Help!!!!!!should I Take My Daughter to the Er?

Updated on January 06, 2007
C.J. asks from New Cumberland, PA
28 answers

I am at a loss.Two days now she has been cranky, and very jumpy to noise.Everytime anyone makes the slightest clank, she screams.Yesterday she threw up, and she had a slight temp.She slept 11hrs last night, and this morning she has been crying, sleepy, and not herself at all.She took a nap and when she woke up crying, I went into a vomit filled crib.EWWW.I took her temp again, and it was 100 degrees.I gave her tylenol at 4pm.At 6pm her temp was up to 102 degrees.I called her ped, and they dont have hours till tues.What should I do.I was thinking of taking her temp again in 30 min, and if it goes up take her.Is that was I should do?I would hate to wait it out if it is something I should worry about.I would also hate to sit in the ER for four hrs if it is nothing.I cant have her like this.It is tearing me up to see her like this.HELP.Thank you

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So What Happened?

On Cristmas Eve, 10pm I took her to the ER when her temp rose again and spiked 102.6 degrees.As soon as I got there they took her.Thank heaven.She got all kinds of tests done.X ray's, IV, antibiotics through IV, and at 3am, they ssaid they think they were going to have to admit her.She was constipated, had a UTI, bacertial, and viral infection, and she was def fighting(trying) an infection.The ER doc got a hold of her ped, and after 8 long grouling hours at the ER, we were told we could go home with stipulations.I must take her to her ped first thing tues am, and she is also getting oral antibiotics, and tylenol, and massages to help her bowels, and constant care.I am giving her water at all times, and pedilyte by syringe every 10 min....she is doing great though.She was a true trooper.Thank you all so very much.Next time i will go with my gut and take her instead of listening to everyone in the fam.Have a Merry Christmas

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H.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would take her to the ER. I am always one to be on the cautious side! Keep up posted as to how she is doing!

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Take her to the ER. Even if it turns out to be nothing, at least you'll know. Hope everything works out. Happy Holidays

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J.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

Take her immediately to the ER. Do not hesitate! They will contact her pediatrician for her records, to keep them posted and or to co-ordinate care. Please have her checked out immediately! Don't wait another second!

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T.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes, I think you should take her to ER. If she can't keep anything down then she definitely need to go ER. If she had this going for couple of days or more....you shouldn't mess around with that. Take it down to ER to be safe than sorry. One time my daughter was sick several years ago. She couldn't keep anything down. We took her down to ER and they examined her and said she had sinus infection. Ok..few days later..still the same..took her back down to ER. They said she had an urinary tract infection and something else. They wanted to do a spinal tap but they have to transferred her to Children's Hosp. Before she left they treating her with antibiotic. At Children's Hospital, they ran some tests on her...did the spinal tap.....they think she had bacteria mennigentis but they couldn't ruled it out because she was already on antibiotic. So please don't think what your daughter might have. Don't wait but again....it might be just a virus. Good luck.

T.

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J.A.

answers from Washington DC on

watch her some more. is she vomitting so much that her wet diapers are diminishing? is her soft spot sinking in more than usual (if it hasn't close up)? is her fever over 104? If you answer yes to these, then yes i would bring her into the er. but i wouldn't rush her to the er with her current symptoms. I would just watch it and keep a log of wet diapers, vomits, and write down her temp every few hours. that way if anything happens that signals and er visit, you will know. definitely make an pediatrician appointment.

eta: definitely yell at your pedi for that! i cant believe no dr was on call. it definitely sounds like it was just a stomach bug. lots of those have been going around. still continue to watch her and keep a log, my son had similar symptoms and often he would wake up ok, only to have it "start up" again in the afternoon. Honestly the best thing you can do is let her sleep, continue to give her the tea, dress her lightly, and just keep monitoring her. hope she is over it

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G.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I think you should take her to the ER if you haven't already. Although you may have to wait a little bit they will be able to check things out. A fever of 102 after Tyleonol sounds serious to me. Plus, with the vomiting she may become dehydrated.

Just my opinion. But, GOOD LUCK! You are in my prayers.

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L.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Sounds like things are looking better. But please keep a close watch on her. Several times my daughter was sick with a slight fever and vomitting and when I took her to the doctor, she had ear infections. Hopefully, your daughter just had a bug. In the future, if you are really worried, I would take her. I agree with the other moms; better safe than sorry. Plus, they tend to take young children rather quickly at the ER. My tip: if you go to the ER, sometimes you have to exaggerate her symptoms so they will see her sooner, too. Hey, whatever works, right? Take care and Happy Holidays!

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K.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Dear C.:

Sorry - I did not see your reponse initially - glad you went!

I hope you have taken you daughter for evaluation.
Noise - could be ear infection. Fever will spike with an ear infection too. I'm very careful when my kids are ill (now 18, 10, and 9) - I am deaf in one ear after losing my hearing to an ear infection that occured with high fever and measles when I was a child.

However, not to scare you - evaluation should always be considered when your child is not behaving normally or seems really out of sorts. Children can handle fever and illness better than adults. So, when your child is really out of sorts - I wouldn't question - evaluation. Patient First is always open and I have used their facilities many times when I could not get a Peds appointment - doctors aren't available for appointments or available on weekends.

Your daughter's symptoms could be the flu, virus - prominant at this time of year - again, evaluation.

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B.K.

answers from Washington DC on

it could just be the flu. it is going around. You could call her ped office and talk to the nurse or on call doc. to see what you should do. i do that before i take my kids to after hours care or the er. The local hospital near where we live has a nurse line where you can call to see if you should go to the er or not.

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H.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Listen to your gut. If you feel something really isn't right, I would take her in. True, you may have to sit in the ER and it could be nothing major, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Try calling your dr.'s office...I know you said they don't have hours until Tuesday, but sometimes the machine will leave a number to call to reach your doctor in case of emergencies. I've taken my son to an Urgent Care facility before...much cheaper than the ER, and the doctors were wonderful. Best of luck to you...and let us know how she is.

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M.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I wish I'd seen your message sooner. I think I'd have gone to the ER when the temp was 102, that's very high. There's also a few other options, if your insurance covers them.....Patient First, Bel Air Express Care, and the Minute Clinic in the Target. Minute Clinic might have a minimum age of 18 months o so, though. I'm sure you've gotten things all figured out for this go around, but keep those in mind next time if you think she needs to be seen in a hurry but it's not quite serious enough for the ER. Also, in my experience, the ER at Upper Ches. does see the youngins pretty quickly. Usually not a 4 hour wait, like there typically is for an adult.

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T.A.

answers from Washington DC on

Any fever that goes up with tylenol/motrin needs to be evaluated. Go. Now.

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B.M.

answers from New York on

You should get her checked out ASAP.

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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

I agree go to the ER.

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S.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I wouldn't rush off to the ER. It really does sound like a bug. My kids have gotten fever as high as 105, and my dr. just says it's the bodies way of fighting it off. They have always been right, i wait it out and its gone. I agree with the wet diapers things though, if you notice she isn't having wet diapers, then you need to take her. Or if she's not crying any tears, or her lips get really cracked and her tongue is very dry, cause that means she is dehydrated. Hang in there, I'm sure it is just a bug.

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J.Y.

answers from Harrisburg on

You have to go to the ER, if you haven't already done so. You can never be too careful. I took my son to the ER one night because he had slept much more than usual that day. I felt like an idiot going there and saying, "I'm here because my son slept a lot today." He ended up have stomach surgery the next morning. I'm not saying that's what's wrong with your daughter, but it's just an example that you shouldn't wait. Go!!
Good luck.
J.

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I would call a night time pediactrics and take her there the er could take hours and not always helpful how we need them to be but night time is...I would sugest an ear infection but I am not a doctor so I wouldn't wait till tuesday...Good luck and I hope she feels better soon...Happy holidays..Let me know how everything goes if you get the chance?

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J.E.

answers from Philadelphia on

Your peds office should have a doctor on call that you can ask to speak with. The doctors are very used to getting calls off hours about babies, it's their job! If you can't get in touch with a doctor - TAKE HER! You can NEVER be too careful, and will be hating yourself if something is wrong and you didn't do anything. Follow your mother's instinct, and don't care what anyone else thinks.

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J.A.

answers from York on

In York there are two "Ready Care" locations, one on East Market and the other On Edgar St in York. I would call and see if they are open before going to the ER. They deal with small emergencies. It used to be called "Urgent Care" and will be in the phone book under Wellspan or York Hospital. I can't remember which one. Anyway the wait is far less than the ER. If they feel it is really bad they'll send her there but usually they are able to deal with illness the same as your pediatrician.

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B.N.

answers from York on

YES!!! When you know she is not herself and she has a temperature, PLEASE take her to the ER. You know her better than anyone else. Listen to your mommy voice. It's the best advice you can get. Fevers in kids are dangerous. Anything over 101 needs immediate attention. Especially if medication is not helping.

Glad she's feeling better. I think I'd be looking for another pediatrician. That's horrible that they don't have an on call doc. I'm sure I'd be grilling the heck out of them when I talk to them on Tues!

Something I've learned as 13 years in EMS is kids compensate really well, then they crash. Get her there NOW. She's compensating for something. Maybe she has an ear infection...maybe she actually has a ruptured something in her ear. It's obviously painful and not getting better. Preferrably take her somewhere that deals with children. An ER with a pediatric specialty would be great. Not sure where you are located. If you are in York County, call York Hospital and ask if it's something they can handle. Otherwise, go to Hershey Med Center or The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21287.

Both have web sites. Hope you get her some help and she is feeling better soon.

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D.J.

answers from Washington DC on

Did you take her to the ER? I hope so!!!!!
If you did, what did the doctor say???

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M.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Celest,
If u havent already taken her,I highly suggest u do.I myself had to make that call a few days ago and it was the best thing I did..My 4 year old was shaking as if she was having a seiure so me and my hubby rushed her to the er only to find out she has pnemomia in her left lung..We was told by the er nurse that we saved her life...I would advise any mom not to wait..if u think its a problem-GO TO UR NEAREST ER!!U could be saving ur childs life in the end.

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T.J.

answers from Pittsburgh on

C.:

I hope that your daughter is better now. The best thing to do for high fevers is to try to get the fever down with tylenol or a relaxing luke warm bath. Ease her into the bath slowly. As for her having the reaction to the noises, she cold have an ear infection. Is she pulling at her ears? Children with ear infections tend to pull at their ears or their ears will appear red at times. That would explain the reaction to noise as well as the fever. When my oldest was a baby he use to get ear infections on a regular basis. Do you live in the Latrobe, PA area? If you do, you can also get the 800 number for Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh & talk with a pediatric nurse. I find that sometimes they will be more helpful then your own pediatrician. I hope that your little Angel is feeling better. Please let me know how she is doing! Take care & the best of luck!

T.

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M.L.

answers from Washington DC on

There is a urgent care pediatrician at Dulles Town Center. They are called Pediatric at Night. They are open every day, even holidays, and they take most insurance plans. We took our son there and were VERY pleased. Good luck!!

Dulles Town Center
Between JC Penny and Sears
21010 Dulles Town Circle
Dulles, VA 20166

###-###-#### phone
Saturday - Sunday 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Holidays 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm

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M.P.

answers from Scranton on

There are a lot of viruses going around. Personally, I'd take her to the ER if she continued this behavior for 48 hours and getting worse. They may need to put in an IV to replenish her fluids and give her meds for her nausea so that she can get something down. I know they say not to panic for a fever in a child unless it's over 104 (some say 105 some say 106)...I say anything higher than 101 in anyone should be looked at ... but I'm just a concerned mom...not a doctor.

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L.N.

answers from Washington DC on

well, it could be a stomach bug. there are a few going around though her fever shou;dn't get high with these things. i know what you mean about ER, I hate those. how about medexpress or something of the sort? anything close to you? you'd be in and out of those, i believe. call the ped. on call again and see if they know of any nearby you. otherwise you might end up going to ER who again will not say anything i am sure just keep you there the entire night.
she's one years old. shouldn't she be getting motrin? those are better for fever. tylenol never worked for my girls. that's another thing you can ask the ped. on call that and the dosage for motrin if it gets a green light
vlora

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L.W.

answers from Scranton on

go to the er better safe than sorry

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K.J.

answers from Harrisburg on

I pray she is okay I also hope you have taken her to the ER. In the future any temp over 101 with vomit if the dr can't take her go to the er it could be the start of something serious because all a fever and vomit are is your body trying desperatly to fight something that shouldnt be there let me know whats going on

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