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What Causes Unexplained Fever In A Child?
Question: My 3 year old had an unexplained fever last week with no other cold/viral symptoms. We live in a Lyme Disease epidemic area so at the ER they ran Lyme bloodtests (Elisa and Western Blot Ige/Igg) which came back positive. However, the IGG was positive, consistent with a past Lyme infection. The IGM was negative indicating she does not have a current, active Lyme infection. They started her on abx and fever cleared up two days later followed by a typical Roseola rash indicating it was prob just a virus. (she will still complete 21 day abx just in case). My question is, since we had no idea she had had a previous Lyme infection, and was therefore never treated, how dangerous is this at this point? She may have gotten Lyme 2 years ago and was never treated, and that's terrifying. Thanks
Brief Answer:
It might have been a Lyme disease - But dont worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi... I understand your concern.
Right now your kid is having a viral illness and she is no the recovery path. Do not worry.
Coming to your queries -
1. Even if she had a past Lyme disease, you need not worry now and the most common manifestation of Lyme disease which keep going on for a long time and becomes recurrent is arthritis and most commonly knee joint arthritis, which your kid is not having as this is not her presenting complaint.
2. There is a widespread misconception that Lyme disease is difficult to cure and that chronic symptoms and clinical recurrences are common.The prognosis for children treated for Lyme disease is excellent. The long-term prognosis for patients who are treated beginning in the late phase of Lyme disease also is excellent. Most children who are treated for Lyme arthritis are cured and have no sequelae.
3. Overall prognosis of children with Lyme disease is excellent and so I urge you to be not anxious. Your kids is safe.
4. IgG can be elevated for a long time and so I urge you not to keep repeating it as it will only add on to the anxiety.
5. There is a high chance of false positivity of IgG in people with endemic areas. So unless there is greater evidence in terms of manifestations and skin rash not to be take seriously.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
It might have been a Lyme disease - But dont worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi... I understand your concern.
Right now your kid is having a viral illness and she is no the recovery path. Do not worry.
Coming to your queries -
1. Even if she had a past Lyme disease, you need not worry now and the most common manifestation of Lyme disease which keep going on for a long time and becomes recurrent is arthritis and most commonly knee joint arthritis, which your kid is not having as this is not her presenting complaint.
2. There is a widespread misconception that Lyme disease is difficult to cure and that chronic symptoms and clinical recurrences are common.The prognosis for children treated for Lyme disease is excellent. The long-term prognosis for patients who are treated beginning in the late phase of Lyme disease also is excellent. Most children who are treated for Lyme arthritis are cured and have no sequelae.
3. Overall prognosis of children with Lyme disease is excellent and so I urge you to be not anxious. Your kids is safe.
4. IgG can be elevated for a long time and so I urge you not to keep repeating it as it will only add on to the anxiety.
5. There is a high chance of false positivity of IgG in people with endemic areas. So unless there is greater evidence in terms of manifestations and skin rash not to be take seriously.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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