Hello moms,
I am trying to decide whether I should take my son to the doctors. This in the morning of day 4 of a fever and him not wanting to eat. I am pretty sure that he has what my older son has which is cold like symptoms, my son also had a fever but not this long and still ate. The fever is ranging from 100.5 to 102.6 with medication. At times he is very sleepy and just wants to be held (along with very grumpy!). He only takes a few bites at each meal and is drinking a little so I'm not too worried about dehydration. My insurance is not that great and I can just see him saying , "it's just a virus and you have to ride it out". I just don't know what the doctor can do but I hate giving him ibuprofen every 6 hours on a pretty much empty stomach.
Just looking for advice...should I take him?
Thanks for all the answers!
I took him to the doctors and good thing I did because he has something called Herpangina! I guess it's similar to the hand foot and mouth disease and causes blisters in the back of his throat. Poor guy, that's why he won't eat anything cause it hurts too bad. Doc said to only give liquid or soft bland foods. But he won't eat anything, ill keep trying. This is just something that has to run it's course though, no mess were given.
If he is not eating and still has a fever then you need to take him to the doctor. He could have an ear infection. I would be worried because his is 22 months old. If you are posting then you are worried and you should take him.
I am the one who runs to the doctor everytime my son's sick. Last time he had a fever I waited 4 days thinking it could be because of teething. Took him to the doc on 4th day and was told it was viral fever and we just need to wait for it to run it's course. That evening he stopped eating for M.. So took him in again and this time he had developed a ear infection and his throat was red as well but not strep.
I think you should take him in and get him checked for ear infection or strep.
4 days with fever? Um yes. Im not a wait and see mother. 2 days of fever and im there. If its a virus nothing can be done and you wait, strep or a earache can get bad fast. Take the baby in. Can't hurt!
If you're indecisive, then call the doctor and tell them what you've told us. Make sure you let them know you're concerned with all of the symptoms as a whole.
I don't usually fuss much about the kids not eating when they're not feeling well because seriously, do you feel like eating when you have a fever? I'm more concerned with making sure that the kids stay hydrated because they need liquids more than they need food. If he's eating a few bites of food here and there, then that's good. If he's drinking liquids, that's excellent.
You can alternate giving him Tylenol and Motrin to help with body aches, pain, and fever. This far into the fevering and the fact that he's lethargic, I would let the doctor know you're taking him in. It may very well be a virus that you can't do anything about but it could be something else that needs treatment.
He probably has roseola. It seems like every kid is getting it right now. My daughter just had it and her fever was 104 for 3 days. I didn't take her to the doctor because she was drinking and that's all that matters. If he stops drinking, then take him. My daughter's fever went away and then she broke out in the roseola rash. The doctors can't do much for you son. A fever is nothing to fear. It's a good thing. Look up The Importance Of Fever. It will put your mind at ease. Give him tylenol at night if he can't sleep, otherwise, let his fever soar. We have been lead to believe that we should fear a fever. The truth is that it's only dangerous if it starts to go above 105.5. The fever shouldn't last much longer.
Please make SURE, he is not getting Dehydrated.
This can be very dangerous and occurs quickly in kids.
Lethargy, is one symptom, for example.
Look online for 'dehydration symptoms in kids.'
It's okay that his fever is in that range for a few days. Most likely he is going through a growth spurt. My son had fevers almost every 3-4 months while he hit his growth spurts. As long as his fever seems to leave after some medicine I'd try giving him some watered down pedialyte. My son loved the orange flavored pedialyte when he had his fevers. Try to give him some foods when you can, something easy to swallow like a banana? If his fever doesn't go away after 7 days, then take him to a doctor. Fevers after 7 days of not going away might be a more serious condition.
I know my daughter doesn't each much when she is running a fever. It could also be that his throat is sore, so eating/drinking is not comfortable. Does Tylenol not work for your son? It's supposed to be easier on the stomach than ibuprofen. If he's ok with drinking, maybe try a smoothie?
I would probably take him just to make sure it isn't strep (can you see the back of his throat at all?). My pediatrician generally says not to bother bringing kids in for fever unless they're really uncomfortable (my daughter can run fevers up to 104.7 and still be fairly cheerful) or if there are other symptoms that you're worried about.
Hope the little guy feels better soon!
i wouldn't give ibuprofen on an empty stomach - use tylenol instead when they're not eating well. our insurance is okay, but i just hate take the kids to the pedi - not only does it end up chewing up 4 hours of your day with a cranky/sick kid that you're trying to contain, it seems like one of us ends up leaving with some "bonus" illness of some sort(like pinkeye). that said, fever will bring me to run them in if it lasts more than a couple of days and/or doesn't come down with meds. on day 4, i'd err on the side of caution and have him looked at - ear infection, pneumonia(i have one child that gets this every year, his only symptom is a 105 or 106 fever, and he has NEVER had a cough with it!). i know it's a total bummer to hear "it's just a virus, that'll be $300", but seriously, at day 4, i think i'd go. good luck, hope he feels much better soon!
I always waited four days. I think it is time for you to take him to doc. May have an ear infection. Better to be safe than sorry. Hope he feels better
soon.
Could be an ear infection.. Most say after 3 days of high fever, with no relief, you should bring him in to get checked.
Hello, You should be able to talk to a nurse when you call your doctor's office. She might be able to tell you whether or not your son should be seen. Kaiser told my daughter that they would see my granddaughter after 72 hours of continued fever. It sounds like your son has had it long enough. Also, he could have an ear infection. Small children can't tell us. I would call and see what they say.
Good luck with your precious family.
K. K.
