Would you take your baby to the doctor if he has a fever?

[FutureHKmom]

Just interested in other mummies would do....my son has had a low grade fever (between 99 and 100.8 degrees) since late yesterday afternoon. Other than having the fever, being more tired than usual and not really having a big appetite, he doesn't have any other symptoms. I want to take my son to see a doctor this afternoon, but my husband feels that there is no need and we should just continue giving childrens paracetomol to reduce his fever. I am always the more cautious one of the two of us. What would you do in this situation? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[nicolejoy]

I don't even give paracetamol for low grade fevers, unless she's obviously uncomfortable or unless there are other symptoms. I don't take her to the doc if she's got a runny nose either. Out of my hubby and I, I'm the less cautious one. I tend to say "It's just *such and such* and they're just going to tell us *blah blah blah*" - and so far I haven't been wrong yet. BUT if I wasn't sure it was just a minor childhood thing, I'd definitely take her to the doc.

My thoughts are, keep an eye on it if it's not too serious, keep them home, well rested, hydrated... and if things get worse or if it's somehow different/worse than usual, then take them...

 

[Sleuth]

I would not take him to the doctor at that temperature.
Is he teething?
We can call our doctor and he'll tell us we are crazy and when to really bring him in.

 

[carang]

i wouldn't either. i WOULD make sure he's getting enough liquids. it's very easy for a little one to dehydrate.

probably, i would take him in if it hits 102

 

[LeahH]

No doctor at that level if bub is still drinking and eating. But I do give paracetemol for low grade fever (more to alleviate any pain than to bring the fever down).

That said, I just waited one week before taking my 1 year old to the doctor with a cough - he was very out of sorts and not himself. Turns out he had a chest infection and the Dr said always bring them in if you feel something is not right - you are the best judge. He was immediately better after antibiotics and I wish I'd taken him sooner.

 

[pixelelf]

i wouldnt. unless it persists for more than 3 days. or accompanying there's diarrhea/ vomitting. in fact, my doc ordered, unless the baby has fever for more than 3 days / fever is 41 degrees / i have money to burn, stay home. you can tell, i have annoyed my doc quite abit haha!

 

[Shenzhennifer]

My baby was sick last week with fever, etc. I took him to the doctor on the 3rd day of fever (37-39 fluctuating) and when he was really acting sick and lethargic.
For low grade fevers, I don`t give him anything unless he is suffering. I figure the fever is doing its work to fight off whatever is the problem, so unless it gets too high or ifmy baby is suffering, I leave it alone and just give him extra hugs.

 

[lesliefu]

i would definitely give paracetamol, because any fever if it spikes could result in a febrile convulsion when your baby is not fully developed...those happen SO quickly, you just don't want to risk it. (i should say, my daughter was hospitalized for febrile convulsion, so I am extra cautious). anyhow, i wouldn't take to the doctor but if 100.8 lingers for one full day, then i would...that's a low grade fever, but that also means she's fighting something and you might want to know exactly what. in the mean time, cold baths to lower the temp. work wonders, as does plenty of fluids (my daughter doesn't like water, so we ended up giving her lots of chinese soup)...because of my daughter's past history, i want to know sooner than later - that's just me though...

 

[thanka2]

We have a great service in the city I come from--it's called Ask A Nurse. So, if you have any health issue you can call up a 1-800, toll-free number and speak with a licensed nurse who goes through a protocol of questions with you to somewhat diagnose the problem. Of course, if the problem is major, they tell you to go immediately to the hospital.

Anyway, when my son was about 1-year-old he got a fever for the first time. He was also throwing up. The nurses that we spoke with told us that the protocol (in the US) is that if the child under 2-years-old is throwing up and has diarea constantly for 24 hours you should take them to the hospital.

As far as fever goes, I was instructed that if the fever ever reaches 103-104 degrees take the baby to the hospital. Actually, when babies have fevers they tend to run a lot higher than a human fever. A normal baby temperature can even be higher than an adults--so whereas 98 degrees is normal for an adult, 99-100 degrees can even be considered normal for a small child. Because small childrens' hearts are beating a lot faster than adults hearts they tend to be warmer. That's why 103 degrees, while super serious in an adult (your brain is cooking almost by that point), in a small child it's about the time you first take him/her to the hospital. That's what the nurses explained to me.

My son's fever did get up to 103 but we also were trying to keep from giving him tylenol at that point. We took him to the hospital and checked him for an ear infection and sure enough, that's what was wrong. Put him on antibiotics and gave him medicine to break his fever and he was fine from then on.

 

[reei]

if you bring him to see the doctor, the doctor will just prescribed paracetamol. the first few times baby has fever, i brought her to see doctors. and after that few times, you will be experience and know what to do . trust your maternal instinct. but then again, if you are not sure whether to bring or not, then bring him to see doctor.
when you are sure you dont have to bring him see doctor, you'll just know it.