Toddler has had fever for a week...

[crisvow8]

Hi, just wanted to post something to see what you think. my toddler, he will be 3 in March, has been sick for a week now. started last friday night..came down with high fever (103.9) no other symptoms. came out of no where too. then on Sat. he started with coughing, running nose. fever was high all weekend long sometime over 104. but he does have the tendency to run high fevers when he gets sick. All weekend I had to alternate Tylenol & Motrin to keep the fever down. On monday, I was able to start controlling it with just Motrin. It is now a week later and he is still running a fever (102) He has been to the dr. 4x's, had blood work and a chest xray. nothing was found. Dr. wants to re-check his blood and chest tomorrow if he still has a fever in the morning. He is on antibiotics too b/c he does have what the dr. says, Bronchitis. and the chest xray did show that.

I guess I just need some reassurance that other Moms out there have had kids with fevers for this long. He is in fine spirits considering how long he has been sick. playing, eating, drinking. he is not 100% himself, however, he is not laying around all day lethargic either.

Dr. today said could just be a virus running its course, possible Epstein Bar. Blood culture was neg. for blood infection. I have rambled enough. Thanks for anyone who has read this.

[Marnica]

What you are describing seems pretty normal for a virus. My 20month old just got over something similar recently. I do not medicate fevers as they are the body's natural defense mechanism (if I need to give something if they are uncomfartable from the fever I use homeopathy). There is quite a bit of scientific literature that suggests using antipyretics actually prevents healing on acellular level (which can cause worse things to happen) and causes the symptoms to go on longer.

Does your doc know that the bronchitis is bacterial in nature? Most cases are viral. Is the junk that is coming out think and green? Def start giving your LO probiotics to offset the negative effects of the antibiotics!

I hope your LO feels better soon and I'm sure he will be fine! Read this from Dr. Sears. It made me feel much better able to handle my child's illnesses when they occur. http://www.askdrsears.com/html/11/T081000.asp

[willew]

My little ones have had the same symptoms for the past week, too. My oldest one just had his fever break, finally. At least for us, It has been just a really nasty cold. I don't think we have ever had fevers last that long in our house before.

[crisvow8]

thanks for the responses! made me feel better. I do give him probiotics. the doc told me to keep giving him the antibiotics as a preventative measure at this point b/c by the time we got the blood work results and everything he was already on them. I hope this fever leaves soon! It has broken several times but just keeps coming back.

[willew]

I hear you on wanting this fever gone. I haven't slept since last Friday. As much as the little ones need breaks, so do the mamas.