your ped's view on fevers

So my pediatrician's philospohy is that of the AAP, which is to treat the child not the number and to give acetaminophen if the child is in pain, lethargic and not herself. so my DD had a fever of 101,6 yesterday and i brought her in. ears, nose, throat are all clear, so it seems to be a cold related fever because she has a runny nose. i took her temp in the middle of the night and it was 102.5 but i didnt wake her to give more acetaminophen because she was sleeping peacefully. well, i told my mother this and she was horrified. she cannot believe that this is the philosophy, to not wake a kid to give meds when they have a fever and to let a fever go on for days. (my ped says theyve ben seeing a lot of fevers last for a few days lately and that if my DD's is still around by Thursday, then to bring her back in). So, whats your ped's stance on fevers? My mother is driving me nuts. Thanks.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

same as yours.. if they are not suffering do not give meds.. the meds dont CURE the virus.. it's just masking it.. so if the child is fine.. why medicate!! If the child is miserable.. then medicate.. no need to maks a fever if it's not causing pain.. is the body's way of getting rid of the virus.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

My pediatrician and I are generally very laid back, but since my older DS had a febrile seizure when he was younger, I treat every fever- low or high.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I have the same problem with my mother.

I just remind her that a fever is a natural immune reaction- the higher temperature kills the bacteria. So my allowing your childs immune system to work, they may actually get better faster.

I avoid giving tylenol or anything as much as possible. As long as ds is acting normally, eating/drinking so as not to get dehydrated, I'll let a fever run its course

Re: your ped's view on fevers

tell your mom her dr's also said it was ok to smoke so maybe we should go with todays drs who have far much better research at their fingertips rather than her maybe dated advice ...with a smile of course

and body temp will always rise during sleep you should take temp about an hour after they wake up to get an accurate reading.

Message edited 4/30/2013 8:17:25 AM.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I don't know - 102.5 is pretty high

I won't treat 99-100 if they are acting okay.

Message edited 4/30/2013 8:31:15 AM.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

Funny you brought this up. Ds got the flu weeks ago. Brought him in with a 106.1 temp. I was surprised how high it was. I called DH while waiting for the doctor and he was upset that there wasn't a doctor there with ds having such a high temp. Doctor came in tested him for the flu. It was positive. He told me to go home and give him tylenol if needed. Otherwise rest and liquids until he feels better. I asked about the high temp and he said the same thing. He said he's seen children with a 101 temp who looked horrible and here's DS walking around appearing normal playing on the kindle. I guess just a different thought process. Ds was well the next day.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I treat anything 100.4 or higher. I'm a nurse and this is what we do to treat fevers.

If she's ready for bed and 100 I'll give tylenol so she can sleep comfortably. Colds always turn into painful ear infections so I know she'll be uncomfortable and I don't want her to spike throughout the night either.

Sometimes babies, kids and even adults can be symptomatic before a fever spikes. That's the lethargy and general discomfort. So I think what they mean is if the baby is lethargic but afebrile to give the tylenol because it's probably only a matter of time. truthfully, I've seen it with my adult patients. One minute no temp and confused - next off the wall confused and 106!!

How's DC this morning? I hope feeling better!

Re: your ped's view on fevers

Having a son who gets a low grade fever with every cold, I usually don't give him anything until it reaches 102 or higher. My ped. agrees with this. However, if it is 101 or higher before bedtime, I will usually give him motrin since I know it will probably spike overnight.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

My ped feels the same as yours - don't need to give meds unless she seems uncomfortable.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I treat low grade and high fevers with Tylenol or Motrin. Not because it cures anything but because feeling feverish is awful, I know I can't deal when I have a fever, so I give meds to keep my DD to keep her comfortable. She's a different person after taking Tylenol, she just feels better and is less mopey and whiny.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

Re: your ped's view on fevers

Posted by Linda1003

same as yours.. if they are not suffering do not give meds.. the meds dont CURE the virus.. it's just masking it.. so if the child is fine.. why medicate!! If the child is miserable.. then medicate.. no need to maks a fever if it's not causing pain.. is the body's way of getting rid of the virus.

your ped's view on fevers

I treat anything above 100.

I want him to be comfortable. I know I feel crappy when I have a fever and I take meds to help take the edge off. Why wouldn't I do the same for DS?

102 is high to me - I would be bringing him to the ped to make sure there is nothing else wrong - infection etc...

Re: your ped's view on fevers

My ped told me there is no magic number for a fever, in which to bring the kid to the er. A child under 2 months, yes, but that's aap guidelines, not his policy.

He says a fever is a good thing, that the body is trying to,fight something off. They make me nervous, but I give tylenol and keep an eye on them, obviously.

your ped's view on fevers

our doc is the same as yours. No meds unless the child is in pain, lethargic or otherwise miserable (or if it is very high, llike over 103). Treat the child, not the fever.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

same. they are more concerned with the child's behavior. a 101 fever with lethargy is more alarming than a 104 fever in a child who is playing and laughing and behaving normally.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

Re: your ped's view on fevers

My mil had the same reaction the last time my son was sick. He had a fever of 102.8 while he was sleeping. I did not wake him up to give meds because he was sleeping fine. I give meds if my kids are acting miserable or are in pain, not by the number on the thermometer.

your ped's view on fevers

I treat all fevers with medication (I don't recall the ped. saying anything about this) just so DS is comfortable. I don't wake him up in the middle of the night for this though. The ped. does have the policy on whether or not to bring them to the hospital or the office which is what others have said... not to treat the number but treat the behavior. So if he's lethargic, not eating etc...

I have recently started to call and ask to bring him in when DS has fevers though because it seems that it's actually an ear infection. He's gone days at a time without treatment in the past and while it's good he could self-heal, I'd rather it be handled sooner than later if possible.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I let her cook!


If she looks and acts fine, I do nothing HOWEVER… I am a worry wort so before she goes to bed, if she’s running over 102 I will give her Tylenol. I do not wake her up to give her meds. I just loosen her covers and keep her cooler (not cold).

Ped won’t offer any real service until she’s been feverish for at least 3 straight days. I mean yes, they’ll see her but I find it a waste of time (if she has no other symptoms). I just don’t take her. I wait 3 days and if I see no improvement I’ll take her in.

At first my doc thought I was crazy then learned I WILL take her in if my mama-senses tingle and I’m a mean mama lion if I think she is sick and they can’t ‘see’ it like I do. However, I won’t take her with ever cough and sniffle. Fevers are just one part of many things that can be wrong.

Thankfully she doesn’t get random fevers down here like she used to in NY so its been smooth sailing.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I have no idea what me ped would say! LOL

I rarely take their temperature. If they are acting "off" and feel warm- I will and then give tylenol/motrin if there is a fever.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

I treat anything over 101 with Tylenol. Unless he has other symptoms. DS had a low grade temp and cough 3 weeks ago and within a few hours he spiked up to 104. Tylenol and fluids. He is allergic to Motrin/Advil. Pedi said it was all viral and to keep him comfortable..

As per my pedi too...

Message edited 4/30/2013 6:43:20 PM.

your ped's view on fevers

Our ped doesn't consider a fever high unless it's 105. The fever is killing whatever is brewing in your little one so reducing it will just prolong the healing time. Just keep them cool and hydrated. We rarely even take a temp.

Re: your ped's view on fevers

My ped is not woried about high fevers. Sh esays treat the symptoms not the fever.