Is it normal for a toddler to have an on and off again fever for 12 days in a row?

Question

I have a 16 month old who every time he teethes has gotten fevers, diaper rash, and a runny nose. After a few times getting to know the symptoms I quit taking him to the doctor, but this time around the on and off again fever has lasted 12 days. I have taken him to the doctor 3 times, the first i was told it was nothing, so assumed it was teething, then took him again a few days later to hear it was viral. After 10 days of this I took him again to get a urinalysis and blood work done, and was told nothing showed up. His doctor did prescribe an antibiotic this time which we started yesterday. I feel like I'm getting him addicted to ibuprofen, the tylenol rarely kicks his fever, and at this point I'm clueless as to what i should do. I am an overprotective single mommy to my little guy, and I'm scared that I'm missing something. Could he really be teething this long? Is it normal for a child to have such fevers (ranging from 100-103deg) for so long.

Answer 1

This is quite common. Also it could be that he is getting one viral infections after another on top of the which worsens the fever. Antibiotics will do nothing for a viral infection. Antibiotics are overprescribed. It is possible that he might have a sinus infection?

If this continue even after the antibiotics I would take him back because it may be a more serious disease or condition that needs to be looked at. Is he running a 103 most of the time? That doesn't sound normal to me. Low grade fever up to 100 with teething yes.  

Answer 2

Hey, I have been going thru this with my son for a few months. Teething causes cold-like symptoms. I would suggest this. Start giving him tylenol/motrin every 5 to 6 hours thru-out the day. If he goes to daycare, then make them do it too. Teething is a very painful experience for babies. Their gums hurt, they run fever, they can't eat, can't sleep, it's just a miserable thing. Also, I would go to your local pharmacy and get "all natural Teething Tablets". Hopefully that will get him in a better mood, where he can start getting better. Good luck.  

Answer 3

I really don'tt like the sound of little ones running fevers constantly.

What are the exact readings?  Sometimes a low grade fever like 99.0 is okay.  Fever actually is how our body responds to fight off things so in a way it is a good thing, however you never want a fever to remain over 101.00 for long periods of time because high fevers can be very serious.  You alsodon'tt want to keep giving them Motrin or Tylenol because large doses are not good for their tummy.  I do prefer Motrin over Tylenol though for fevers.  Just continue to check the readings, and I have even had to put my child in kind of a cool tub of water, to bring the core temp down not cold just kind of chilly because it does not feel good and if you do it gradually place them in the water and stay with them it only needs to be maybe about 10 min and you may have to repeat it.  Make a game out of it.  Watch for fever blisters on their mouth and keep the child hydrated with water or pedialyte.  IHopep this helps.  But never let a doctor feel like you are bothering them by showing up and if your gut tells you to call a doc or go to the hopsital by all means GO!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I think my doctor would have done the same thing.  If the blood work showed nothing, and he is giving him an antibiotic, there is really nothing you can do but wait it out.  If it is an infection, he will get better in a few days, if it is viral, it has to run its course.  I would like to bet the antibiotic makes him better though.  Maybe he has a sinus infection or something that the doctor can't see.

Answer 5

let me put this as mildly as i could.

[to not worry you, just something that has happened.]

i have a brother who's also a toddler and about maybe 2 years ago,

he got sick and wasn't eating had HIGH temps,

and tylenol wasn't helping so at first for TEN FFREAKIN DAYS

the doctors said it wsas nothing just a virus.

man those were bad months...

so we went to family doctor in morning, and emergency at night.

for like 10 days.

then they said it was aviral infedction; then kidney problem.

finally he went to the hospital.

for a long time but long story short he came out okay but...

the doctors AT A FREAKINN hospital SUCKEDDD.

he was blazinn hot and they said he had normal temp.

yeah anyways doctors suck.

you should go to an old doctor thats a woman in her old years whos more of an old tradition doctor.

dont give him tylenol until he doesnt have such high temps,

much tylenol causes liver damage and possible failure

ANYWAY give him antibiotics.

and get a cream to help him.

good luck && GOD BLESS. xox.

Answer 6

he won't stop teething until all of his teeth grow in and fevers are normal when teething but I would still bring him to his doctor just to make sure there is nothing else wrong with your son. when my daughter was teething she got fevers but they always went away after I gave her tylenol

Answer 7

It could indeed be teething because sometimes they have there big teeth that take longer to come in. I would also suggest that you maybe take him to another doctor just to get a second opinion. I know that sometimes when a mother seems to overprotected the doctors just ignore what we are saying. I had the same problem and once we changed doctors my son was well and everything I asked and worried about was checked. I would see if he improves with the antibiotic and if not then get a second opinion. Good luck.

Answer 8

I'm with you:  something doesn't seem right.  Take him back to the doctor because I've never heard of a fever that comes and goes for 12 days and runs as high as 103 degrees.

I don't want to scare you, but my mother's intuition is going off just like yours.  I am the mother of 4 boys ranging in age from 11 years to 20 months and none of them has ever had a fever like the one you described.  They did get fevers with their teeth, but none that high or that came and went like that.  

Follow your gut - mother's intuition is a powerful tool if we know how to use it.  Good luck and I hope your little man gets well soon.