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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Viral Fever In A Child?
Question: Hi Doctors,
My son, who is 21 months old(Weight - 10.8Kg), is suffering from Viral fever for the last 3 days. He was admitted in the hospital exactly a month back due to viral fever, which he recovered in a weeks time.
When consulted with our pediatrician, on the first day of the fever, it was confirmed to be viral fever again. He had been suffering from severe cold(running nose) and temperature of up to 102 F.
Doc prescribed, Ibugesic(5ml - Every hrs if temp is >102), Ambrolite-S(3ml - 3 times a day) & Maxtra (3 times a day)
Post meeting the doc, temperature shot up to 104 F, however keeps fluctuating.
When medicine is taken and we put him to sleep, he sweats a lot and the temperature goes down during the day.
However by evening the temperature goes up and during the middle of night (12 AM to 2 AM) the temperature shoots to 104F.
As suggested by doc, we have been giving sponge bath with lukewarm water to control the temperature, which is actually been working.
However, the fever still continuous to come back.
Please confirm if the medication my son currently is in, is fine and he just needs some time, or do you suggest any other medicines. Also, let me know if giving sponge bath with lukewarm water frequently(3-4 times a day) could lead to any adverse impact.
Regards,
XXXX
My son, who is 21 months old(Weight - 10.8Kg), is suffering from Viral fever for the last 3 days. He was admitted in the hospital exactly a month back due to viral fever, which he recovered in a weeks time.
When consulted with our pediatrician, on the first day of the fever, it was confirmed to be viral fever again. He had been suffering from severe cold(running nose) and temperature of up to 102 F.
Doc prescribed, Ibugesic(5ml - Every hrs if temp is >102), Ambrolite-S(3ml - 3 times a day) & Maxtra (3 times a day)
Post meeting the doc, temperature shot up to 104 F, however keeps fluctuating.
When medicine is taken and we put him to sleep, he sweats a lot and the temperature goes down during the day.
However by evening the temperature goes up and during the middle of night (12 AM to 2 AM) the temperature shoots to 104F.
As suggested by doc, we have been giving sponge bath with lukewarm water to control the temperature, which is actually been working.
However, the fever still continuous to come back.
Please confirm if the medication my son currently is in, is fine and he just needs some time, or do you suggest any other medicines. Also, let me know if giving sponge bath with lukewarm water frequently(3-4 times a day) could lead to any adverse impact.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Probably viral but rule out typhoid
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. Your doctor seems to be treating him in the right lines and you need not worry about it. However, one thing that I need to add is the requirement of an investigation to rule out typhoid.
Most of the common cold and such infections are caused due to viruses. Often such infections have an allergic component alongwith which is exhibited by runny nose and sneezing. In case of a bacterial infection, the count white blood cells (WBC) in our body, neutrophils in particular, becomes high as they act as the police of our body to combat infection. If the child was tested, you may want to check the WBC count - if the WBC count is not high or if the relative amount of lymphocytes is high, we generally conclude it an a viral infection although there is no definite test for a viral infection. Antibiotics are ineffective and your doctor has given the right medicines. In case of a viral infection there is high rise of temperature and generally it lasts for 5-7 days and resolves on its own. You just need to keep the temperature in control using medicines or sponge bathing. Sponging is good and not harmful, so do not worry about it.
However, since you mention that the fever is continuous, the possibility of typhoid also needs to be considered. A typhidot IgM test will let you know if the child is suffering from typhoid. I would order this test to rule out typhoid. If it comes positive, it needs to be treated. Else, rest assured that your doctor is handling the case well. Discuss about this test with your local doctor.
Hope that helps. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries if any.
Probably viral but rule out typhoid
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting on HealthCareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. Your doctor seems to be treating him in the right lines and you need not worry about it. However, one thing that I need to add is the requirement of an investigation to rule out typhoid.
Most of the common cold and such infections are caused due to viruses. Often such infections have an allergic component alongwith which is exhibited by runny nose and sneezing. In case of a bacterial infection, the count white blood cells (WBC) in our body, neutrophils in particular, becomes high as they act as the police of our body to combat infection. If the child was tested, you may want to check the WBC count - if the WBC count is not high or if the relative amount of lymphocytes is high, we generally conclude it an a viral infection although there is no definite test for a viral infection. Antibiotics are ineffective and your doctor has given the right medicines. In case of a viral infection there is high rise of temperature and generally it lasts for 5-7 days and resolves on its own. You just need to keep the temperature in control using medicines or sponge bathing. Sponging is good and not harmful, so do not worry about it.
However, since you mention that the fever is continuous, the possibility of typhoid also needs to be considered. A typhidot IgM test will let you know if the child is suffering from typhoid. I would order this test to rule out typhoid. If it comes positive, it needs to be treated. Else, rest assured that your doctor is handling the case well. Discuss about this test with your local doctor.
Hope that helps. Feel free to revert back in case of further queries if any.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi Dr XXXXXXX
Appreciate the quick and detailed response to my question.
As mentioned in the initial enquiry, when my son was admitted in the hospital last month, the test for Typhoid, Dengue and Malaria was performed(between 13-15 Aug 014) and all the tests resulted negative.
Do you still recommend another round of tests?
Also, considering my son is been falling sick often(cold/fever) is there anything we could do to build his immunity. Are there any medicines which would help do this or anything specific in the diet which could help in developing his immunity.
Diet - Currently he is on a normal diet as detailed below:
Break fast - 1st Bytes (Ragi/Wheat mixed veg/fruits)
Lunch- Dal, Rice and Veg/Fruits boiled and mixed
Evening - Jr Horlicks & Parle G biscuits
Dinner - Dal, Rice and Veg/Fruits boiled and mixed
Awaiting your response.
Regards,
XXXX
Appreciate the quick and detailed response to my question.
As mentioned in the initial enquiry, when my son was admitted in the hospital last month, the test for Typhoid, Dengue and Malaria was performed(between 13-15 Aug 014) and all the tests resulted negative.
Do you still recommend another round of tests?
Also, considering my son is been falling sick often(cold/fever) is there anything we could do to build his immunity. Are there any medicines which would help do this or anything specific in the diet which could help in developing his immunity.
Diet - Currently he is on a normal diet as detailed below:
Break fast - 1st Bytes (Ragi/Wheat mixed veg/fruits)
Lunch- Dal, Rice and Veg/Fruits boiled and mixed
Evening - Jr Horlicks & Parle G biscuits
Dinner - Dal, Rice and Veg/Fruits boiled and mixed
Awaiting your response.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Two different episodes should not be mixed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Once again I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. The tests that you mention, were for an infection a month back, something that has subsided and is over. This is probably a new independent episode altogether. So the tests if done at all, are to be repeated. But since it can be safely assumed to be a viral infection, I do not suggest a battery of tests. I would not suggest going for a dengue test unless the child develops bleeding or petechial manifestations. The typhoid test is just to be safe, since you mention that the fever is continuous. I cannot clinically examine the child and hence you would have to discuss with your pediatrician about its requirement. Generally a typhidot IgM test comes positive in 4-5 days of fever and a Widal test takes 7-10 days to be positive. So, just ask your doctor.
About the food, instead of food supplements like Junior Horlicks or anything of that sort, I would always suggest normal food supplemente with plenty of fruits and vegetables. If possible, give small but frequent meals instead of big meals. Many children have a tendency to fall ill in the childhood days. Other than eating well and playing well, I would not suggest anything further. You may give honey or neem as they are good but they are non specific.
Hope that helps. If you have been benefited by my answers, please care to leave a 5 star rating and a positive review.
Two different episodes should not be mixed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Once again I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. The tests that you mention, were for an infection a month back, something that has subsided and is over. This is probably a new independent episode altogether. So the tests if done at all, are to be repeated. But since it can be safely assumed to be a viral infection, I do not suggest a battery of tests. I would not suggest going for a dengue test unless the child develops bleeding or petechial manifestations. The typhoid test is just to be safe, since you mention that the fever is continuous. I cannot clinically examine the child and hence you would have to discuss with your pediatrician about its requirement. Generally a typhidot IgM test comes positive in 4-5 days of fever and a Widal test takes 7-10 days to be positive. So, just ask your doctor.
About the food, instead of food supplements like Junior Horlicks or anything of that sort, I would always suggest normal food supplemente with plenty of fruits and vegetables. If possible, give small but frequent meals instead of big meals. Many children have a tendency to fall ill in the childhood days. Other than eating well and playing well, I would not suggest anything further. You may give honey or neem as they are good but they are non specific.
Hope that helps. If you have been benefited by my answers, please care to leave a 5 star rating and a positive review.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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