moderate fever and vomiting *update-- red spots on cheeks and trunk... shaky movements

[shanniesue2]

Yesterday evening, DS started running a fever and vomiting. Fever is in the 101.5 range, so I haven't given any tylenol or motrin or anything... He threw up yesterday at about 8:00 at my parent's house and then 3 or 4 more times overnight. Hasn't thrown up since about 6:00 this morning. I'm wondering if I should run out and get him some pedialyte or something. He has nursed this morning, but I'm not sure what my milk supply is b/c until this morning and in the middle of the night, he hadn't nursed in 2-3 weeks... so I don't see how nursing at this point would be able to replace anything that he's lost in vomiting. He has been drinking water at his own pace since we woke up this morning and hasn't thrown any up... but through the night, he couldn't keep any water down and he'd throw up every time I'd give him something to drink (at one point, he asked for juice, we put just a dash and then added water to it just to give him the taste).

I'm pretty sure this is just a virus and haven't made any plans to see/call the ped unless we start seeing signs of dehydration. I mean at thispoint, the only thing I think the dr's office would tell us to do is give him tylenol or motrin for the fever, but I don't think the fever is high enough to treat.

So basically, would you give pedialyte in this situation?

[pianojazzgirl]

Since he's been managing water since this morning I'd feel ok to leave it at that, barring, of course, any signs of dehydration. But pedialyte wouldn't hurt, and if it helps your peace of mind (which is important too!) and isn't too much of a PIA to go pick up then maybe you should go for it. So I don't think it's necessary at this point, but certainly wouldn't be harmful (unless he reacts to food dyes!). FWIW we always keep a box of pedialyte freezies on hand (a couple frozen in the freezer and the rest in a box in the cupboard) just in case. Maybe now would be a good time to stock up so that a) it helps put your mind at ease right now, and b) you have them on hand in case you need them in the future.

[shanniesue2]

update... I've noticed that he's starting to develop little red spots (they aren't itchy). He has 3 on his cheeks and 4-5 on his trunk. He's shaky when he moves. Still doesn't want to eat, but has had a wet diaper and is drinking water and nursing. I haven't been able to make it out yet for pedialyte.... DH is at church and should be home within the hour, I will probably have him pick some up on the ay home. Our ped does have Sunday hours, and I just had them page the nurse on call.

What do you think?

[mamazee]

Lots of viruses have rashes and they're seldom at all serious. I'd read this http://askdrsears.com/html/11/T082900.asp to help you describe it to the nurse, but I wouldn't worry about it.

[bri276]

I'd definitely get the pedialyte because water doesn't replace electrolytes and the shakiness could be low blood sugar- or it could be the fever. The ped might want to see the spots to see if they look like a rash. Do the spots blanch when you press on them? It's important with all rashes that the spots turn pale when you press on them- if they stay dark that's an immediate ER trip (but it's very rare).

[shanniesue2]

one of the spots has developed a white center and the nurse has us monitoring for chicken pox