Fever question

[gcvmom]

So difficult child 2's been sick with a flu bug since last Sunday night. Fever ranging from 100 to over 103 from Sunday to Wednesday.

Yesterday (Thursday) his temp was below normal the three times I took it between 6am and 12:30pm. Then at 4:30pm it jumped to 99.9 and it was 99.7 when I took it again at 9:30pm

Today it was 98.9 at 10am, 99.8 at noon, and it jumped to 101 at 4:30pm, which now has me concerned.

He started with a hacking cough yesterday, and despite giving him a cough suppressant and decongestant (his nose has no discharge but I can heare post-nasal stuff) yesterday and today, it's not really helping.

Out of desperation, I gave him a puff off some Advair we have, hoping it would help the bronchial irritation he obviously has.

I'm taking him to the after-hours clinic tonight since we can't get in to see the pediatrician...

But what's up with the fever bouncing back like that?

 

[smallworld]

He may have a secondary bacterial infection at this point. It's good you're taking him to the after-hours clinic to have him checked out.

 

[tiredmommy]

He probably has developed a secondary bacterial infection... get him seen tonight. Our asthma specialist told us that it is usually the secondary infection that puts the child in the hospital. Have there been any pigs flying nearby?

 

[gcvmom]

No, no pigs, but we do have a sick chicken! But seriously, I think avian influenza hits harder. I dunno. Whatever. He's going in so we'll nip whatever it is before it gets really nasty.

 

[tiredmommy]

How is he this evening? Any news?

 

[Hound dog]

He could have gone into bronchitis or pneumonia. Glad you're having him checked out. Any news yet??

 

[gcvmom]

Well, they didn't give us a specific diagnosis... his aural temp was 100.3, he was coughing a LOT and his pulse shot up to 112 (or was it 120? Nurse asked him if his heart was racing and he said no, but when she double checked she looked a bit concerned -- I think it was a combo of the coughing and a little bit of dehydration), they thought he looked really pale (he does) and took a pulse/ox which was at 96... they said they usually like it to be higher in kids, but that's all I heard after that. The PA said his ears were fine, nose is a little stuffy, throat was very red, and lungs sounded like there's congestion in there despite his cough being rather tight and non-productive.

Sooooo... they gave us a Z-pack scrip, told me to give him an expectorant instead of a supressant, push the fluids, yada, yada and follow up with the pediatrician on Monday (which I'd already booked an appointment for since we couldn't get in there today).

I'm guessing it's bronchitis. And yeah, it probably would have tanked pretty quickly at the rate he was going.

I imagine he's going to miss some school next week as well. This is really zapping him hard, poor guy.

 

[Marguerite]

From my experience with a bacterial chest infection, the temp tends to rise in the afternoon/evenings. I found the same when I had mastitis.

All you can do is simply chart things, then show the chart to the doctor. And be prepared for the doctor to not seem to take much notice. it's just one small piece of evidence in the whole picture.

Often with things like this, you don't get a specific diagnosis, you just get "chest infection" or whatever, and they watch and wait. Treat the symptoms, keep him hydrated and nourished, let him sleep when he needs to and when he can, get him to do any schoolwork you have for him. Often, attempting to do the schoolwork can put him to sleep faster, and when he sleeps, he heals faster.

Marg

 

[jal]

I'd be concerned about bacterial pneumonia or even viral. They cause temps and you don't have to do a lot of coughing at all. I'd definately follow up with-the pediatrician on Monday.

 

[gcvmom]

Thanks Marg & Jal...

Will definitely keep the Monday appointment. He's having a quiet day, nibbling here and there, drinking apple juice, Sprite, water, whatever I can get him to take. Cough is not as frequent, but sounding mor productive when he does. Going to have him take a nap in a little bit.

He's lost weight... not sure how much, might be as much as 10 pounds.

 

[gcvmom]

Oh, now this is just great.

He took his first Z-pack dose last night and now he's got the runs...

husband is at the store getting yogurt with-active cultures now.

 

[flutterby]

My doctor says that water is the best expectorant, so really push the fluids.

Poor guy. I hope he feels better soon.