Fever, when to call doctor

KatieKate81

I have a 4 month old who has had a temp ranging from 100-102.1 (rectal) since yesterday. She has a cough and congestion, but is eating find and the fever does come down with Tylenol. My question is, I know 100.4 is the red flag for under 3 months, but at what point should I take her to the urgent care instead of waiting for the doctor to open tomorrow.

im cautious because at 6 weeks I took her to pediatric ER because of 100.5, and we ended up having two spinal taps and 3 days of a hospital stay because the hospital messed up the culture, and I so don't want to put her through that again. 

TeachR24

I have a 3 year old and a 4.5 month old.  My 3 year old was ALWAYS sick as a baby.  She would spike fevers as high as 104.  The ER always told us to just watch diaper output and make sure she was drinking.  A high fever can actually be

KatieKate81

Thank you so much. She is wetting diapers (in fact peed through her nighttime one for the first time), and while she is sleeping more, when she is awake she is pretty happy and interactive!

FrickandFrack

I agree with pp, but I was also told by the pedi that you are supposed to deduct a degree if taken rectally.

g8trkim

Our pedi told us that if the fever is high and medicine is not lowering it to go to the doctor/hospital. 102 isn't that high for a baby so I think you're fine especially since she is still eating and having diaper output. Friends had told me that their do

wesleycrusher

g8trkim:

Our pedi told us that if the fever is high and medicine is not lowering it to go to the doctor/hospital.

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albjag

I'd call my pediatrician.  Does yours have an after hours answering service?  they can tell you what to do, when to bring your little one in.

Court7803

Mine said older than 3 months anything over 104 is okay, just as long as it doesn't last more than 3 days and he is still making wet diapers.

Diver10

the reason your LO had to do the spinal taps and hospital stay was because of his/her age at the time. NB-8 weeks, the common practice is to do blood work, urine work and spinal tap on all those babies with a temp >100.4F, not waking to feed, irritable

Tennis Chick

kfrix13:

I agree with pp, but I was also told by the pedi that you are supposed to deduct a degree if taken rectally.

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