Help! How can I lower a fever

[kkfeb04]

Kalvin's fever is 103.5, I've been dosing with Tylenol and Advil. It goes down then shoots right back up. I'm pushing fluids but I'm at a loss. I called the Pedi this morning. They told me to just keep doing what I am. I asked when should I worry about the fever they said a few days. When would you go to the ER. We both have the flu, despite the flu shot.

[dixeedeluxe]

103.5 and not going down with meds? I'd go to the ER.

[rubber pants]

Do you mean it shoots back up after the meds wear off or the meds arent working?

If the meds arent working, then I'd go to the ER but if the meds are working, the fever goes down for X amount of hours and then it shoots back up, then i'd just dose again and after a few doses, I'd call the pedi again.

[katie]

I hope you guys feel better. Lillian had a fever last week for 3 days that was going up to 103.4 for 2 days. For a full 24 hours I would dose with advil and then 2 hours later with tylenol because it would go back up (she was also waking up in the MOTN on fire). It would only go down to 101. The second day she could get by without tylenol for 6 hours and just use advil. Finally on the 3rd day it broke, she had a sinus infection. I was also putting cold washcloths on her head and neck.

How quickly is it going back up?

[katie]

If it's the flu I would probably call again and voice my concerns again and remind them it's the FLU.

[kkfeb04]

He also has an ear infection on top of the flu. It goes down about an hour after meds (at least when I check) then shoots up after 3 hours. My fever would shoot up after 4-6 hours. He won't let me keep cold wash cloths on him. DH said he'll call the Pedi again. He's also picking up 2 and up advil and tylenol. He thinks our advil is infant. He at least is drinking his water.

[ruby412]

I think you need to gauge your own comfort level on this one. The pedi gave his medical opinion but use your mama instincts. If you feel something is really wrong, act on it. However you don't necessarily want to expose the ER patients if you think he's ok. That's my thought process, anyways.

[Deleted]

You could try giving a cool/coldish bath, or wiping down with a cloth, but if that doesn't work I agree go to the emergency.

[shmoo]

Can you try a tepid bath?

[rxbeth]

Jan 10, 2013 17:04:36 GMT -5 @johlise said:

You could try giving a cool/coldish bath, or wiping down with a cloth, but if that doesn't work I agree go to the emergency.

Never, never, never a cold or cool bath. This can actually make their temp spike up higher because it cools them down and then the body thinks they need to turn up the heat. Just a lukewarm bath if you want to go that route.

[katie]

Jan 10, 2013 18:58:48 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Jan 10, 2013 17:04:36 GMT -5 @johlise said:

You could try giving a cool/coldish bath, or wiping down with a cloth, but if that doesn't work I agree go to the emergency.

Never, never, never a cold or cool bath. This can actually make their temp spike up higher because it cools them down and then the body thinks they need to turn up the heat. Just a lukewarm bath if you want to go that route.

Are cold washcloths ok to put on their head? I'm talking running it under the sink water, not icy.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2013 22:52:30 GMT -5 katie said:

Jan 10, 2013 18:58:48 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Never, never, never a cold or cool bath. This can actually make their temp spike up higher because it cools them down and then the body thinks they need to turn up the heat. Just a lukewarm bath if you want to go that route.

Are cold washcloths ok to put on their head? I'm talking running it under the sink water, not icy.

I've been told cool wash cloths are okay. And I have also heard about only doing lukewarm baths. However, when I was about 4 my fever was 106 and my moms pedi told her to through me in a cold bath to bring it down so I didn't have a febrile seizure which I used to get. So maybe there are exceptions? Or maybe because this was over 20 years ago?

[TrudyCampbell]

Jan 10, 2013 23:27:42 GMT -5 jnoellee said:

Jan 10, 2013 22:52:30 GMT -5 katie said:

Are cold washcloths ok to put on their head? I'm talking running it under the sink water, not icy.

I've been told cool wash cloths are okay. And I have also heard about only doing lukewarm baths. However, when I was about 4 my fever was 106 and my moms pedi told her to through me in a cold bath to bring it down so I didn't have a febrile seizure which I used to get. So maybe there are exceptions? Or maybe because this was over 20 years ago?

Yea I was going to say this too. I had pneumonia and a very high fever and the dr told my mom to give me a cold bath. I remember it because it was awful! So maybe they used to recommend it or maybe my doctor was a quack.

[Regina Philange]

Did the fever go down??

[rxbeth]

They used to recommend the cold baths but not anymore. Because it can trick the body into thinking it is cooler than it is, the temp can spike back up very quickly and THAT can cause a febrile seizure. From my understanding, it isn't the degree of the fever, but how rapid the rise is for what causes febrile seizures.

[Deleted]

RXbeth, Wow I guess things change all the time. Thanks for posting that.. I was just going off of based what my Mom did with my younger siblings.. I guess things change!