Mom's of Toddlers Who have Spiked a Fever....can you tell me some information?

So all day yesterday Kevin had a slight fever....like 101. I gave him Tylenol throughout the day and he seemed okay, but the fever was still around. When we put him down for the night it was 102 and gave him Tylenol and he went to sleep. About 3 hours later he was up and babbling a lot...so I went up and he was on fire. I took his temp and it was 103. So I gave him more Tylenol and a lukewarm bath. Well then it went up to 104.7 and I called the emergency line at my ped. Who has told me to call if it was higher then 103.

So the on-call doctor called back and was being a total jerk to me. He was like 104 is not a dangerous fever and apparently I was not giving enough Tylenol for his weight. He seemed annoyed I bothered him. So my mom finally came over (she's a nurse) and we put cold wet clothes on him and more tylenol and it went down to 102 again.

He still is hovering around 101 and 102 and he woke up with diarhhea so I assume this is a virus. My actual ped called back to follow up today and was very nice about everything.....

So my question is when are you to call a doctor fever wise? When are you to take him to the ER if need be? And what else could I have done to bring it down besides what i did?

I'm just confused and would like to know for the future.

Thanks.

Re: Mom's of Toddlers Who have Spiked a Fever....can you tell me some information?

It sounds like your doing everything I would of done! I was wondering did your doctor tell you to use Motrin as well?

I just went thru a similar situation. I wasn't that happy with my pediatrician as well. My dd temp kept rising above 103. It went up to 104.3 as well. I went to him he said to alternate every 6 hours Motrin and every 4 hours tylenol. He added not to give her Motrin unless her fever was above 103. Which I thought to myself, you don't want a childs fever to spike, so you try to prevent it to get to that point. To make a long story short her fever kept rising and the Tylenol was not helping. I called him two times over the weekend, he again said there was nothing I could do more.

I saw a different pediatrician with SB. She said to give Motrin every 6 hours and Tylenol every 4-6 hours. She also said as long as the fever is over 100.4 you can give either Tylenol or Motrin. They reccommended having a schedule of every three hours alternating Tylenol then Motrin. Which worked out much better in our situation. I hope that helps! I hope he feels better and his fever goes down!!!

Message edited 5/3/2008 12:29:32 PM.

Re: Mom's of Toddlers Who have Spiked a Fever....can you tell me some information?

It sounds like you did all the right things. I'm sorry the ped was such a jerk to you. Sometimes they lose sight of the fact that there is a concerned parent on the other end of the phone.

The only other thing I might have done would be to put the baby in a blanket and sit outside for a few minutes. The cool night air may help a little.

Re: Mom's of Toddlers Who have Spiked a Fever....can you tell me some information?

I AHTE calling those emergency hotlines, they are so RUDE.
You did the right thing.
Have you tried giving Motrin??