I don't normally ask questions like this because I always feel that if it is something I am not 100% sure on, I err on the side of safety and call the doctor. I have a 20 year old son and a 5 year old daughter and while I am no expert, I am an experienced mom and realize that not everything requires a doctor's attention and some things need to run their course. Today, I am really on the fence so I just want to get other people's perspective before I do or do not make another call to the doctor.
Tuesday morning my daughter wakes me up with the following "You need to turn on the air because my back is sweaty". The ac was on so I told her to uncover. A few minutes pass and she says "I have a headache". I told her I would get her something for it in a few minutes (This was before 530 am so I was asleep and thought she would dose back off). About two minutes pass and she says it again so I get up to give her Tylenol but before I can she runs to the bathroom to vomit. She has a fever and I give her the Tylenol. About 15 minutes pass and she vomits again (this time repeatedly). I clean her, the floor, and the bathroom up and giver her liquids. The rest of the day she lounges around, naps (she never naps unless she's sick), the fever comes and goes, and she vomits about every 6 hours until mid-morning on Wednesday. I call the doctor and another pediatrician is on call. She suggests Motrin (I know all about alternating both to beat the fever) and prescribes suppositors to stop the vomitting (but she hasn't vomitted since so it wasn't necessary). The fever does respond to Motrin so we give that to her all day Wednesday and most of Thursday. When her fever hit 103.5 we started alternating every three hours (I know we could do it every two hours if necessary but since it came down I don't feel I had to be aggressive). Last night around 9 the fever had broken completely, stayed gone throughout the night but at 6:30 this morning is was starting to creep up again. We have been pushing the liquids, especially Gatorade and although she hasn't vomited anymore, she's not eating much (mostly a bit of toast and some crackers). This child loves milk and hasn't asked for it since Monday night (which is good because between the fever and the vomitting, it is out of the question). So while she is feeling better, she is definately not well.
Do you think this is one of those "let it run it's course" things? or should I call our doctor again today? I will make my decision by 2 pm so I don't miss the doctors office for the weekend.
Thanks for the responses. I do typically let the body do it's thing and don't treat fevers unless they get to above 101 (I just push fluids, maybe do cool compresses to help with comfort) but I gave her the Tylenol because she was complaining of a headache too and then the pediatrician told me to treat the fever because it was adding to the vomitting. Since she seemed on the mend, the 103.5 gave me the most concern yesterday. In the past few hours, she has continued to improve and seems to be more herself (although you can look at her and tell she's not back to normal) so I feel we're on the road to recovery now.
From experience w/ my own kids, nieces, nephews, and other kids in the family and dealing w/ our pediatrician (ours are the best) and hearing some advice from not so good doctors (not ours but some family members'), I would definately be on the phone if the fever was 104. I would NEVER wait for it to get to 106 or higher. My cousin was told by her peditrician not to worry unless it was at 105 or higher...I convinced her to take her daughter to the hospital (because it was after hours and on the weekend)..in the 15 minutes it took to get there, it went from 102 to 105.7 (that was even after medication).
**ADDED - fever started to creep up again around 2:30 pm. I spoke to our doctor who feels that it probably does have to run it's course but beings it had been the better part of 4 days it was running a bit long. They will see her tomorrow morning @ 9:30. If the fever (which is gone right now) stays gone and she's ok in morning, we don't have to bring her in. Thanks again all.
I'd take her to see the doctor-she's so little-can't afford to lose weight-don't feel great about the persistent fever-maybe it's a virus-maybe strep?? Good luck!
All 3 of my grandchildren had the same thing. Vomiting for several days along with a high fever that took 5-7 days to break. Since it's viral there's nothing the doctor will do unless the child is dehydrated or the fever won't come down with anything.
I'd say since she's doing a bit better to let it run it's course. Just think back to a time when you might have had the flu. It takes a little time to resume your normal eating and drinking routine. Keep giving her liquids and have things around for her to snack on. She's on the road to recovery.
When it comes to fevers, I usually give it five days. With my two daughters (ages 8 and 5), viruses causing fevers tend to run their course in five days or less. This being the third day, I'd say she should start to feel better, however it being Friday, if it were me, I'd put a call into the ped and talk to the nurse just to be on the safe side. If the nurse thinks your daughter should be seen, then bring her in. If not, just keep an eye on her. However, it just being a fever, I think you will start to see her feeling better by the end of the weekend.
Sorry your baby is sick!!
Sounds like a stomach virus which will need to run its course. As long as you see that she is getting (feeling) better than I would just let it be. If her fever is not high I would not try to break it (fevers are the body's natural way to fight off infection). Make sure she continues to drink liquids and try some toast and/or light foods.
Most viruses last about 7 to 14 days, but if she stops showing improvement then call the doctor.
Yep - let it run it's course and treat symptoms as they occur.
A virus can leave you tired and run down for awhile and it can take some time to bounce back to normal.
Keep up with the fluids, let her take a bath when ever she wants to (my son always found a bath to be comforting when he's not feeling well) and keep an eye on her temperature.
Wow.. that is tough... you've been trying to wait it out, and do pretty much what the doctor will suggest.
Most likely it is a virus... there have been a bunch going around this year, it seems...
But.... it a way, I am also one to think I'd rather get her seen before the weekend, in case there is something else I could do. Having this go one for 4 days is a bit of a stretch....
You've done a good job on keeping her comfortable and pushing the liquids... this is a tough one... let us know how it goes!
If her fever has broken, she's feeling better, and not vomiting....she's getting better and should be okay. After being that ill, of course she's not going to be completely well for a few days. She'll need to eat light and rest and keep pushing liquids.
Just let her recuperate. She'll be okay. But if it makes YOU feel better, call the on-call nurse and have her tell you the same thing. ;-)
With a very small child, I was told that if the child wasn't improving in 3 days, to call the doctor back, so if your 5 yr old is improving, my guess is a stomach bug or food poisoning that will run its course. Try flat, diluted pedialyte or gatorade, in small sips. I also used crushed ice just held in the mouth one teaspoonful at a time every 10-20 mins when we all had the worst flu ever (nurse said it bypassed the tummy). We got sick between the 23rd and 24th of Dec that year and the stepkids didn't go see their mom til the 26th and were still not really well, but on the mend. I'd give her more time to recover.
When I'm on the fence I phone.
I would definitely take her to the doctor. This thing has been going on for too long and I would really be too worried to not get her in.
I agree wholeheartedly with Robin that this could be strep. My husband had strep two weeks ago with the same kind of fever and the nausea. They had to give him a trash can at the care center I took him to on a Sunday. If it's strep, they can do a test right there and then, and give her a shot to help her, in addition to oral antibiotics.
Don't wait for 2:00 for your decision - they may not be able to fit her in, and you shouldn't be relying on phone conversations anymore at this point.
Call now.
Dawn
I would call the advice nurse just to be sure.
Hope your baby is feeling better soon!!!!
