Help with Chronic Fevers

Hi T.. My son had a fever that lasted about 5 days. He didn't have any pain that he was complaining about (he's almost 3, but communicates very well), but I could tell he was not feeling well. I took him to the Dr., and he had strep throat. I guess they don't have much pain associated with it at that age? Actually, my DH and I had strep also, but DH never got a sore throat, just fevers for all of us (and I was the lucky one with the intense throat pain). Hopefully it's not strep, or anything else to worry about for that matter, but it may be worth looking into. Good luck and hope you are all feeling well soon!

Have you gone to a Doctor. You might ne to all be on antibiotic, make sure you take all of it .
And if you done this already get a second opinon.
Cause honny this doesn't sound very good. I know doctors are very expecive. But It could end up being deadly specialy for the cildren. I'm not trying to scare you but you wanted my opions.

I hope what find out the proulem the n please let me know what up.

Secerly yours V., some one who cares and will hope and pray for you and your family

____@____.com main email adress
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This doesn't sound right. Their pediatrician needs to work with you on this.

Good luck

When someone has a fever that is a sign of infection, you need to find out what is the source of the infection.

God bless,

Dear T., I am a nurse so my advise is to go to your (PCP) primary care Dr. and tell him/her what is going on. Fevers are not normal for exteneded periods. You may need chest xrays, throat cultures, bloodwork. Are you all having fevers? Are there days in between? Are you actually taking the temps or guessing? Please take the temps of all who are ill and note how high, what time of day (any night sweats?), and for which family member. Have you been out of the country in the past year? Give your Dr. all of this info when you go in. Also, any rashes, diarrhea, chronic cough, or unususal symtoms?

Recently my 8 y/o girl had a fever all day and slept. We dosed her around the clock with Tylenol and Pediaprofen. I assumed it was a viral illness like so many childhood illnesses are! The next am. she was chipper and hungry but she complained of a sore throat and "bumpy voice." She was a little hoarse so I figured it was a (viral)bronchitis/tracheaitis. I paid little attention to her complaints initially as she wasn't spiking a temp and she looked fine. After much complaining, I finally chekced her throat and it looked very red and terrible! I thought it was strept but no white spots and no fever now!? I took her in and it was strept. I told the Dr. that I was surprised that she hadnt re-spiked her temp! The (Pedi) Dr. told me that fevers can come and go.

Something is making you spike temps and whatever it is, sounds like your whole family has it, is carrying it around and sharing. Stept does come to mind (some people actually dont feel it), a low grade pnuemonia, TB, Lyme's disease...not to scare ya but yo do need to checked.

You might need to have your house checked for mold or a carbon dioxide leak. I would get the carbon monoxide detector right away, they are relatively cheap. The mold detection, however, is not so cheap, but I have a friend who had similar issues, and they uncovered mold in their walls. It's definitely worth a check. I agree with the pediatrician help mentioned below. This doesn't seem like something I would let go.

I had a similar problem,I had a lowgrade fever. Turns out I did actually have a bacterial infection. A UTI.....(urinary tract infection).....I thought how could i not know...It was finally diagnosed by my dermatologist of all things.I went in for some blood tests,and at the last minute she decided she wanted a urine also...I was put on antibotics and am finally getting over it.
It just sounds to me that you all have more than some common flu, and even though you start to feel better you are probably passing it back & forth to eachother??? I'm no doctor so I may have no idea what I'm talking about....Best idea go back to the doctor!!!!Hope you all feel better soon...Lisa

First of all what does your doctor say about this situation? It's important to make sure he or she understands this is going on and is actively involved in solving the mystery. Is the situation serious enough to consider some testing? (stool sample, blood test, etc.) Are you aware that West Nile Virus, the disease contracted through mosquito bites can cause fever symptoms?

Second, I'd be looking for sources of contamination. Have your water tested. Have your home checked for black mold. We had mold and mildew inside our air conditioner and I was sick for nearly two months until we tracked it down.

Do you have any pets? Many small pets can be a source of salmonella contamination. It's important to keep their cages clean and to have family members wash hands after handling them or their things. Even the family dog can harbor some illnesses in their saliva and keep reinfecting the family.

What about your refrigerator? If it's not keeping your food cold enough you could be getting frequent mild bouts of food poisoning.

And what about hand washing? Do all the kids know to wash hands frequently, especially before meals?

After that I'd think about other places where one or more of you may be picking up germs and bringing them home. School, work. Relatives, baby sitter.

Finally, talk to your doctor about allergies!

Good luck, T..

T.,

Am not able to address the on going fever, but if has been more than a couple days medical advice as to what's the cause is a good idea, will help you make a more informed decision about taking medicine/not, and remember that sometimes you immune system may need that antibiotic to fight off a bacterial infection. Also a suggestion, that you change out all your tooth brushes, something we often do not think about but you could possibly reinfect yourselves. Good luck - J.

You don't say whether you've been to a doctor, but I would suggest it as a reoccurent fever is not normal. You may all have a low-grade infection of some kind that your body is having a hard time fighting. Good luck.

Hi T.,
I can understand your concern, it is hard these days to prevent from getting sick, when you have children its even harder. I would suggest that you pay carful attention to their diet to make sure there are as few processed foods as possible. I would also suggest taking a form of dietary supplement that will be beneficial to you and your children. I am a product consultant for Tahitian Noni International and I know that when my son and I are consistant with drinking our Tahitian Noni Juice we go for months with out so much as a sniffle. I would encourage you to look into doing somthing like that. If you want more information about NONI you can go to noniresearch.org and you can always order from me directly if you are interested in doing something great for your health. It's all about prevention!

Is it possible that you have bacterial infections (maybe low grade ear or sinus infections)? If so either antibiotics or lots and lots of time could cure the infection and end any related fever. Sometimes viral infections can create great breeding grounds for bacteria and lead to bacterial infections. You should really consult your doctor, though, as these fevers could be from something that a lay person, such as myself, has never heard of. If you do not have a doctor and/or if your children do not have a pediatician, most communities have private and/or public urgent care clinics (different from the ER) that you could visit. Please get a professional opinion from someone who can observe you and your family in person.

You might try throwing some bleach in your dishwasher. Somehow you keep getting reinfected. I'm not a doctor but I heard about this "cure" a long time ago and it seems makes sense.

Fevers are the body's way of fighting an infection whether viral or bacterial. Perhaps seeing your doctor to rule out any allergies? Is there anything in the house that is making you sick? Like chemicals from cleaners, air freshners, etc. Something is making your immune system weak so that your body is fighting. To boost your immune system try echinacea, lots of vegetables, citrus fruits for vitamin C.
K.

I'm no doctor, but it is probably an infection. Maybe in the ear or sinus. My daughter had bad ear infections when she was younger and the only symptom was a fever until the eardrum would rupture and then that was really bad. Now she has a sinus infection that we are just flushing with saline and she felt better immediately. Things don't dry up naturally in this cold, damp weather. He can't go to school with a fever and he really shouldn't. Something is wrong and he couldn't feel "well". A doctor needs to have a look at him.

Check with your local health department and a branch of the Environmental Protection Agency. There may be something in the construction of your home or in the surroundings. I assume you have all been to the doctor? Good luck. G. V

T., Your family may need more fiber/carbohydrates. Iam no doctor but maybe germ free your bathroon, door knobs, have your family wash hands more frequently. That's what we have done in our household. Our colds, fever, sore thoat has come down. We still have colds but not as often. Hats and coats come on when it's rainy or windy. No more short sleeves. I will pray for you, your husband, your two boys. I go to Bible Study and we pray for everyone. Have a good Year.

Hello T.:

It could be several things.

First, make an appointment with the pediatrician.
Second, sanitize the house, doornobs, phones, light switches, surfaces and toys.
Third, if the above don't work, check into getting your house checked out as a prior advisor mentioned.

Good luck, keep us updated. I know it is rough. We went through a few fever cycles recently but are on the mend.

This is my first time to respond. I am a mother of 3, ages 10,17 and 26. I grew up next to a daycare that I treated as a second home. I beleive you have a virus and due to the weather you have not spent much time apart. So the virus is constantly trading from one of you to another. No matter how clean you are kids share a lot of things and then you pick up after them. Constant hand washing, changing the bathroom towels alot and new tooth brushes might help too. Plenty of fluids of course and you might want to look into liquid vitamins as the body will absorb it better than a pill. After a hot feverish night a clean pillowcase will make you all feel better. I realize this all sounds old school but I would also have one of you visit the doctor and be checked for a strep virus and mononucleousis. Both could be a reason for reoccuring fevers. Best of luck and I will pray for you all.

I am a mother of a 3-year-old boy and an acupuncturist. There is a wonderful pediatric herbal formula (widely used in Japan) and here in the states amongst pediatric acupuncturists for chronic common colds/URIs, ear infections and fevers in children. I use it for my son, as well as all my pediatric patients. It works wonderfully in treating the acute symptoms (full dose) as well as preventing infections (daily low dose from Sept - April). My son started preschool this fall and has been sick only once - he got croup in October. It went through his entire preschool and despite the herbs, he still got it. However, we have managed to avoid the hand, foot and mouth virus, the stomach virus, as well as any random colds that have swept through his classroom. Considering this is his first time in school, I think we've been pretty fortunate with him getting only one virus so far.
There is a lot you can do with diet as well - in supporting a child's immune system through the winter months, while minimizing phlegm production.
You can send me an email if you have more questions. ____@____.com.

That is so hard to deal with. It sounds like you all need some support for your whole systems so you can get well. For you adults, I think acupuncture might be really helpful. For the kids, I would look into homeopathy. My family loves Dr. Michelle Perro in Fairfax at Down to Earth pediatrics. ###-###-####. She's wonderful. She'll treat parents, too.

I might also be able to help you with some overall support through nutrition, supplements and herbs. Please feel free to contact me at ____@____.com. I wish you and your family vibrant health--and soon!

E.
www.nutritionforthewholefamily.com

Hi T.. I am a mom of a 6 yr. old, and right after he stopped breast feeding, he would get colds, bronchial, and of course spread to me, and was so hard to get rid of. They would last a very long time, and medicine did not cure it. I know what you mean. I started getting into natural herbs, and am so thankful to Mother Earth. It works! I am transposing the small section on Fevers for you - If you are interested, you can go to a natural foods store in your area and go to the bulk section of herbs, and make teas. It is so easy and inexpensive. Also, in the winter, I give my son a vitamin that has immune building properties to keep his immune system strong, and vitamin c also. I found the trick is to put into the body immune system strengtheners even when we are well, and we don't get sick as much. Also garlic. Do you like roasted garlic? I feed us that a lot in the winter. boosts immunity. Ok - here it is:
FEVERS
Fever is the way the body kick-starts the immune system, and it may not abe necessary to do anything but give the patients rest and plenty of fluids, and let nature take her course. Generally, this holds true if the fever stays under 100F and lasts for no more than several days. Water is fever's nemesis. Flush the fever from the body by having the patient drink plenty of soothing and pleasant-tasting herb teas such as lemon balm, mallow-violet, rose hip, and lavender, or plain water.
FRUIT TEAS - As a fever mounts, digestion slows, Avoid eating foods that are hard to digest. Instead drink mild cooling fruit teas such as strawberry , raspberry vinegar, or rose petal tea.
POPLAR BARK - This should not be used to relieve fevers aches and pains in young children, as it contains the chemical precursor to aspirin and may cause complications. It may, however, be safely used by adults in combination with an emollient herb such as mallow or plantain.
BORAGE - A cup of strong, warm borage lemonade will cool a fever while stimulating the kidneys to flush poisons from the system. the high vitamin and mineral content will help the person regain strength.
ENCOURAGE SWEATING - Burdock, catnip, ginger, and pepermint encourage sweating, and may be used as teas or baths to help break moderate fevers. To bring down a fever, frequently sponge the patient's neck, forehead, ears, armpits, groin, and soles of feet with tepid brews of peppermint, catnip, or ginger. Have the patient drink as much water as possible, but in small frequent sips. Administer a teaspoon to a tablespoon of peppermint, catnip, or ginger teas every five minutes until the fever lovers.
I hope this will help. I get too tired to tend to a patient, so laboriously, unless they are uncomfortable so I generally make teas that carry the properties needed to heal the fever, and eat lots of garlic! The book is called "The Herbal Home Remedy Book" by Joyce A. Wardwell

Have you looked into Homeopathy? There are several good homeopaths in the Bay Area. You can find out more information and look for a homeopath in your area by visiting the North American Society of Homeopaths website at: www.homeopathy.org

Dear T., I would suggest washing sheets and pillow cases, and all hand towels you use to wipe your hands with after washing them, and all pajamas after wearing them one night. This will probably take a few days to break the cycle--but hopefully it will help. It sounds like you have a virus germ lerking somewhere--if the children share toys--it may be a good idea to wipe them off with those disinfecting wipes (like clorox). If one someone has a fever--no kissing!! Wash hands frequently. It sounds like you are passing it back & forth to each other. Hope this helps!

I assume that you've been to the Dr. If they provide no help - I would start looking for a good acupuncturist. I don't know where you live, but I see Dr. Teresa Shen in Pleasanton (Eastern Medical Clinic.) She's helped me w/ many chronic problems - she's great. My insurance even pays for it. You may want to check into it. They can help kids too (w/out needles since children are much more sensitive - acupressure really helps them.)
Good Luck :)

Well, in simple terms, any form of sickness is an immune system issue. I would focus your efforts on bringing the immune system into balance. This will power up the body to work for itself in fighting off illness. Not that you'll never get sick, but it will be much more managable and wont be as intense or last as long. This falls to diet & lifestyle factors. Since our diet is largely deficient in nutrient rich fruits, veggies, whole grains & Omega 3 fatty acids (flax seed ground up in a coffee grinder and then put in juice is the most effective way to get it) that’s a great place to start.

To further support a healthy diet, my family takes a product called Juice Plus+, which is whole food- 17 fruits, vegetables & grains, clinically proven to help the immune system move into balance, among many other things. My kids take it in chewable form and my husband and I take it in capsule form (also have gummies for the little ones). If interested, you can check it out at www.JPforNutrition.com. We dont have chronic anything anymore and my kids have never been on antibiotics (age 4 & 6).

Hope that helps!

T.,

An old wives tale, that is medically proven is that fact that many fevers are not necessarily becuase the child is sick, but is growing and it's the body's way of working harder to keep everything working as it should while evrything is making a surge of growth. Then there are the real "gowing pains" that come in later. I lived it with one of my daughters but not the other.
I am a mother of two young women of 21 and 24.
I am a dedicated scrapbooker like you, when I have time.