Would this worry you?

[mama to 2 girls]

My 3 yr old dd started a fever Thursday evening I knew she was pretty warm but ate well at dinner and wasn't too cranky so I let her be but by Friday morning she was pretty warm and had a clear runny nose and an occasional dry cough....She started feeling pretty HOT about mid-day or so, so I took her temp and it was about 103 or so, she was really tired all day and had puffy eyes that were starting to look a little blood shot but I hate breaking a fever so I sent her to bed without any tylenol but before I went to bed I was afraid of it spiking and I would sleep right thru it, so I went into her room and she was pretty restless so I ended giving her a dose of tylenol. When she woke up this morning she was a tad bit warm but just barely.

She hasn't really had too much of an appetite at all but she is drinking water.

SOOOO to get to my ACTUAL question.....Tonight she is getting warm again, not like she was last night but getting warmer. Is that normal because it is getting to be later and later and she is still trying to fight off this cold or whatever it is?

Would you be worried that it would get high again? Like I said I don't like breaking a fever unless they are really uncomfortable but I AM a BIG worrier.

[pianojazzgirl]

Fevers tend to increase at night. I wouldn't be worrying in your case. If you're really worried can you sleep in her room with her tonight? (or perhaps have dp sleep in her bed so you and her can share the master bed)?

[sbgrace]

Fevers tend to increase in the evening. I can't remember why but there is a biological process to that the pediatrician explained. When my son got a secondary infection he seemed much better and then spiked even higher/was much sicker the next evening--104 or 105 if I remember right and it had been 101 or so the day previous. He drastically worsened in all ways and my mom instinct at the time (I knew nothing about secondary infections/spreading infections/etc. at that point) was something was horribly wrong with him. I think that sounds way different than what's happening w/ your daughter.

[no5no5]

I don't want to say that I'd worry, but I'd definitely be looking in on her. Personally, I'd just give the tylenol...but my DD usually goes way up (typically 104+) when she gets a fever and she gets very uncomfortable. If I give her tylenol at bedtime, she usually sleeps much better (and tylenol will only lower, and not eliminate, a fever in my DD). I understand wanting to let a fever run its course, but for us sleep is more important. You could try a half-dose, perhaps.

[mama to 2 girls]

Thanks for the replies. Tonight will be 3 days officially that she has had a fever. Not nearly as high as the other night but still warm. I'm not sure how long I should let her go on like this.......

She went outside today and played....not as energetic as usual but she did get out and play more that she has in the past couple days.

So my new question is, how long would you let a fever go on for?

[zinemama]

Do you have a doctor's office that you can call? If I were as worried as you sound I would certainly want to talk to a medical professional for reassurance, as opposed to a bunch of strangers on the internet.

[pianojazzgirl]

Originally Posted by zinemama

Do you have a doctor's office that you can call? If I were as worried as you sound I would certainly want to talk to a medical professional for reassurance, as opposed to a bunch of strangers on the internet.

Yes, I agree with this. Or is there a nurses line that you can call? I have to say that from what you describe I would not be worried. Not at all. Especially since she is playing and seeming "ok" (not in perfect health, but not lethargic or anything). I would feel fine just waiting and watching (again, just going on what you've posted here.) BUT... ultimately you are the mama - not us - so you need to make sure that you are comfortable with how things are progressing, iykwim. And you are the one there with her IRL so only you have the full picture.

Hope she's feeling better soon!

ETA my perspective is that of a mama who's ds would always run a fever with a simple cold, and often for several days. So, for him that was normal, and I wouldn't worry. Like I said before only you know your dd and if this is normal for her, and if she "seems like herself".

[pianojazzgirl]

You might find this link to be helpful.