8-mo-old with fever: straight to the doctor?

[foreignerforlife]

My 8-mo-old has a fever and stuffy nose along with general misery. He's been this way for about 24 hours. Last night was AWFUL. Do I need to take him to the doctor, or can I just give him tylanol tonight and go tomorrow if he's not better? We're in Germany, so "going to the doctor" on the weekend means going to the emergency room of the children's hospital. Advice? Thanks!

[laohaire]

I don't take my DD in to the doctor for just a fever.

How is he otherwise? Is he listless, glassy-eyed? Or is he just feeling lousy, waking up more at night, maybe napping more in the day, playing a little or wanting to be entertained a little (being read to, watching tv, whatever)? If the latter, then you don't have a problem and I wouldn't worry another minute about it, and just nurse him through the illness. If the former, I'd consider a doctor visit.

[Shaki]

How high is the fever? My ped usually takes a watch and wait approach. He advises to give tylenol and than take a warm bath. Letting the water cool slowly as your babe sits in the bath can help lower the body temp. But if fever is alarmingly high, babe is listless, not feeding, or your mama instincts are saying medical attention is needed than go.