Persistant fever

Dorasmum · #1 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 04:08 PM

DD2 has been having a high temp on and off since last friday. First only came back every few nights, but now the last 24 hours it won't leave. Thought it might be teething - no other symptoms, except she threw up last night.

Any ideas what it could be? I'm thinking maybe it's a UTI or something. but I don't want her on antibiotics. she's feeding heaps, I'm tired of carrying her around, and am getting little sleep. What can I give her? She doesn't like taking anything suss.

Typing with ione hand-shes asleep on my lap.

Em

**Nyree** · #2 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 04:20 PM

How high is the temp getting? I'd leave anything under 38.5 to kill the pathogens, but if it gets higher than that, I find the Brauer Cold & Flu stuff for kids to be good in reducing the fever. Maybe gastro? Make sure you're drinking plenty of water to make sure she's well hydrated, too.

Dorasmum · #3 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 04:28 PM

No it's not too high, last night maybe, but generally manageable, which is why I haven't gone to dr yet. I might go down to chemist this arvo. Mild gastro? i guess it could be, a few going around, and she has had some funny poop's. But why such a long period of fevers?

Em

emd · #4 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 04:39 PM

I would do a wee test for a UTI just to be on the safe side. It's better if you can DIY rather than letting a hospital registrar or GP do it, parents are more patient with holding the cup so there's no need for the little bag or a catheter.

Phone your GP and ask for a pathology referral form and a sterile collection jar that you can pick up.
When you're ready to test, get DD to have a drink/feed, then wait ten minutes. Then take off her nappy and wipe the area with a wet washcloth (no disposable wipes, the chemicals contaminate test results). If you have a potty, put the container in the potty and get her to sit on it. Then you stay with her and sing, chat, read stories until the wee happens. Be very careful that toddler hands don't get in the container, nor anything else that might contaminate the result.

If it is a UTI, the AB's are important to prevent kidney damage. But if it's not a UTI, at least the test is not traumatic and you won't be taking AB's for no reason.

It could be a minor tummy upset. Staying off dairy might help, it can irritate the gut if they've had mild gastro.

**Marguerite** · #5 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 07:27 PM

In our northern winter there was a virus like you describe doing the rounds Em. Most of the children in our compound had a fever for days some up to a week. After several days some got a sore throat too, but no other symptoms.

Dorasmum · #6 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 07:34 PM

Well I popped down to our wee little local chemist (first time I've been in there) and discovered they have a little dr clinic attatched to it so I made and appt for tomorrow at 10.

emd I have one of those stick on wee collection things spare to use so I'll do that in the morning and take it in. Should check to make sure. Last time I had to collect from her she wouldn't do it and I had a devil of a time collecting anything, then it spilt...why is it they wee on you or in the bath when you least want them to and won't when you do???

She's feeling a bit better this arvo, I picked up some stronger childrens panadol 1 month to 2 yrs, only need 1.5ml a dose instead of 8 ml of the other stuff I had, was too hard to get that much into her, the chemist gave me nurofen to alternate every three hours if I needed too.

I never once used any pain/fever stuff with DD1 until she was about 4 and got her first mild ear infection, never had to but with this one it's just come up more and more often, I get so tired and I have to use it to give her a break. It bothers me but what can I do?? Almost seems like one child is stronger than the other or something.

Em

GreenGully · #7 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 08:01 PM

Have you been doing her with panadol? If so that could be the reason the fever is persistent, it is not being allowed to do its job...just a thought as my gp mentioned that viruses with fevers tend to last twice as long if treated with panadol.

Dorasmum · #8 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 08:24 PM

REALLY??!! That I did not know. I have only given her Panadol in the last 2 days, the first 4 days of it coming and going I didn't give her anything. Maybe I'll just have a go with the Nurofen tonight if it's needed. We really all need a good nights sleep and I don't want to change the sheets again...which reminds me I haven't put new ones on yet, nothing worse than stripping the bed and forgetting to put on fresh ones until you want to go to bed..

Em

GreenGully · #9 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 09:25 PM

Nurofen would have the same effect. Personally I don't ever mess with temps unless I suspect a serious illness (with other symptoms like serious rash etc). There should be some threads on here re temps if you do a search. If I wasn't so tired I would elaborate, sorry! I hope it resolves soon!

Dorasmum · #10 (**permalink**) 31-07-2008, 09:33 PM

Well I don't either but when she gets so tired and hot she starts vomiting I have to do something. She also had a convulsion with a temp a few months ago which scared the heck out of me so I'm a little more wary. Like I said, I never bothered with DD1, she just rode them out.

Em