Help DD#2 is burning up!

[Momo]

Last night DH & I noticed dd#2 age 15 mos had a fever... no biggie...just gave her motrin and it went away....I just took her upstairs to take an ear temp reading, and on side it read 105.3
and the other 103.2

I dosed her w/ motrin...and she is still active walking around attempting to play w/ DS & DD1 . I keep remebering my old pediatrician in MI saying that if they are still playing & active then they aren't that sick, it's the lathargic ones that you worry about. None of the kiddos have ever had fevers this high. Like I said she's still walking around and keeping herself busy! I assume I shouldn't stress & just allow the meds to kick in huh?! please tell me to chill and it will all be OK

[rainbabies]

i would retake her temp...in the rectum. tempanic ear temps can be off. rule of thumb where i worked...if it was over "normal" by three points, rectal.

hope she is feeling better soon....and you too.

[Momo]

This will sound really lame coming from a mom of 3; how far do you insert the thermometer?...I have never taken a rectal...I used to have a pacifier thermometer, and then we ordered an ear thermometer like the on the Ped offic used.

[rainbabies]

i usually did about 3/4-1 inch...with a bit of vasaline.

[Momo]

thanks!

[Sheherezade]

I have heard the thing about lethargic being worse than hot, too. My son ran insanely high temps (and had febrile seizures, too ) so I'm familiar with the total panic. Try to do the Motrin followed by Tylenol if the Motrin alone doesn't bring it down. You can also wrap them up in a blanket (to stop the chills) but give them an icy cold drink to sip with a straw while the medicine kicks in. I'd want to have them checked out no matter what. I know lots of childhood illnesses come with high fevers, but I'd feel better talking to the doc. (JMHO) Vast majority of the time, it is nothing serious - just a viral illness with a high fever onset.

I hope your baby feels better soon. Keep us informed.

[Vanquisher]

You can alternate Motrin with tylenol and try to hep cool with a tepid bath and popsicles. Popsicles always help - good for dehydration too! I have been that panicked with my kids. Lexi had a 104.7 fever when Chad was on call, and she was lathargic, but I think kids just get that way when their fevers are high. It makes you feel like crap!

If her temp doesn't come down with the motrin and tylenol and other methods (bath, clothes, popsicle), then I would call the ped on call.

I know how you feel....for whatever reason, fevers always make me panic. Most likely it's just a virus and will run its course. I second the rectal temp suggestion. And, yes....rotate Motrin and Tylenol....dh spaces them 3 hours apart round the clock until the fever breaks.

I hope she's able to sleep well tonight!

Sending healthy vibes your daughter's way.

Jodi

[Momo]

Thanks you guys...I usually can handle anything under 102 w/ out panic...it just shocked me when I saw the high reads. Like Heidi's situation DH isn't here tonight. The good news is the Motrin really brought it down. Luckily like I said earlier she remained fairly active throughout it all. I use to alternate Tylenol & Motrin as well, but my pediatrician back in MI told me that I needed to stop doing that ...something about possible kidney problems stemming from the alternating of the meds??

[Momo]

Oh bummer...not a fun way to spend the weekend. I hope you feel better soon...can Detroit wait?

[Momo]

She's doing well, thanks for checking! You get plenty of rest! :z