My LO started off with a runny nose and three nights ago, spiked a fever. He's had a fever for four days now. It measures 99 - 101 degrees during the day and 101 - 103 degrees during the night. I've been giving him Advil and Benadryl (for the runny nose) and just yesterday, added Tylenol as well. He's very clingy, kind of lethargic, some diarrhea and some lost of appetite. As I'm writing all this down, I feel like I should just take him in to see his doctor. Should I take him to urgent care or make an appointment with his ped?
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Absolutely. A fever of 103 definitely would result in a trip to the ped right away for us.
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I would take him to the ped right away and urgent care if your ped's office is not open. Good luck!
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I would def take LO to the ped. Maybe call the after care line if they're not open today and see if they suggest going to urgent care. Either way, I'd make sure LO was seen.
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@BunnyDragon: not to encourage you not take him in, but just to maybe calm your fears....my LO did the same thing this past week. We called the nurse and she said a fever isn't an issue unless it reached 104/105. That a minor fever is okay and helps them build their immune system. I'm not sure how true that is but I just kept a close eye on her and she is doing so much better already without medicine or a doctor (: iIf I were you, I would call the doctor and see if they suggest you come in or go to urgent care. It sucks so bad having a sick baby.
Eta: I would also make sure to follow my gut. If you think it's more than a common cold that will pass on it's own, definitely take LO in.
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How old is your LO? Are you taking a rectal temp?
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It's not the height of the fever that you should take kids in for. It's duration. If they have documented fever of Above 100.4 for babie under two months (for any duration of time) they need a rule out sepsis. If they have a true fever of 101.3 or above for five days straight, then you need to consider Kawasaki. A visit to the pediatrician should suffice. No need for urgent care unless they are acutely dehydrated or in respiratory distress.
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@Mrs. Jacks: just for future reference, if the fever has been 101.3 or higher for a couple days, do you wait for the pediatrician to make an appointment? Last time I wanted to take her in they didn't have an appointment until 3 days out and said to take her to urgent care to be seen same day. Should I have waited the 3 days? Or is it more important to have her seen sooner? Thank you (:
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@hellocupcake: I ask for a same day appointment at the pediatrician and tell them exactly why. They should have some same day appointments. Urgent care docs are great for otitis media and acute respiratory illness but less good at staged work ups. If urgent care is all you have then that's what you have to use. I usually don't call until I hit 5 days of fever because it almost always breaks before then.
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@matador84: he is 11 months old and we don't have a rectal thermometer just a forehead scanner.
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Thank you guys for your advice and support. I'm going to call the nurse line and see if she can squeeze in an appt for my Lo for tomorrow. Online schduler says our ped is fully booked tomorrow. @Mrs. Jacks: I was really hoping you would comment on this post. Thank you so much.
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I take him in if it's 101+ for four days. Or if he has other symptoms that warrant concern (dehydration, rash, etc).
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I would... Listen to your gut!
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Our Ped says for kids 1 and up they wont be seen until day 5 of a fever - drives me crazy but there has only been 1 time when the fever didn't break before day 5.
At 11 months I would probably call and speak with a nurse to see what she thinks!
Good luck!
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I take my son to the ped at the first sign of a temperature, especially if he has had congestion the week or so before, because for us, it means an ear infection.
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Poor mommy - I would at least give the doctor a call. I would take him in first thing in the morning considering he had 101-103 for 5 days. Good luck!
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I called the nurse line yesterday and she told me to bring LO in. After his nap, fever went down so I wanted to see how he does the rest of the day. Fever went up to 101 again in the evening. Instead of going to the ER and waiting for hours to be seen, I decided to call our ped's office in the morning to see anyone who's available since our primary isn't available. I just called and the receptionist put me through the nurse to see if LO needs to be seen today since it's a Monday and they're busy. The nurse put me through guilt trip for not bringing LO in yesterday like I was told to. I'm feeling crappy. When fellow Bees post that they feel awful for something they did or didn't do, I tell them, "you do what you feel is right." I just can't help myself, but feel like a failure. Appt is in a couple of hours. Hopefully, it's nothing serious
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@BunnyDragon: Hugs and shame on the nurse for making you feel that way. I hope all is well
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@BunnyDragon: To be honest, I think you are fine. Don't beat yourself up. So many times I brought LO in on the 2nd or 3rd day of fever, and got sent home and was told it is a virus and we have to wait it out. Sometimes I took him in for 2 times after it doesn't go down for 5+ days, same response. I called them everyday sometimes and they probably thought I was crazy. I hope your LO is ok - just call them a little earlier next time.
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@BunnyDragon: Is your child OK?
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@irene: thanks for being so thoughtful. Doctor concluded that it's viral after he heard the other symptoms. He didn't prescribe anything just told me to keep the baby hydrated. I'm ok with no meds because I hate giving meds to a baby multiple times a day! I'm hoping he recovers soon. It's his bday party this weekend.
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@BunnyDragon: That's great to know! I know all would be well. You should have mentioned that nurse's attitude to your pediatrician. I hope your baby is feeling better by now! And happy birthday!
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