anyone have any idea what should we do!? It's 3rd day now and her temperature still climbs up to 38 C (100!.4 F) or a bit higher, but drops down as soon as medication is given and medication works for 12 hours or more, even though if it was something serious, doctor said it could keep temperature down for max 5-6 hours!.

Any suggestions, experiences or comments are appreciated!. BTW, we are in Croatia, Europe, but I guess that doesn't matter, as medications are the same all around the world (just different brand names)!. :)

It's first time she has any kind of fever and is our first child, so we are maybe overcautious or too paranoid, but better safe than sorry!.

Thanks!

LukaWww@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Hi there!.

Firstly let me say that I am a pediatric nurse practitioner, and I was a neonatal intensive care nurse before that!. I would agree with her doctor that it is probably a virus in view of all her tests coming back normal!. If so, she has 2 things going on!.!.!.teething, and a virus!. Both of which can cause fever!.

Viruses can cause very high fevers with minimal symptoms!. As long as she is eating and reacting normally (playing, smiling, sleeping) when her fever is down!.!.!.this is good!.

Unfortunately viruses can last for a WEEK OR LONGER!. So don't panic!. There is an old saying about viruses!.!.!."3 days coming, 3 days here, 3 days going"!. This really seems to hold true!.

Keep giving her the Tylenol (aka: acetaminophen or paracetamol) around the clock as described by your doctor!.

Also, make sure you aren't bundling her up in blankets or heavy clothing!. Doing this will only make her temperature climb higher!. Keep her dressed lightly in a t-shirt or onesie and cover her with a light receiving blanket when she is asleep!. I don't recommend cool baths!.!.!.as this causes babies to shiver (which in turn burns something called "brown fat" --something babies have)!.!.!.which actually can make their temperatures climb!.

Make sure she's getting plenty of fluid!. You may want to nurse/feed her more often to ensure she's well-hydrated!.

As long as her temperature comes down with the medication (even if it's just a half of a degree), she's fine!.

If her symptoms worsen, or her fever stops responding to the medication, or if her symptoms last more than 2 weeks without ANY improvement (meaning she is still spiking fevers up to 39!.7), call her doctor immediately!. Otherwise, this just needs time to run its course!.

Babies are a joy!.!.!.but can be really scary if you're a new parent!!! Be comforted to know they are resilient, and bounce back!.

I wonder if that's where the term "bouncing baby" comes from!?

=)Www@Answer-Health@Com

don't worrie, I have 3 kids!. It is from teething, Just give them tylenol, and rotate it with childrens MotrinWww@Answer-Health@Com

Check the palms of her hands and feet!. if they are warm too then she's fine!. it sounds like shes teething!. i had the same problems with my daughter!. In america the drs say it normal for a infants temp to go all the way up to about 104!. but if ur not comfortable with my advice take her to the E!.R!. BUT i really think is just teething, each child teeths differentlyWww@Answer-Health@Com

Thanks for translating the C to F by the way!.
A tepid ( a little cooler (not cold) than warm) bath often works well to bring down the fever!.
Recent research has shown what old time pediatricians have known for years a fever under 104 F does not do an harm and may even help kill the infections!.
You just have to put up with the crankiness, a lot to put up with but usually better than medication for the child!. Www@Answer-Health@Com

Well first of all i've been a nurse for 13 years!. Never have I seen a temperature this high in a child and there not be something wrong!. If the doctor in the ER didnt find a reason then she should have further testing to find out what the cause of such a high temp is!. I would change thermometers for one because maybe the one you have isnt working correctly also are you taking the temp rectally!? If not then you should thats the best indicator of a persons temp not under the arm!. Second if the fever isnt down today to normal then take her back to the doctors and let them recheck everything again!. A childs body is composed mostly of water at her age and when theres a temp that high then they will dehydrate fast even though shes drinking!. Which is a good thing, but if shes not taking anything in then you would see her decline!. I hope this helps you and your daughter!.!.!.!.best wishes!. Www@Answer-Health@Com

Three of our four children got fevers in that range when they were teething!. I know it gets frustrating, but knowing that it will go away soon was comforting for us!. I wouldn't worry until her temp gets to 103!.
We found that Popsicles and baths were good temporary relief for them without having to give them drugs all the time!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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