another fever thread... when to worry?

[mammom]

I am usually not a big fever watcher... I understand that fevers are a good thing and that the body is just taking care of itself through fevers... However, ds (2 yo) has had a pretty high fever (102+) for most of the day and I'm starting to wonder if I should try taking it down in a warm-ish bath or something.

A little background if necessary: He woke me up around 4:30 this morning (as usual) but I noticed that he felt kind of warm. Then when we got up around 6:30 he was really warm. I mentioned it to him and he said he had a fever (which I thought was very smart of him!). He was in a pretty good mood for an hour or so then has been a crab most of the day; has napped a few times.

I started him on belladonna around 1:30 or so, one every fifteen minutes for an hour, then one every half-hour for another hour or so and I don't think it did anything for the fever. Then he took a nap again, so he's been off it for about two hours.

He ate a little this morning (apples and some blueberries and bran flakes), then he threw up around 9:00. He hasn't been sick again and has eaten a little more (some yogurt, some toast and is now eating a banana). I don't really think this is a stomach thing.

My main question is at the beginning on my post - when would you start to take down a fever? Or would you just leave it alone? I don't know if a relatively high fever is a big deal after a certain amount of time, or if the amount of time doesn't matter.

Thanks to anyone that can offer some advice!

[annalily]

My only concern is dehydration when they have a high fever for an extended amount of time or with vomiting/diarrhea. So far, from what you describe, I would not worry or try to bring down the fever. It's not really very high and hasn't been very long yet. (easy for me to say, right!)

Is he nursing? If so I would definitely let him nurse as much as possible. If not, just get some liquids in him and don't encourage any eating.

I think you're probably right that it isn't a gastrointestinal illness; his body is just saying, 'no food right now' because it's busy.

Hang in there. Just keep an eye on him and how he's acting.

[Gitti]

I would do nothing. Dehydration is when a child does not urinate in 24 hours - this was postered by someone whose ER doc told her so.

Let him guide you as to what to do. If he is not hungry don't push food, same with liquids. And when his fever breaks, he'll make up for everything.

I would let him sleep as much as possible in a darkened room. That's about it.

He probably isn't vaccinated, right?

[mammom]

Hi again... As soon as I posted earlier, his fever started to break (of course!). And he said he was hungry, so he ate. He did nurse all day, so he definitely stayed hydrated. (And no, never a vaccine in his sweet little body!)

I think I was just afraid that I was being a little cocky! All my mom friends freak out at any sign of fever and start giving tylenol or call the doctor, while I'm sitting back letting him bake! I guess I need to learn to trust my gut... I mean I *do* trust my gut normally, but I started second guessing myself. He's had a high-ish fever before, but kept his playful personality. Today he was crabby and sleepy and not himself at all. The "what-ifs" kicked in.

Thank you for checking in and for the reassurance!

[Ruthla]

Glad to hear he's feeling better!

[Emmeline II]

If you haven't read it already read "How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor"; Dr. Mendelsohn deticates a lot of space of fevers.

[Strong Mama]

About the dehydration thing...recently my son had a temp of 105 for about 3 days with a severe chest infection(to which thank god my insticts told me to take him in) but anyway....he did not drink anything for about 14 hours and he had no wet diaper from 9am to about 7pm and then he peed once. And he was fine..started drinking after that. He wasnt throwing up though but I was getting a little worried toward the end there.

[annalily]

Glad he's feeling better!

[Deborah]

Great job Mammon! Sometimes after children have 24 hours plus of fever it can result in a developmental jump. No idea why, but my daughter has observed it and when I mentioned it a while back in this forum, some other parents chimed in and said yeah.

With my granddaughter it was the chickenpox. I saw her a couple of weeks before and a couple of weeks after and what a change in behavior!

So you are a good momma for letting your children wend their way through a sickness without immediately dumping in drugs.

Deborah