Hello Moms,
It is the cold and flu season and I have a question about fever. What is a high enough fever to do something like visit the dr. My 41/2 yr. old has had a fever at about 102 for 2 days. It gets higher at night- 103 then goes lower during the day. All else seems to be okay. She is eating and drinking. I have 3 kids but just have not dealt much with fever. Thanks to all of you caring moms!
We pretty much rotate tylenol and motrin every few hours if our daughters have a high temp around 102-103, and we're pretty on the ball about them too because our oldest had a fibral (spelling?) seizure when she was 8 months.
If she's eating/drinking and behaving okay, and the motrin or tylenol is helping, then you're probably okay. If something changes, I'd get her to the doctor pretty quickly.
Good luck!
Anything up to 104.00 is okay to treat at home. If it surpasses 104.0, then it's time to call the doctor to see what they want to do.
Hi E.,
my rule is to give Tylenol if the fever acts as though it will go PAST 102....as in gets to 102 but starts to climb, not just stay there. I monitor the fever every 10-15 minutes if it is hanging out that close.
Remember the body fevers itself to fight the infection/virus....so giving medication at the first sight of fever is not helping the body heal as it was made to do. Once it starts to go past that point I then get nervous and administer some tylenol. If tylenol alone doesn't work you can alternate with ibuprofen as well. You can call the pharmacist for the specifics on that.
I wouldn't worry about going to the ER unless the fever was getting so high - like 105 and you couldn't get it down, then I would go!
If she is getting plenty of fluids and rest her body will heal itself. If you get scared then call the doc up and go for a visit. 2 important things, trust her body's ability to heal, and trust your motherly instincts...they're both amazing things : )
I hope this helps.
C.
Hey E... I was told and I do give my kids tylenol & motrin.. back on forth.. every 3 hours.. but you have to write it down to remember which one you gave last. I let them come off of it during the night and see how they are in the morning so i don't 'mask' the symptoms. I was also told to not worry unless the fever goes over 104.. that apparently is the new 'high' for a fever.. My doctor usually doesn't want to see my kids unless they have had a fever for over 5-7 days.. because apparently then it's not a virus n e more and should most likely be looked at as something else. This has always worked for me.. I just load up on gingerale, gatoraids, propel.. stuff like that and ya know soup, crackers.. etc.. Hope you little one feels better.. Good Luck!
M.
If she's acting fine otherwise, I'd just let her body fight whatever it's fighting. Make sure she's getting plenty of fluids. Our doctor always tells us to give my dd ANYTHING she'll drink when she's sick. We try to push the water as much as possible and stay away from juice and milk. Popsicles are also a good way to get her some fluids and to help bring her fever down. I always give Tylenol for fever, if my dd is uncomfortable. If she's acting fine, I just let it go. A nice cool bath will help to bring down the fever too. Keep an eye on her and if her fever spikes, or she becomes lethargic, take her to the doctor. Otherwise, she'll probably be fine in a few days.
