What temperature to call the doctor?

Mominator · September 2011

When I put Nate to bed tonight at 8:30 I had given him some Tylenol and his temperature was just under 103. I just went to check him before going to bed (12:30) and his temperature was just shy of 105. He's not eating, barely drinking and other than throwing up once on Monday night and then diarhea on Tuesday, he's not really having symptoms. My gut is that this is just a Viral infection and I generally don't treat fevers, but this is getting a little high for my comfort. Would you call the doctor at this point? Obviously the Tylenol isn't working.

J&A2008 · September 2011

Over 103 and we hit the ER.

ETA: First we give Motrin, and if it stays above 103, then we go to the ER.

Mrs Manners · September 2011

The ER will do nothing for a fever that you can't do at home. High fevers like that are almost always viral. Ds routinely gets fevers in the 104-105 range. Since he's never gotten up to 106, I would probably call the on-call at that temp even though there's little they can do. Also, Tylenol does nothing for ds...motrin will generally get it down to 101-102 range but then it spikes back when time for the next dose. We do alternate Tylenol/motrin every 3 hours when he's really high like that. We also strip his clothes to keep from trapping heat and have tried lukewarm baths (although they are not well received by him). Sorry he feels bad

Hooray2005 · September 2011

I would try Motrin if you have it, and call your pediatrician - could be bacterial at 105 (hope he's feeling better soon!!)

This site from Seattle Children's Hospital is super-helpful re: when to seek medical treatment (and at what level):

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/medical-conditions/symptom-index/fever

In case the link doesn't work, here's the essential part of the page:

***************

Call your doctor now (night or day) if

Your child looks or acts very sick
Not alert when awake
Any difficulty breathing
Great difficulty swallowing fluids or saliva
Child is confused (delirious) or has stiff neck or bulging soft spot
Had a seizure with the fever
Age under 12 weeks with fever above 100.4? F (38.0? C) rectally (Caution: Do not give your baby any fever medicine before being seen)
Fever AND >105 F (40.6 C) by any route or axillary >104 F (40 C). (EXCEPTION: age >1 year, fever down and child comfortable. If recurs, see now.)
Very irritable (e.g., inconsolable crying or cries when touched or moved)
Won't move an arm or leg normally
Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, no urine in more than 8 hours, etc.)
Burning or pain with urination
Chronic disease (e.g., sickle cell disease) or medication (e.g., chemotherapy) that causes decreased immunity

Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) if

You think your child needs to be seen
Age 3-6 months with fever
Age 6-24 months with fever present over 24 hours but no other symptoms (e.g., no cold, cough, diarrhea, etc.)
Fever repeatedly above 104? F (40? C) despite fever medicine
Fever present for more than 3 days

Call your doctor during weekday office hours if

You have other questions or concerns

Parent care at home if

Fever with no other symptoms AND you don't think your child needs to be seen

tammy79 · September 2011

Is he acting normal?. You said he was barely drinking,do you think he might be dehydrated?. cause that would be the big reason to take him to the ER, but if he's acting normal when the fever is down, then I would wait and call the Pedi in the morning.

Zenya · September 2011

I agree it's not the temp per se but how he's acting and if that temp is rising in spite of meds.

I hope he's doing better today!

J&A2008 · September 2011

Also, I would ask your pedi about what his/her rules are for when to get treatment. I'm surprised so many people don't seek help. Our pedi has said if his fever is over 103 with Motrin to go in.

crazynervous · September 2011

Strep? I would take him to the doctor today

hikerbeth · September 2011

My rules are 105 OR if the Tylenol is not bringing it down. . . I would go.

Yodajo · September 2011

If meds are keeping the fever down, I personally would not take him in. DS2 had a fever that high a few weeks ago and we just gave him Tylenol/Motrin and kept a close eye on him. Luckily it was a short lived virus.

Mominator · September 2011

Thanks all! His fever is down to 102 this morning and he's acting okay. He still won't eat or drink, so I'm gonna keep an eye on that to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated. Luckily my pedi has office hours until 8pm, so if he doesn't start improving by this afternoon I will probably take him in just as a precaution.

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What temperature to call the doctor?

Re: What temperature to call the doctor?

Call your doctor now (night or day) if

Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) if

Call your doctor during weekday office hours if

Parent care at home if

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