What do you consider a low grade fever?

[zakatak]

My dd(3) Abby has been (what I consider, as her Mother) sick for about 6 weeks +. Here are her "symptoms": circles under her eyes, palish (to me), low grade fever on and off, ranging from 99.8 - 99.4. I took her to the Peds on April 13th for Pink Eye and mentioned to them at that time about her circles and overall "look". They pooh-poohed me but did write in her chart "racoon eyes". I finally had enough last week (after three different people told me she didn't look right) and took her in again. They did a CBC (not upsetting to her, whew!) and another blood test. The only thing that came out low was her hemoglobin at 11.5. And she has an enlarged lymph node on the back of her neck (not the usual one in the front). But it is movable and not inflamed. Her diet is "picky", lol, so I have increased her iron in her vitamin and may start a B12 for her.

So... today her temp is 99.4 again. I took mine right after and it is 98.2 so the thermometer seems to be right. Oh, BTW, hers was 99.2 (by the ear) at the peds which seemed high since that stupid ear thermometer at the peds always reads low, lol. I was actually surprised it read over 98.0!

So... any ideas? Am I freaking out over nothing? I know that allergies can cause "shiners", but can they cause low grade fevers? The peds are dismissing the "fever" as it is not over 100.4 (that is their fever line). Should my next step be an Allergist (dairy and wheat allergies run in the extended family).

She is bouncy as usual, not any more tired and has no other symptoms. I feel like this ---> over her lately!

Thanks for any input. Please feel free to call me crazy, overly paranoid, etc... it would help me relax, I think.

Karen & Abby

 

[piglet too]

If there is one thing I have learned to fight my doctors on, it is "mother's intuition." If you feel that there is something more than push the issue. I know that my husband can run low fevers with his allergies, but 6 weeks seems too long. Does her temp ever go down to "normal?" If not maybe this is her ner "normal" temp. Either way, if you have an inkling that something is wrong pursue it!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sinus infections and allergies have those same symptoms. Have you tried claritin or zyrtec and/or antibiotics for an infection?
If you really think she has an infection you can get a CT scan and that will determine it.

Good Luck because walking around like makes you feel icky, I know.

 

[WilmaBud]

I wouldn't consider anything in the 99's to be a fever. I fluctuate like that every day.

It sounds to me as if she might have allergies. Not only do allergies give you circles under your eyes, but they also make you really tired. I would think it's more likely to be seasonal allergies since it's begun in the last 6 weeks. By the way, I also get swollen glands from my allergies, too, when they're really acting up.

If her blood work came back good, that would definitely put my mind at ease.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by zakatak
My dd(3) Abby has been (what I consider, as her Mother) sick for about 6 weeks +. Here are her "symptoms": circles under her eyes, palish (to me), low grade fever on and off, ranging from 99.8 - 99.4. .............................................
So... any ideas? Am I freaking out over nothing? I know that allergies can cause "shiners", but can they cause low grade fevers? .................................
She is bouncy as usual, not any more tired and has no other symptoms.

When you took her to the pediatrician did they say anything about allergies? I'm not sure if they can cause fevers but with one that low I'd say it's possible. If it were me, I'd probably try an over the counter antihistamine(Claritin Reditabs are fabulous) for about a week or so(they come in a 10 day supply) and see if that make any difference.

The fact that she is still "bouncy as usual and not tired" leads me to believe it's likely allergies and not an infection.

Best of luck!

 

[princess lovers mom]

I agree with wilmabud...low grade fever is 100.5...the CBC would have determined anything worrisome...sounds like allergies

 

[Rajah]

What does she *normally* run. To most people, that's not even a low grade fever. But I have been *horribly* sick and not run more than 99.2 before (as in gone into the doctor and had her wonder why I wasn't feeling a horrible sore throat and stuff because I had a pretty bad strep infection). But I almost always run low -- 97.9 - 98.2 is my norm. So what does she *normally* run?

 

[Kermit]

I agree that it doesn't really sound like a fever, unless you've taken her temp when she's well and know that it's usually lower. I guess you could give her Tylenol and see if it comes down at all. That would help you determine if she had a low grade fever or not.

As for the iron, be very careful of how you give iron. Many times people don't need to consume more, they just need to consume it better. It should be taken or eaten with foods that contain Vitamin C and not with foods that contain dairy. Otherwise, you'll just up her iron intake so much that she'll get constipated but her iron levels will stay low.

I would definitely trust your mommy instincts. You know your DD best. I think an allergist would be a wise person to consult. Most of us probably do have allergies we don't know about and we don't even know how great we could feel if knew more about them.

 

[pkasbohm]

i would have to agree on alergies also especially if they run in the family! My dd gets sinus infection all the time. She usually runs 100 degrees or higher and is terribly grouchy! I also would recommend an over the counter med. and see if that clears her up and if she is not better then i would go back to the ped.

Pam

 

[Christine]

When my children get close to 100 degrees, I would call that a low-grade fever. Sometimes 99.5. But my son has had 99.5 before and has been totally well, and 99.5 and felt awful.

I definitely think that your DD's problem is allergy and sinus related. Fevers associated with allergies are not really ever reported in the literature, but allergies can cause a slight fever. Allergies cause imflammation in the body and sometimes the fever will rise in response to that. If I were you, I would probably make an appointment with an allergist since there is a family history and her eyes look so bad. That is just classic for having allergies and feeling poorly. She shouldn't have to suffer. The allergist can determine if this is, in fact, an allergy and give you ways/medications to deal with this. Chronic allergies are notorious for causing sinus infections and an allergist will be able to handle this well.

 

[zakatak]

Thanks, everyone, for putting my mind at ease. I will make an appointment at the Allergist for her today.


Karen