Fevers- how long does your DC's fevers last?

[es1967]

My 4.5 yr old son came down w a fever on friday during the night.  It was around 102 until Sunday evening then went up to 105.8.  It scared me b/c he was really out of it- lethargic, etc.  Up until Sun he was playing and it did not bother him too much.  Took him to the Dr yesterday and the Dr said it was a virus.  He also tested him for strep which was negative.    I've been giving him Motrin because when the fever starts climbing he is miserable-shivering, then hot, moaning etc, etc.  I try to wait as long as I can to give him the next dose.  Plus, I don't like giving him Motrin this long.  I'm really worried b/c we have never had a fever that lasted this long.  In the past they are 2-3 days max. He tends to run high but I am scared since its not staying down. How long do your children's fever last?  Anyone have one that lasted this long?  Its been really stressful seeing him so sick.  

[HeatherB]

I'm sorry he's so sick. Other than the fever, how is he? I would try to look past the fever itself and see how he's doing. The ideal goal is to treat the child, not the fever. Is he looking better, or worse, or the same? Is he in a good mood until the fever goes up (it's normal for it to rise at night), or miserable no matter what? How high is the fever going? Has it changed over the course of the illness?

Most likely, he's nearing the end of the illness. However, if you see that he's getting worse or not improving, particularly if he is truly lethargic and unresponsive, then you will want to take him back to be seen again. You may also consider letting the fever run its course, keeping him as comfortable as possible, so the immune system has the best shot of fighting it off quickly. Sometimes, it seems that medicating fevers can prolong illnesses.

No matter what, though, go with your gut. If you think he's fine, go with it. If you think he needs to be seen or needs additional care, go for it. Mamas know best!

[es1967]

Thanks for your response.  I don't medicate until I feel its absolutely necessary.  If he's 104 and acting normal I'm fine w that but if he's close to106 and delerious (sp?) I feel I need to do something.    It got very scary.  The past few days the fever has jumped from 100 to 105 in aprx an hr which made him shiver and feel horrible.  His heart was beating so fast. Then it(temp) keeps rising.   We are on day 6 of this.  The Dr said it may be Roseola which can cause high fevers just like this.  Other than the fever and what it causes he acts normal. The symptoms sound just like it so I am hoping we are on the last day. 

[HeatherB]

I hope so! It is so hard when they're so miserable.

[Lovemy3girls]

Hi, may I join in?

My 2 yr old has had a couple of fevers this week fighting off a really nasty bug. Her fever didn't get quite as high as 105 but her older sister runs very high fevers like that which can be a little scary. I know it is worrisome and stressful when a fever rises so quickly. That does seem like an unusualIy long time for a fever. I hope your son is doing alright. I guess his immune system is really rallying the troops. But it's a great sign he's acting normal again like you said.

Edited by Lovemy3girls - 3/9/11 at 11:28am

[es1967]

Well, the fever is finally gone.  This fever lasted 6 days.  The symptoms were just like Roseola except he did not get the rash.  I guess not everyone gets the rash. Anyways, its been a rough week. 

[CarrieMF]

If there was no rash it was not Roseola.  Around here there is a high fever virus going around. a few kids may throw up 1-2 times, but some don't.  My dd had it from Fri night till Mon/Tues.  Mon/Tues it was lower but she was still sick.  She now has a sore throat & cough.    quite a few of the kids at her school have had it too.  

[mattemma04]

My dd is 12 and feverish these past few days. When she had a fever last week (or the week before) it lasted 3 days.She hit 105.5 at one point,but was eating and drinking still. It is hard not to give fever reducer. I have not these past few days,but I did when it  was 105.5-only once.

I think the length and temp will vary with everyone.My ds is 8 and handles fevers far worse than my dd does. I go by behavior more than numbers, and will avoid the meds so the fever can kill off the germs.

Follow your gut. Healings for your little one.

[es1967]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF 

If there was no rash it was not Roseola.  Around here there is a high fever virus going around. a few kids may throw up 1-2 times, but some don't.  My dd had it from Fri night till Mon/Tues.  Mon/Tues it was lower but she was still sick.  She now has a sore throat & cough.    quite a few of the kids at her school have had it too.  

I read in numerous places that the rash does not always appear.  This was on the Dr Sear's site under Roseola.

"Sometimes this virus will cause 3 to 7 days of high fever, with no other symptoms and no rash. Some children will have swelling of the glands in the front and back of the neck, runny nose, cough, ear pain, vomiting or diarrhea with this illness. Children can have one or all of these symptoms"