Sick child

[Tab]

It's okay now, just looking for commiseration.

My son, who is normally extremely healthy - rarely sick - was extremely tired, sleeping, and later on running a fever. I tried the "under your tongue" electronic thermometer, and was getting readings like 102.9 and 103.4 (he's 11). I didn't think he was doing it right, but it should be lower. I actually went out and bought a replacement Thermoscan (reads from the ear canal) (the old one had problems), and $42 later, it's telling me 104.7 and 105.4. Obviously it's not the thermometer. Making it worse, he was complaining of neck pain as if he slept on it wrong. Meningitis immediately came to mind. I called my mother (who's a PA), we ran him through some tests that would cause a reaction if meningitis, no reaction. Put him on some good doses of Motrin and Tylenol - fever seems to have broken. He's now hovering around 100.7 or so. Not great, but it's not 105. 100, I don't care (I mean, I care, but I don't really "worry". 105, I worry).

I was ready to take him to the emergency room, but since it broke so quickly it probably wasn't appendicitis or meningitis - they wouldn't have reacted that well. So, all's cool - just a stressful parenting day.

[tigereye]

1. high fevers are weird

my son has rarely had them, but Motrin usually worked well when they were more typical ones. People tend to forget that the lower ones are a sign of the body trying to heal itself...


Friends of mine had to give ice baths to one of their kids one time -he used to get really high fevers.


It's always good to get a prof. opinion, though, makes you feel better. We ususually call the Blues on Call and that is always a help or use their triage book...

One time my husband ran my kid, still in his pjs, down to the Dr. office since my son's tummy really hurt- turns out it was related to having strep throat... who knew.....


Hope your little one is feeling better. :hug: from another parent...

[Tab]

2. Thanks

He was up last night too, throwing up, which almost never happens and fever still around 102/103. When I said I called my mother, I may not have mentioned that she's a Physician Assistant (as close to a MD you can get without being a MD).

If he always got high fevers, I might not have been as worried, but he rarely gets sick. Anyway, it seems to be clear he has that wonderful flu that's sweeping the nation. And now I'm running at 99.8, so I'm at risk too. Hopefully it won't get for me like it did for him.

So, your husband - still wearing his PJs - ran your kid to the Dr's office? :)

I know what you were saying. It's hard to tell sometimes. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Thanks. I guess he'll survive, but it's making for a lousy school vacation week.