Has your baby ever run a fever while teething?

Question

If so, how high was the fever and how long did it last?

I'm waiting 20 more minutes to call and completely go off on his doctors office and see if I can get an appt w/his regular doc (last time I couldn't get in w/him and had to see someone else).

Johnny's been running a temp of at least 100.5 (sometimes up to 102.5) since early Wednesday morning. Dr said it was teething.

A fever THAT high for 3 days now? Something just isn't right to me. Especially now that he's pulling on both of his ears.

Has your baby ever gone thru something like this? I'm a first time mom, I don't know what to expect with teething.

Thanks.

Answer 1

A sign of pulling on his ears and a fever might actually be an ear ache. A low fever, anywhere from 99 to 100 is normal while teething, anything higher could be a more serious problem, especially if baby Tylenol doesn't bring down the fever. If you don't feel comfortable and your son deems like he is in a lot of pain, then by all means go to the doctor. Good luck!

Answer 2

My doc ALWAYS says a fever above 100.5 is not teething.  My kids run fevers when teething but so far the doc is right, if it is above this number it has never been teething, always something else (ear infection, viral infection).  

A good rule of thumb with fevers is: wait 3 days and then if he still has it call the doc.  All kinds of viral infections can cause a fever and you don't want to over-antiobiotic him at a young age.  If the fever lasts >3 days, it's time to get him seen.for other possibilities.  

Good Luck

Answer 3

Sounds like he just has a virus. If his ears were clear then there is a possibilty that he could have an infection. Normally a teething related fever is low such as 99-101.  I would definitely have it looked into. You could also ask the doctor about alternating between tylenol and motrin. I prefer motrin since it lasts longer and brings a fever down faster.  

Answer 4

The highest that Connor's has gotten due to teething is 100.9.  He has 2 little white bumps in the front and they are trying hard to come in as I type this.  Some babies can handle the teething pain better than others.  I hope you find the answer soon and I hope he feels better.    

Answer 5

Teething fevers are low grade at best...which should be 99 to 100...101 on the outside.  If he's creeping up to 102.5, he has a virus or an infection.

With the ear pulling and a fever like that I'm going to say that he probably has a double ear infection.

An ear infection could crop up in a day or two, so just becuase there wasn't fluid a few days ago, doesn't mean the ears aren't irritated and by now...infected.

For the fever, if I thought it was a virus, I'd let it ride WITHOUT tylenol during the day as long as the child was comfortable...becuase a fever is the body's natural way of killing bugs....if you don't allow the body to reach a high enough temperature to kill the bugs naturally...you're just delaying the healing....

FOR AN INFECTION however, I would take him in to verify the cause of the fever and then administer whatever antibiotics they prescribe and in the mean time, I have found that tepid baths work great to lower the fever and to make baby more comfortable.  Let baby run around in a diaper and not much else and keep pushing clear cool fluids. And I have found that Motrin seems to be more effective at holding down fevers than tylenol.

I've had run ins with a couple of nasty viruses that spiked fevers of 103 and 104 for a course of 3 to 4 days, and since they were viruses...there wasn't anything a doctor could do anyway...so sometimes...you just need the doctor to verify that that is what you're dealing with...and then you just have to ride it out...but a doctor visit is definately needed to determine what it is you're dealing with here.  

Good Luck

Answer 6

That doesn't sound right to me. Lucy has just cut her first tooth and there was no fever for her.

I have read it is considered a common symptom but I have also read that most doctors are hesitant to accept the link between teething and fever as they don't want anything more serious being overlooked.

I'd definitely seek another opinion

Answer 7

That doesn't seem normal for teething.  My youngest did develop a very low grade fever and runny nose while teething, seemed like a cold, but when the toothed popped up, all symptoms were gone like magic.  I would call the DR. again if I were you.

Answer 8

http://www.babyslumber.com/articles/baby...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2300565_treat-fe...

Above are some articles that may help you understand a little more. You know, I really think something else is going on with him. If the fever was caused by teething, there should be a break in it and not a constant fever (especially after giving him medicine). If he's pulling on his ears and this is the third day with a fever, I would make sure you can get him into his regular doctor (I've never had any good experience with doctors that aren't my normal doctor). When you took him in earlier this week and they said there was no fluid in his ears, it could've still been too early to detect it. My daughter usually gets a fever BEFORE any other sypmtoms occur, no matter what the problem is. I don't blame you for being concerned and I would be furious with the doctors as well.

I hope you get the answers you need and little Johnny's get better soon!

Answer 9

None of my kids ever ran a fever from teething and not only do I don't believe this actually happens, neither does my doctor.  Even if you do believe that babies get fevers from teething, it would only be low-grade and definitely not up to 102.  At the same time, I don't see a need to go off on the doctor's office.  Even if your little guy has an ear infection, it's entirely possible that it wasn't developed enough to be visible by any doctor during an exam.  My doc always has me take a look inside the kids' ears with his instrument so I can see what he sees.  And, one thing to keep in mind, antibiotics are no longer considered the must have for an ear infection anyway.  A lot of doctors prefer the wait and see approach because we have learned that they can resolve themselves and overuse of antibiotics has contributed to their ineffectiveness.  Of course, the younger your child is, the more likely that antibiotics will still be the first choice.  Best of luck.