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Child Having High Fever, Cough And Runny Nose. What Treatment And Cure Should Be Done?

Posted on Fri, 16 Nov 2012

Question: Toddler with high feversMy 3 year old son has always had high fevers when he is sick (102-105). The last 3 days he has been having these high fevers again. I can get them down under 102 with motrin, cold wipe baths, undressing him to his underwear, popsicles, etc...He has been having high fevers the last 3 days, slight cough, slight runny nose, but that is about all. He plays and eats about normal, drinks about normal to but hasn't been peeing a whole lot, 4 or 5 times today. He has his tired spells when he just wants to sit an relax instead of running while he is sick, but that's normal for a sick kid. Anyways i've been alternating tylenol and motrin and still cant keep his fever away. All day today he has been between 99 and 103.7. Will this pass, or should i be concerned with his fevers lasting this long and being his worst symptom? Last time i took him to childrens hospital for a high fever 104.7 they just said it was a virus and couldnt give him anything...i check on him every 2 hours at night, when they seem to spike the most or at naptimes, even when he has just his underwear and a sheet covering him...his high fevers scare me especially when brain damage starts occurring over 104...he has never had a seizure but on a couple occassions chills/shaking with his fevers...worried mama please help

Answered by Dr. Das Arindam (2 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for the query.

Firstly, it is a misconception that fever more than 104 degree can cause brain damage. Fever level required for brain damage varies with person to person. Your son seems to be doing fine. So, do not worry.

The symptoms you described, denotes a viral fever. So, antibiotic has low role in this treatment. If prescribed it is usually to prevent secondary bacterial contamination.

The mainstay of therapy is supportive drugs, sponging, a good, nutritious balanced diet, adequate hydration. I see you are giving him the right treatment, however I wonder if you are giving him the right dose. Paracetamol syrups like Tylenol is given as 15mg/kg weight/dose and the dose can be repeated every 4-6 hours and ibuprofen syrups like motrin is given as 10mg/kg weight/dose and the dose can be repeated not more than twice a day. With this treatment, viral symptoms usually would subside in 3-5 days.

The danger signs which will warrant medical attention are:
1. The baby is not responding normally to external stimuli.
2. Inactiveness and excessive drowsiness.
3. Low thirst. Do not take much water.
4. Low urine output, even after taking adequate amount of water.
5. Presence of any rash over body surface.
6. Any type of convulsions.

If abovementioned symptoms present or if fever continues to persist for more than a week, you will need to consult with his pediatrician. He will need battery of investigation and preferably hospitalisation for close observation.

Hope this information suffices. Let me know, if you have any more question.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Das Arindam (22 hours later)

Thank you for the quick response.
My son weighs approx 30 lbs. When i had him in last year for his high fevers, they told me I could alternate tylenol an motrin up to every 2-4 hours. With tylenol I was told he could have 1.6 ml, and motrin 1.875 ml. Is this right? too much or too little? too often? What would qualify as low urine output? Some days I'm worried because he will only go 4 times all day after waking up to a wet pull up.

Answered by Dr. Das Arindam (1 hour later)

Hello,

Thanks for following up.

Your son has grown up since last year.

1. As his current weight is 30 lbs, the dose you mentioned is lower than we mentioned.
- Tylenol pediatric preparation which regularly comes as 160mg/5ml preparation can be used. With this formula, you can give him up to 6ml.
- Similarly motrin children preparation which comes as 100mg/5ml preparation can be used. Again up to 6ml will suit his needs.

2. Low urine output means urine volume lower than 500 ml. Without any means to measure the amount passed, grossly I would say less than once in a day may be considered low urine output.

Hope this answers your query. Let me know if you have other queries.
If all your queries are answered, please close this discussion.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad