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Suggest Treatment For High Fever In A Child

Posted on Mon, 19 Jun 2017

Question: my 12 yr. old son has a high fever, 102. He has not been able to keep anything down, not water or the tylenol or motrin. He has vomited several times but hasn't eaten anything in 16 hours, therefore, bile is coming up. He did fall asleep but his breathing is labored. He also has Down syndrome

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ORS is the mainstay of treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query. Your child has an episode of gastritis, possibly due to viral cause. This could lead to fluid and salt depletion and therefore needs to be treated with ORS (oral rehydration solution) as well as juicy fruits like citrus fruits and bananas. They should replenish the gap and should ease his problems and you would need to worry no further. You also need to give some antiemetic like ondansetron when needed. Give Tylenol (acetaminophen) to bring down the temperature when needed. Also give tepid sponging.

You may give Lanzol Junior for the next few days. Please be patient as it may last for a couple of days. But if the child grows lethargic you would have to rush him to the hospital. Monitor the urine output. If it is reduced you would need to increase the fluid intake and if that does not suffice you might need to visit the hospital.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 hours later)

Thank you! Should I be concerned that his fever hasn't decreased at all? He had Tylenol at 9am and has finally kept it down. No change in temp, yet.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Meftal P is more effective than Tylenol

Detailed Answer:
The fever may occur from time to time and should come down for the time being when given Tylenol. Let me know the body weight of the child and the dose that you are giving and I will let you know if it is adequate. If Tylenol is not effective in bringing down the temperature, you need to use mefenamic acid, a prescription medicine which is more effective.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 hours later)

XXXXXXX is 92 pounds and I have given him a dose of 15mL. His last dose was at 2pm and his fever has finally decreased to 99.5 from 102. He has an appetite but will only take about 2 bites and then says he's done. Do you recommend that I keep him home from school tomorrow?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dose mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. The requisite dose for your child is 630 mg of acetaminophen. Tylenol (acetaminophen) comes in doses of 120mg/5ml and 250 mg/5ml. The correct dose for your child is 12.5 ml of 250 mg/5ml (not 120 mg/5ml). Giving 15 ml instead of 12.5 ml will hardly be bothersome.

It is normal for appetite to come down during such episodes of fever. Please be patient. As regards school, it depends whether he feels physically fit to attend the classes. If he feels that he is otherwise ok and can concentrate, there is no problem in attending school. However, it would be preferable to wait for the temperature to subside totally.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D