HELP With Fever for 5 Days

There's no harm in getting them looked at. Last month my daughter who is 26 months (and also a twin), had a fever for over a week. We took her in to Children's when her fever was 104.5. She ended up having an ear infections (her first one). It took 2 different kinds of anti-biotics to finally get rid of it.

It depends on high the fever is. If it is a mild fever, 100 of less just watch them. If it is more than 102 for several days, then they should probable be seen. Are they pulling at the ears at all, or the ear is red could be a ear infection. Totaly refusing to eat or drink could be strep. These are bacterial infection and need anti-biotics, and a normal cold virus doesn't respond to anti-biotics. If they not drinking and peeing, about every 4-5 hrs. then they need to be seen, because they are getting dehydrated. Run the vaporizer/humidfier and use the little nose sucker bulb to get the gunk out of the nose. If its a virus (last 7-10 days) it will be over soon, but it wont be the last.

If the fever has been occurring for more than 72 hours or 3 days your kids need to be seen. I have attached a link from my pediatrician's website that references a larger site, Pediatric Web (I hope it works. Email me if it doesn't). Anytime something is going on with my kids I use this as a reference so I know when and how to take action. I have seen other pediatricians use this site as a link on their websites as well.

http://stapleton.pediatricweb.com/web145/pedwebarticle1.asp

Best wishes!

PS---I just tried my link. Click on the Illness/Symptoms arrow and scroll down to "Fever" to get the full info.

Hi K.,

I would take them in for some antibiotics. The reason I say this is because in May my 1 year old daughter had a fever due to teething, I called her doctor and i was told to keep her hydrated and alternate between the Tylenol and Motrin, which i did but nothing changed. One night i was feeding her after we had taken her temperature which was 99.9 at the time within seconds her fever jumped from 99.9 to 104 and she had a seizure. It was worst feeling i had ever had. I ended up calling 911 and is fine now. Good luck and hope your kids feel better soon.

Sounds like a virus of some kind. My son always get those, what I call "phantom fevers" because they don't seem to have a cause. I have taken him to ER before because his skin was just hot to the touch and they could find nothing causing it. All I can suggest is Pedialyte pops, luke warm baths, and cleaning out their noses with an aspirator until the fever runs its course. The most important sign is how they are acting. If the fever isn't effecting their moods- they're not lethargic or anything- then I wouldn't worry too much. I know it's hard! I picked up my son out of his crib one morning and I started sweating, he was SO hot! My step-daughter also gets random incredibly high fevers. Their body is fighting something but as long as they are still in good spirits and eating, it's a good sign their body is doing what it's supposed to.

Could be ear infection this causes fever. Need to get them into pediatrician.

Your dr. didn't want you to bring them in? When my daughter's had a fever for several days it's always strep or an ear infection. I would bring them in today if I were you.

Hi K.,

I'm not a doctor, but I do have a six year old boy and a three year old girl. I have read that repeatedly giving aspirin to children for fevers can later cause problems for their systems. Just make sure the Tylenol is aspirin-free. There is a product for infants called FeverAll that has Acetaminophen in it and it worked for both of our children. I found it at Whole Foods. The book Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Zand, Walton and Rountree is fabulous for all childhood ailments with excellent advice from both Western and Eastern perspectives. Key factors are how high the fevers are and for how long. My children both weathered fevers up to 104 at home but when it went higher than that we took our daughter in to Urgent Care to check her ears because earaches can follow high fevers. Thankfully, her ears were fine and the fever went away the next day (even though we didn't do anything different).

Hi! How high are the fevers? I too have 21 month old twin boys. About 3 weeks ago they got sick with exactly the same thing.. There was no vomitting, they were still happy little guys, they just seemed to get tired easier and were running fevers of about 101 or so. I took them to the drs and one had an ear infection, but the other one was ok. It lasted about a week and then it was gone. The dr said it was a infection that antibiotics wouldnt help (except one got antibiotics for the ear infection) If your uncomfortable you should take them to the dr's just to give yourself peace of mind, but I think it will pass! Good Luck!

Hi K.,

Try giving them luke warm baths, and don't keep them too over dressed while in the house. Also, take some vicks and place it on the bottoms of their feet, put on socks...This will hep with congestions and runny noses. Whatever you do KEEP giving them liquids...fevers do cause dehydration, and that in itself is life threatening, especially here in Colorado. If the fevers do not stop, Take them to Urgent Care. I will say a prayer for Gods healing touch!
Blessings,

C.

K.,
Hope this finds your family well. My daughter had this same thing twice this fall. It eventually went away, the doctor said it was just a virus going around. All of the kids in her class were getting it too. Hope they feel better. Gatorade works wonders for toddlers who are dehydrated, if they may have it. :o)

E.

Hey Kinzie, yes take your babies to the doc. They are NOT supposed to run a fever for that long. Good luck. J.

My 1 year old just had this! I couldn't believe that he could run a fever for so long. I just kept him really hydrated used a humidifier and gave him baths every night before bed. I did end up taking him to the emergency room one night when he was burning hot and wouldn't go back to sleep but they pretty much said there was nothing they could do. Just alternate the tylenol and motrin like you have been.... it does eventually go away! Good luck :]

I hate it when doctors do that!!!!! I can't say it enough...follow your gut. If you think your babies need to see the doctor then insist on an appointment. If you think the doctor is off base with their diagnosis then tell them you don't agree and why. I got this advice from my sister-in-law and it has been the best advice I ever got. I have seen her in action with her kids and medical care. She is always polite, but does not back down. And she has been right. She doeen't even work in the medical field, she works in the finacial field. But she follows her gut.

Go to a doctor and make them to check VERY WELL and probably do an X-ray !!!! Do not seat at home and wait till the fever will be gone like most doctors say. It is not normal to have high fever for so long.
I almost could create more problems for my 16 m.o.. She had very high fever, we finally took her to emergency who did not see any problems and we were sent home with reccomendation to use tylenol and motrin,the doctor did not check her carefully, 2 days later at the follow up appointment with our pediatrician we found out she has pneumonia. I am glad I went it could be late if I waited
How the doctors check and what they think who knows. Now I will always do double check and even if it will cost me extra money since we do not have an insurance hat covers a lot of basics.

K.- I would also say that if you're unsure and simply uncomfortable, just take them in and have them checked out. If it turns out to be nothing, that's ok, but you're the mom and you need to do what you feel is best. I always did. Don't ever feel bad about calling the on call docs at night either. That's their job. Take your babies in and get an answer. You'll feel better about it.

I have a twelve month old that ran a fever for four days (sometimes as high as 104)with no other symptoms. She was put on an antibiotic just in case. Then she developed a rash. I was afraid it was the antibiotic, so we went back to the doctor. It turns out, she has roseola which is a viral infection and is spread through droplet (cough, sneeze, etc.)contact. Apparently, the only serious aspect of it is the fever if it gets too high. My doctor said the virus lasts about a week, but not all kids will show up with a rash, just the fever. My doctor gave me info from Mayoclinic.com which was really helpful. Maybe this is a possible reason for your childrens' fever. Hope this helps. Sorry, didn't read your update! My daughter had red ears also, so initially we thought ear infections but then the rash turned up. Anyway, glad it all worked out!

Yes I think you should take your children in to see their pediatrician. Its not good for them to run a fever for such a long period of time. A fever indicates the body is trying to fight off a cold or virus. Hopefully it isn't an ear infection but thankfully if it is there is antibiodics for it.

When you called the doctors office did you speak to a nurse regarding their symptoms? Its key to keep them hydrated and give them motrin or tylenol for pain and fever. Sometimes it could be an ear infection or something viral. If you are worried I would take them to see their doctor. It cant hurt and im sure it will give you peace of mind as well. I hope they get well soon.

Im a working mom of a 23 month old boy.

I would say if they are acting pretty normal, playing and stuff than I would give them some more time, but if they are fussy and unhappy on top of it then take them in. Fevers can be good for your children if you keep them comfortable enough to play, it means they are building and fighting against bad stuff.

You don't say how high the fever is, but I would take them in to the doctor at this point.

I would get them in. I know a few weeks ago my daughter who is six had a fever on and off almost 7 days. It would be low or non existent in the mornings, then high later and no other symptoms other then a slight cough (which got worse). I finally took her in and she had WALKING PNUEMONIA! I felt awful not taking her sooner! She seemed okay though, not lethargic, just this mystery fever. Don't ever underestimate fevers because it is something that is going on their body is trying to fight off. My daughter had to go on antibiotics because her body wasn't fighting it off, within 24 hours on her meds she was so much better. Talk to your regular Pediatrician!

I would say that if it's a fever of 103 or higher, you should take them in to the doctor. Also, listen to your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable and like something is not right, take them in. Even if there is nothing the doc can do, it might put your mind at ease. Good Luck! M.