What's the 'danger zone' for a child's temp?

[Leah]

My daughter (6) came home from school Monday because she was complaining of an upset stomach and had dry-heaved a couple of times. We went to the dr. and when we got there, her temp was 99.6. They did a strep and flu test-both of which came back negative. When we left, she had a 100.4 temp and they told us it was just a virus and do the obligatory 'keep hydrated' and 'lots of rest'.

That night, Monday, her temp spiked to 102.8 and I called the nurse. She went through a variety of things with me and said the same as above and just keep an eye on her and call back if there are any new symptoms or it gets higher.

Tuesday, she started complaining that her throat was hurting and her fever was still around 101 all day WITH tylenol. Her throat got worse last night so I call the dr. back today and take her back in. They do another strep test (in case the other one was taken too early) and it is still negative. They say that it's a virus and could take 3-7 days to get out of her system.

So tonight, about an hour ago, her temp was 103.6. It is coming down with Tylenol (it's now 101.7), but seriously-WHAT ELSE CAN I DO???

Dr. Dave? Tim? I could use some comforting words right now. She is pitiful and my heart is breaking right now. I hate to see her like this.

[CexMashean]

I need to ask Lana, she knows what the danger zone is.

[Neon131]

Always heard anything over 104 that won't break is something to really worry about. We've always had luck alternating Tylenol and Motrin in the suggested time intervals to keep a fever under control. Of course every kid is different. We have 2 little ones, 3 and 5 that always seem to find some way to catch a snotty nose.

[kenny c]

My daughter had a febrile seizure - temp spike to 107, turned blue, distal afterwards, etc. While in the ER we were told anything over 104 they need to go to the ER.

[Leah]

Always heard anything over 104 that won't break is something to really worry about. We've always had luck alternating Tylenol and Motrin in the suggested time intervals to keep a fever under control. Of course every kid is different. We have 2 little ones, 3 and 5 that always seem to find some way to catch a snotty nose.

My daughter had a febrile seizure - temp spike to 107, turned blue, distal afterwards, etc. While in the ER we were told anything over 104 they need to go to the ER.

Ok, guys. Thanks. I just wish there was something else I could do. It has come down with Tylenol since I started the first post and was 101.7 the last time we took it-about 20 minutes ago...

I just HATE to see her so lethargic and pitiful.

Oh, and Kenny-I hope everything is ok with your daughter. That is terrible!

[blk95]

at 105 i recieved a ice bath at like 3or 4yrs old. tylenol should keep it down, if it doesn't/or doesn't for long get to the hospital. 103+ is not good.

[71chevellejohn]

I've always 103+... but I don't have any kids(that I know of).

Hope everything gets better quick for your kiddo!

[94form2000z]

We've always had luck alternating Tylenol and Motrin in the suggested time intervals to keep a fever under control.

This normally worked for us.

[Neon131]

Just stick with it if the Tylenol is keeping it down. When she burns it out she'll be back to bouncing off the walls. It is sad to watch them go through it though, feeling helpless sucks. Hope she gets better quickly, keep us posted.

[kenny c]

at 105 i recieved a ice bath at like 3or 4yrs old. tylenol should keep it down, if it doesn't/or doesn't for long get to the hospital. 103+ is not good.

We were told absolutely no ice bath, as it makes the condition worse. Slightly cooler than normal bath, and cover the body with towels while in the bath. IDK, just what we were told.

Ok, guys. Thanks. I just wish there was something else I could do. It has come down with Tylenol since I started the first post and was 101.7 the last time we took it-about 20 minutes ago...

I just HATE to see her so lethargic and pitiful.

Oh, and Kenny-I hope everything is ok with your daughter. That is terrible!

She's been all good since last April.

If your girl is down to 101.7 with T/M intervals then I think you are on the right path. I say keep the T/M going every 4 hours (even throughout the night) until 24 hours after no temp. That methond has been good for us.

[Leah]

We were told absolutely no ice bath, as it makes the condition worse. Slightly cooler than normal bath, and cover the body with towels while in the bath. IDK, just what we were told.

She's been all good since last April.

If your girl is down to 101.7 with T/M intervals then I think you are on the right path. I say keep the T/M going every 4 hours (even throughout the night) until 24 hours after no temp. That methond has been good for us.

I have always heard no ice baths, too-just lukewarm to slightly warm bath water as well. Glad to hear she is doing well.

It is managing to bring it down when we give it to her. I just hate that she has had a fever for 48 hours straight. *Sigh*

[davbrucas]

5% of patients with symptoms of strep pharyngitis and a negative rapid strep test will actually have strep pharyngitis. With that said, Occam's Razor says it's probably viral pharyngitis...especially if she has other symptoms like cough, runny nose, myalgias, etc.
To answer your question, if you are unable to control your childs fever with tylenol/motrin or you are unable to keep them hydrated you should bring them in. If their temp gets above 104 I would want to see them regardless as a child with a high temp and high white blood cell count has ~15% chance of having a serious bacterial infection like bacteremia.
Alternate tylenol (15mg/kg body wt) and motrin (10mg/kg) every 4hrs. Yes, wake her up to give it. She can get very dehydrated running a fever overnite. Good luck.

[Leah]

dfwm doc? maybe her kid has aids? or just mine let me know with out a tag please. thanks

Did I miss something?

5% of patients with symptoms of strep pharyngitis and a negative rapid strep test will actually have strep pharyngitis. With that said, Occam's Razor says it's probably viral pharyngitis...especially if she has other symptoms like cough, runny nose, myalgias, etc.
To answer your question, if you are unable to control your childs fever with tylenol/motrin or you are unable to keep them hydrated you should bring them in. If their temp gets above 104 I would want to see them regardless as a child with a high temp and high white blood cell count has ~15% chance of having a serious bacterial infection like bacteremia.
Alternate tylenol (15mg/kg body wt) and motrin (10mg/kg) every 4hrs. Yes, wake her up to give it. She can get very dehydrated running a fever overnite. Good luck.

Thanks, Dave. I was hoping you would pipe in. Alarms are set...let's hope it breaks tomorrow. I appreciate your help.

leah can mods see who posts tags?

I can't. I imagine the admins can.

[Leah]

the tags shouldnt be annonymous.

Now, I don't necessarily believe that, but saying shit about someone's kid shouldn't be happening. Some people have no class.

[jdgregory84]

Highest temperatue I've ever had was 103.8 and can vividly remember it even though I was like 8 years old. I could barely walk straight and would have some fucked up dreams.