Fevers in Three-year-old

When my kids were that age...the pediatrician was always more concerned with their behavior than their fever. That is...if they were up and playing, he wasn't worried...if they became lethargic with a high fever, he wanted to see them.

If there is no other symptoms but the fever they have told me to wait. This has been new though, they used to see you. I think my pediatrician said 3 days...my 4 year old was 104.9 at times. Did they tell you to alternate the motrin/tylenol and a cool washcloth (on the forehead) helps? Make sure to give lots of liquids. I hope the little one feels better soon.

Just for a quick virtual second opinion, I'd check www.askdrsears.com. I often refer to their website for their thoughts on things... they are a family of pediatricians and they have everything from A-Z (literally) on their site. It might just confirm what your ped said, or cause you to question it further... I have found it extremely helpful on many issues. And it's not some random site where you don't really know where the info is coming from or whether it's reliable. Since it's a family of peds, at least you know the info is from their experience. Hope the site helps.

And personally, even if a ped recommended it, I wouldn't let my 3 year old go with a fever spiking to 104 for 5 days before I had him checked. I'm a worrier, so I just couldn't do it... not that that's the info you wanted...

4-5 days bit long give it 1-2 days and yes alternate with motrin-aleve/tylenol every 4 hours to keep the fever down. if it doesn't go down then take to doctor asap.

Hi V.

Just to add my 2 cents, my youngest son just had a fever for 12 days, the last 5 days of it being over 101.5 and it took 2 different doctors to diagnose double ear infections. I find that if it stays over about 101.5 for more than a few days, it's something more than a virus, just might be my kids, but when it doesn't go below that number even with tylenol or motrin they have always had something which required an antibiotic. Also, go with your gut, if something seems worse than a typical cold, insist they be seen.

Yes, so I don't even take them to the doctor until it has been 3 or 4 days. Apparently, children can handle high fevers. Keep in mind that a fever means your child is fighting off something, and that is a good thing. I even try not to give pain medicine so their little bodies can do the work to get them better, and just give the pain medicine for naps and nighttime. I am a mom of 6, oldest is 11.

I'm not a doctor or nurse, but I am the mom of 2. Fevers are usually related to a viral infection, and 5 days seems to be the magic number for viral infections (viral infections don't respond to antibiotics). Since the ped won't prescribe anything for a viral infection, there's really nothing they can do for you. That's why they say wait 5 days. In my experience, on day 5 the fever really does just magically break. Hope your little one is well again soon!

Our ped generally will see the kids if a fever goes more than 3 days or so and/or is consistently over maybe 103 - it kind of depends on what else is going on. That said, the fever will generally go up in the late afternoon/overnight hours (is that when it's going to 104?) and some kids are more prone to high fevers than other. My kids are "fever kids" so seeing a temp above 103, especially at night, is not that unusual, but I know other moms who panic if they even near 102. I do get nervous around 105, especially when it doesn't seem to respond much to tylenol or motrin.

Some things you can do to help (some I know are repeats):

*Double check with the ped how much tylenol/motrin you can give (this changes frequently as they gain weight).

*A tepid/lukewarm bath can also help a lot. They don't like that because it makes them feel cold, but even 5-10 minutes will help - you can feel the heat coming right off them. We usually entice them by giving them non-bath toys/something new to play with in the tub.

*Be sure to keep the liquids in him. If he doesn't want to drink, popsicles usually do the trick here.

While waiting on a fever is generally OK, if your gut tells you he should be seen the ped should agree. Also if other symptoms (sore throat, head ache, neck pain, ear pain, etc.) are present that will often change the time line some.

Hope he's feeling better soon, and good luck with caring for your grandson. It's a wonderful thing your whole family is doing. Blessings to you all.

Yes-because the fever is usually viral. If there are no respritory symtpoms you usually just wait it out. Very hard to do though.

Good luck to you. And God bless you and your daughter!

Four or five days! My gosh, get him to ANOTHER doctor asap! That fever is too high not to be something!

fevers are normally the bodies way of fighting off infections. what if your grandson has an ear infection? you could go to a take care clinic in walgreens. they do accept some insurances. most pediatricians would see a child if they are running a fever. if you are not happy with the doctor switch to another one.

I am not sure about waiting five days to be checked for a fever but I know from experience with my soon to five year old and my soon to be two year old that a fever that is related to a virus (which just has to run its course) can go up to 104 degrees and change with the administration of medication like tylenol or motrin (as told to me by my kids doctor). I usually wait two days before calling tne doctor and am told to call back within the next two days if it continues or the symptoms get worse provided they kids are not grabbing their ears, or stuff is coming out and things of those nature to indicate something else that may be an infection.

I have heard that a low fever is safe to run for a day or two.Most clear up after that. I would be concerned because the fever is going up to 104 - I think that is a little high. I also would not wait past three days - I think even the bottle on tylenol and motrin tell you to see a doctor then. I had an office that would always put me off (I know they deal alot with over reacting parents)- it got to the point I would lie to get my child seen (and they always were "sick") I finally switched to a different office.

If the fever would be low-grade, I wouldn't be concerned. However, with it going up to 104 and only going back down to 101--I'd want a 2nd opinion.