How Long Do I Wait for a High Fever to Break?

Updated on July 09, 2011
K.G. asks from Fort Wayne, IN
13 answers

DD has been running a 101-102* fever for two days now with an episode of vomiting and is still having liquid diapers. DH is freaked out and wants me to take her in. She is drinking but not eating and is very lithargic (sp). We have been doing tyl/mot every 5 hrs with very little relief if any at all. please help me to figure out what road to take 1 wait it out or 2 off to the Dr. and to top off this real bummer event dd is 2 today. and we have cancled all plans for the weekend I am thankful she is too young to understand. TIA

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So What Happened?

I called the Dr. they are taking the wait and see approach. If she stops drinking and has dry diapers then they wnt to see her. or if her fever goes above 102.5.

Featured Answers

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

With it being friday I would get her in now. Its probably viral (I've had a horrid one all wk) but the itty bittys can get dehydrated fast and maybe you can get sum suppositories for her. I hope she feels better and y'all can rest!

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B.L.

answers from Missoula on

My daughter had a fever of 104 for 3 days. I only gave her motrin at night if she couldn't sleep. As long as your baby is drinking and keeping it down she is fine. People shouldn't fear fevers, they are the bodys way of fighting infection. If you supress it, you only prolong the fever. Homeopathics will tell you that a fever is only dangerous when it gets to 107 and to not let it go past 105 in a kid. And really, 102 in my opinion is not high. Just wait it out and if it freaks you out, then take her, but you're just going to get a high hospital bill for them just giving your daughter fluids and motrin.
You should read The Importance Of Fevers by Dr. Tenpenny..it will make you feel better.http://blog.fitnesstown.ca/2009/10/16/the-importance-of-a...

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

My pediatrician didn't consider a fever to be high until it got to 104.
Dehydration is a bigger worry than the fever.
That she's drinking is very good - push the Pedialyte as much as possible (Small amounts but often if she's still throwing up).
It comes in popsicles too, which might help her feel cooler.
Continue to monitor symptoms.
Call your Dr office or nurse line and ask them what symptoms to look for that they would consider a sign that she should be brought in.
They can't do much for a virus, but if she gets dehydrated she might end up in the hospital so an IV can rehydrate her.
A slightly warm/tepid bath every so often might help her feel better (my son still likes a bath if his stomach isn't feeling right).

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H.S.

answers from Detroit on

Press down on the palm of her hand with your thumb, when you do that, you push the blood away from the spot. If it takes more than twenty seconds for the blood to refill in that spot, she's dehydrated and needs to be taken to emergency for IV fluids. I would call your doctor's office to see what they recommend.

Good luck!

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H.B.

answers from Dallas on

Poor baby! Since your dr said to wait it out I would do just that. 101 to 102 really isnt that high and the fact that it hasnt gotten higher than that in the two days is a sign her little body is fighting off whatever virus she has. Popcicles are great for hydration and cooling her off (and what 2 y/o wouldnt want popcicles all day!).

Good luck and I hope she feel better today!

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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

I would go in. Anyone who is young enough to be in diapers should not have a fever for 2 days with vomiting and weakness. I'd get her in somewhere immediately.

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D.G.

answers from Syracuse on

CALL A DOCTOR......dehydration is a serious concern and that is a very high fever......what are you waiting for??? a phone call for petes sake!!!!!

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D.H.

answers from Canton on

You are the parent. Sometimes peace of mind is worth taking your kid to the doctor. I would go in. If it's an earache causing this, the fever won't go away on it's own. I've found that my instincts are usually right and I follow them rather than the doctor all the time. I've never regretted it. I hope she's better soon.

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T.D.

answers from Canton on

If she is literally lethargic, take her in! Lethargy is no crying or eye contact. When they are too sick to even cry, don't wait any longer. Happend to my oldest when she was about 15 months, ended up she had RSV. Thankfully the only time she's ever been to the doc for illness ( and she's 6 now!). Yours is drinking at least and that's good, but I wouldn't wait if she really is lethargic.
Don't mean to scare you. A 101-102 fever is really a normal grade fever.
Also you can rotate tylenol and motrin every 3 hours. Check out Dr. Sears site!

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

take her to the EMERGENCY ROOM!!!! prolonged high fever can cause brain damage even death. Our oldest have almost 105 after coming home from surgery and we took him in and they were alternating Tylenol and Motrin. As soon as we got there and they took his temp he was immediately taken back, no waiting. his fever had only been a few hours. never let your child have a fever for days!!!!! it could even be menningitis, is her neck sore and stiff? does she have a headache?

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

my dr says kids with a fever for 48 hours shoudl be seen. BUT.. my DD is a fever girl.. she can spike a fever of 103 for a cold. I always wait 72 hours for hte fever to break.. as long as she is acting fine, eating and drinking..

Certainly a child that was just laying there not drinking with a fever I would take the to dr..

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A.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

Go to the doctor! Good luck.
A. V.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

If it were me I would call again today and ask if they can see her bc it is Friday and you don't want a fever to spike on the weekend and have to get her to and ER, that is what I would ask for anyway. My dr will always try to see a child with a fever before the weekend as a precautionary thing. It could be something bacterial that could be treated, it could be the flu, it could be strep...I'd want to know. Good luck, I hope your baby feels better soon...

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