I need everyone to calm me down because I know I'm over reacting!

[tikilyn]

Tonight around 8pm my dd 8 said she had a headache and was cold. Other than that she was feeling fine. I took her temp and it was 101.4. I gave her some Motrin and within 10 minutes the fever spiked to 102.7. So I made her go and jump into the bath tub and made her soak until her fever came down to 100.4. Right now her fever is reading anywhere between 99.5 to 100.6.

So what did I do? I went online to see what was the highest temp she could have before we would need to take her to the ER! That was such a bad idea! Even dh told me to put down the laptop. He got on the phone to our insurance nurse hotline to ask a few questions. Nurse said to basically watch her and give her motrin every 6 hrs. If she got worse to take her in. We'll duhhhh. The internet gives us so much information that its just scary.

The first thing I read about her syptoms it said possible Meningitis. Holy cow I freaked out but in my head I know, well hope she doesn't have that. She probably has the flu because her best friend tested positive for flu A at the end of May.

Anyways here I am my anexity is flaring up really bad and now I'm sick to my stomach and wont be sleeping tonight. Can anyone give me some good words of wisdom to help me relax a bit?

 

[mommasita]

I think we all tend to get nervous when our children get sick. It is completely natural. However, it could be anything, an ear infection, strep throat, etc?

The Motrin will do the trick for tonight, try and check in a few hours, and I would bring her in to the DR tomorrow to rule out infection, and the possible need for antibiotics.

Try to relax, even if it is the flu. Not much can be done tonight. Hugs to you

 

[starann]

You can give Motrin every 6 hours and Tylenol every 4....together! It will help keep her fever down.


I hope she starts to feel better!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

3 out of my 5 have had fevers over 104 without any serious illness. Fevers are not necessarily a bad thing. They show that your body is fighting an infection of some kind. The only time I have taken one to the ER with a fever was because I couldn't control it with medicine, her neck hurt, and she started crying that her eyes. Thankfully, it ended up being a virus!

You're doing the right thing for your daugher! Taking care of the fever and talking to the nurse. Try not to panic. Your mommy instincts know best!

I hope she feels better soon!

 

[MoniqueU]

I don't know if I am blessed or cursed but I have never been able to read a regular thermometer and for some reason anytime I need the digital it has never been found. I have never known my kids temps, they are all still alive and healthy ages 11 to 16. The doctors do get a little confused if I call in and don't know their temps but oh well let them think what they want. I judge my kids fevers by how hot their feet are and always have, no issues. I think there is was TMI out there and that most things are a heck of a lot more minor then our minds want us to believe.

 

[ontariomonkey]

It is most likely a virus that will resolve with hydration and rest. If you are worried about meningitis, ask her if she can put her chin to her chest without pain or stiffness. Also, some forms of meningitis have a rash that if you press on it with a glass (cause it's see-through) it does not turn white (blanch). So just a couple of little tests that you can do to make yourself feel better.

 

[tikilyn]

Thanks everyone! In my mind I know theres no need to panic but my emotions are running amuck! I just checked her fever and it's 98.8 as of now and she's complaining that she's hot and sweaty. Good sign! My kids are normally healthy and never had a fever over 100.5. So yeah I freaked out at 102.7, just a bit.

If she's still running fever in the morning I'm going to take her to the doctor. Just to make me feel better if anything.

 

[HunnyPots]

A fever of 102 or 103 isn't necessarily something to worry about in a child. It would be much more serious in an adult.

When my son was little, he would run fevers as high as 105. Only then (with doc's advice) did I take any steps (other than Tylenol or Advil) to bring it down quickly, like putting him in a cool shower. He's 18 now and has no permanent damage from those fevers.

 

[tikilyn]

A fever of 102 or 103 isn't necessarily something to worry about in a child. It would be much more serious in an adult.

When my son was little, he would run fevers as high as 105. Only then (with doc's advice) did I take any steps (other than Tylenol or Advil) to bring it down quickly, like putting him in a cool shower. He's 18 now and has no permanent damage from those fevers.

Thank you so much for your stories. They do make me feel so much better. I think I need to go and talk to the doctor about my anexity problems. They are getting out of hand, here lately. I think she just fell asleep, should I wake her to take some tylenol around midnight if she still has a fever? I don't know if I should wake her or let her sleep it off.

 

[mommasita]

I would not wake her. If she wakes up that is different. If she can sleep then I would let her.

 

[Sleepy]

It is not so much the temperature that is dangerous, but how quickly it rises. I learned that the hard way. When my son was 2, he had a febrile seizure. It was the middle of the night. Thank goodness I was a night owl and we had a tiny house. By the time I heard him making this strange noise, his fever was 105.5. His body was as limp as a noodle and I thought he was chocking. Rushed to the ER and they thought he had menengitis. They did a spinal tap and it came back clear. I was terrified because he stayed limp for many hours. I thought he was going to die. He just had a virus that made his body spike a temp. After that, it was rounds of motrin and tylenol when he had a fever.

 

[HunnyPots]

Thank you so much for your stories. They do make me feel so much better. I think I need to go and talk to the doctor about my anexity problems. They are getting out of hand, here lately. I think she just fell asleep, should I wake her to take some tylenol around midnight if she still has a fever? I don't know if I should wake her or let her sleep it off.

You said she was down to 98.8 so she currently has no fever. I'd let her sleep. Check on her if it makes you feel better but if she's anything like my kids you won't have to wake if the fever spikes - she'll be waking you up!

 

[MoniqueU]

Uh let her sleep it off and you get some sleep too, seriously I don't think of this as even a blip on the radar screen of stress. Of course my kids are older and we have had our share of ambulance rides, emergency hour long sureries and permanent damage to different things. I fever such as you describe is really not that big of a deal. Relax and perhaps seek some counseling at a better time.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

I second what starann said about alternating tylenol and motrin (or advil) my DS got spiking fevers when he was younger, had a seizure once...since then anytime he had a fever I panicked. His pedi told me to alternate tylenol and motin to keep the fever down, and that always worked.

that said...if you feel she needs to be seen, take her in. It will put your mind at ease and in turn, she'll relax too. The medical info on the internet is just enough to make you insane. {{{hugs}}} to you both.

 

[sunnyday123]

You can give Motrin every 6 hours and Tylenol every 4....together! It will help keep her fever down.


I hope she starts to feel better!

this is what I do....and don't worry, I totally overreact when DD gets a fever. Ever since I saw that stupid movie with Nicolas Cage-he's an angel that falls in love with Meg Ryan-my overreactiveness ( yes I beleive that's not a word!) went into overdrive! It's got to the point that if DD has a headache she will say "Yes I can touch my chin to my chest!"

I wouldn't wake her up unless she feels extremely hot, but I make DD sleep with me when she's sick so I can check on her throughout the night.

 

[luvdzne]

Like the PP said, it is not how high the temp gets so much as how fast it is rising and does it come down when treated. It's nothing for both my DD's to get a 105 temp. When I give Motrin it comes down, sometimes still 101-102 but it does come down. If it does not then it is time to call the Dr.

I hope your dd is feeling better soon!

 

[mjkacmom]

102 is not a spiked fever - it's moderate. 106 - then you need the tub. It sounds like your run-of-the-mill virus. I don't know if your dd has been very lucky not to get sick in the past, but we've had the headache/fever virus many, many, many time (and the throw up once virus, the fever/sore throat virus, the just fever virus, the cough sneeze no fever virus, the popular rotavirus, fifths disease, roseaola, coxsackie, strep, bronchitis...). I really wouldn't worry, and if the fever goes down, and she's not uncomfortable, stop medicating, since fever is the body's defense.

 

[jme829]

I don't know if I am blessed or cursed but I have never been able to read a regular thermometer and for some reason anytime I need the digital it has never been found. I have never known my kids temps, they are all still alive and healthy ages 11 to 16. The doctors do get a little confused if I call in and don't know their temps but oh well let them think what they want. I judge my kids fevers by how hot their feet are and always have, no issues. I think there is was TMI out there and that most things are a heck of a lot more minor then our minds want us to believe.

Slightly OT, but I had to chuckle a little when I read your post as I am pretty much the same way. We don't even own a thermometer. When my kids complain they dont' feel well I check their back and chest and I can tell if they are feverish if it is hot. I also don't tend to call the Dr. unless I feel their is really something going on (I think in 16 yrs and 3 kids, I have only called dr. or gone to ER for illness maybe 10 times if that). My son had strep going around his class and he had come home feeling bad and sore throat, so for that I did take him in ...The doc asked if he had a fever and what his temp was, I said yes he had a fever but I honestly didn't know how high and he just kind of laughed because he knew what I meant.


OP, don't worry too much unless the temp doesn't go down or she gets worse. I would leave her sleep too. One thing when my kids do get sick (which is rare) they almost always sleep it off and are usually feeling better the next day or two.!

 

[lemondog]

I have not read the other replies, however here is my 2 cents.

First, fever gives children headaches. I am sure that's why her head was hurting.

Secondly, you don't need to worry about a temp in a child until it reaches 106. I would not worry about an ER visit unless she hit 105.

That is how I would handle it. I hope she is feeling better today.

 

[tikilyn]

Hey everyone! Well we survived the night! See I knew I was over reacting and just need you all to calm me down. She's feeling pretty good today. Still has a low grade fever 99.0-100.5 but she's up and playing so thats a good sign. I did call the doctor this morning and he said to bring her in if she's still running a fever tomorrow but that it's probably just growing pains and laughed.