My daughter will be three in about a week...she spiked a fever Friday and was lethargic but had no other symptoms. She perked back up after a round of Mortrin, but continued with this cycle for two days. I was waiting the standard 72 hours before calling the pediatrician (so their website says) and today, aside from grouchiness she seems fine. Do they get any teeth at this age? Does anyone have any ideas on this one? Do they get fevers when they grow? I'm at a loss here.
I would call the pediatrician ASAP. My son, albeit this was earlier this year, was going through a similar period with fevers spiking as you have described. It turned out to be walking pneumonia of all things. I understand it is still going around even this late in the season. Hopefully and most likely this is not the case with your little one but maybe you shouldn't wait to call.
Suzi:
just spoke to a dentist he tells me that 3 year old should already have all of its teeth.
he says they should have 10 teeth in each arch.
Patrica, RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
You didn't specify how high the fever was...
but a raised temperature is a sign that your child's immune system is revving up. The immune system's purpose is to prevent and defend the body againt attacks from viruses and germs.
If you give motrin/tylenol at the first sign of a raised temp, you're basically shutting off the immune system's motor. I don't give my son anything for fevers unless the fever is 101 or higher, or if he's very uncomfortable. I make sure he has plenty of fluids since a raised temp can cause dehydration. If the fever lasts more than a day or two, then at that point I sometimes give him something.
Info on fevers http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/hc/chi/baby/parfever.jsp
it might have just been a virus that was passing through...
My son turned 3 at the end of March, so just over 2 months ago. I remember at ABOUT his 3rd birthday wondering if he was getting some kind of molars for the same kinds of reasons. Lasted just a couple days and then he was over it. We just went to the dentist last week and he said he has 20 teeth as he should. Don't know what that little spell was but it passed quickly. She's probably fine and whatever it was passed or is on the tail end it sounds like. Kids can get fevers and such for so many different reasons as the body is just trying to fix what's not right at the time, so I wouldn't worry too much about it since she seems to be doing better now and it seems to have passed so quickly, unless you want to bring her in for peace of mind if you are still concerned.
We had the same thing this Saturday. My 3 year old was fine in the morning and an hour later he had the chills and was running a fever which eventually spiked to 103 in the afternoon. We just gave him Tylenol and Motrin and he was better after about a day and a half. I don't know what it was, but one of the other kids at daycare had the same thing yesterday. Very strange, but he's doing fine today!
I would call the pediatrician especially if the fever was over 101. Hope she feels better.
My 2 older boys have what I call phantom fevers (at different times of course) - I took both of them to the Dr. and even he said he couldn't find anything wrong. So I just give them Motrin then Tylonol as directed. I still have no idea what was wrong but they would have there Motrin and be very perky running around again and then the fever would hit again and they'd be crabby. No other symtoms just crabby and tired looking with a fever. It usually lasts about 2 full days and it's gone!
H.
