Fevers - Tampa,FL

Hi Melody,
Hang in there, the worst is probably almost over. It sounds like you are a Christian so Pray a lot!!! That's what helped me, and get sleep, but that is hard to do when you have little ones! Can I bring you a meal? Call me if you'd like.
God bless!
E.
###-###-####

Dear M.,
I'm sorry all of you are sick at once. I know exactly how that feels!!! One thing to know about fevers is that they are the body's way of fighting infection. Not all fevers are bad. I would treat the symptoms. I would keep your child away from the ER unless her fever was high.(I'll let your pediatrician tell you how high is too high.) You can call your pediatrician or the on-call physician 24 hours a day with an emergency. My pediatrician does not recommend Motrin/ibuprofen for children at all because there is research it prolongs illness and suppresses the immune system. Offer lots of fluids and get lots of rest. Have your husband take the children for a few hours or you find a quiet place to get rest. Good luck. You all will be better soon. K.

yeah, just call your ped and keep them informed on what their temps are. No point in going to the hospital unless they are getting really high, and your doctor will tell you what that temp is, I want to say 105-106. My doctor has never said anything bad about Motrin and it is what always worked best for us. In our experience, it does not extend any sickness and works longer than tylenol does. I think waiting is all this is going to take, sorry to say. You need to find a way to get some relief yourself, do you have a sitter?? Maybe your husband can take some time off, even just a half a day, to help you out. Start the medication doses before the fever spikes again, that will help keep them from being miserable. I hope you all feel better soon!

try a liquid vitamin C from the health food store. Make hubby get it. Lots of liquids, chicken soup. Do not give too much tylenol, it can be dangerous. Use ONLY at night before bed, one dose! Tepid baths help, lots of fresh fruit, and unfortunately the sickness has to run its course. But if you get onto vitamins, I swear, everyone gets sicker less oftern.

D.

Have they checked them for an ear infection? I have been through that twice with my son ...the high fevers....he to made me miserable....he was in a lot of pain becuase of his ear....if you take him them to the doctor they can give you antibotics for the ears....hes also a big time teether which has spiked his fevers high!

I hope this helps!

Since it has been over 48 hours with the little one I would call your pedi, they may want to see the baby, depending on other symptoms and how high the temps are, since you older one is no longer having the temps it may just be viral, but it is always worth it to see the dr, I'm an RN and my view is better safe than sorry. I wouldnt rush off to the ER that too long a wait and probably un needed. You can use some tylenol or motrin for comfort, if the fevers arent any higher than 101 I would only use the meds at sleep time, fevers help the body fight off infection. and seriously see your pedi.

I have lots of experience in this department. I have 2 girls, 5 and 3 1/2. The best thing we have found for fevers is, like you said, the motrin/tylenol every 3-4 hrs spaced/alternated, but also, cool washcloths on their necks, around their wrists, on their lap...all while watching tv or whatever. Also, water, water, water. Try ice chips for the older one. And keep them clean, hair brushed, face washed, etc. As for you, well, curl up on the floor/couch with them and vegetate. This is what I do and we all feel better the next day. God Bless.

M.,
In my experience, Advil works better than tylenol. A few months back my daughter got sick and ran a fever for 2 to 3 days straight. She also threw up on occasion. Then I got sick and had the worst case of the flu I've had in a long time. Unfortunately, it just has to run its course. It's great if your husband can help out and probably best he doesn't get it. You'll feel better in a few days. If however you start coughing a lot and can't kick it, go to the doctor. That's what happened to me and I ended up getting bronchitis. I coughed so hard I got a small rib fracture. Hope you feel better and if you can get some rest.

My daughter just went through the same thing a few months ago. She was 21 mths old and had a 104 fever for over 3 days. I also had a newborn at home. Thank god for breastfeeding because my newborn never got it. The neighboor down the street is a nurse so she helped us get her fever down. My daughter's heart was beating so fast that it was scary. What we did was give her motrin, took off all of her clothes, used a cold wash cloth and constantly wiped her with it and trust me she cried every time, made sure she had lots of fluid and put her in a semi-cold bath. We kept wiping her all night and did not cuddle up with her because that created warmth. It was so hard to see her like that and she would shack but we couldn't cover her. I would give your daughter a semi-cold bath, keep her clothes off until her fever breaks and constantly wipe her down with a cold wash cloth. She will hate it but it should help. Good luck. I know how scary it is. We were almost at the point of taking her to the hospital with her heart beat so fast but I truly believe taking care of it at home is much better then a hospital unless it is your last resort.

I think if the fever is still there I would consider going to the hospital or at the very least call your pedi. I know going to the hospital is a big pain but they may need to do blood cultures to see what is causing this fever... you may need antibiotics to shake it. Just my 2cents.
good luck!
D.