Preschooler bordering on dehydration???

Question

My preschooler (almost 4) has been battling a high fever since Sunday night and it is now Wednesday. The fever ranges between 101-104.8 depending on when the Motrin wears off. We were at the doctors on Monday and they think it is viral. On Tuesday she started with what appears to be a horrible cold so I think it is all related. My concern though is that she is hardly drinking and has been having very minimal potty runs. She went yesterday at 7:30am, then at 1:00pm and then not again until 7:30 this morning. I'm pushing as much liquids as I can but...Should I call the doctor back again? They said to not let her go more then 8 hours which she definitely did overnight but then she did go this morning. She is deathly afraid of needles which is why I'm concerned about having to get her rehydrated.

Answer 1

I don't know if your ped. told you this but you can alternate every two hours with tylenol and mortirn until the fever breaks and for the dehydration try giving her some pedialyte and stick away from soda it will just cause more problems. My daughter does not have very many potty runs all the time usually 2 - 3 daily because her body uses the liquids quicker then most, so it just depends on what she normally does. As long as she is drinking plenty of fluids and not throwing up or has diarrhea then i say she is fine. I would just keep an eye on her and if you notice she doesn't produce much saliva, tears, or her eye whites look a bluish gray then i would get her checked.

Answer 2

you can try popsicles. kids always like popsicles. Pedialyte makes some, but you can get the ones made from juice. They will also help her if her throat hurts a little.I am sorry she feels so bad, good luck.

Answer 3

have you tried lemonade ice blocks? Whenever my kids get gastro, I allow them to suck on them. Also recommended by the doctor as your child will get alot of liquids from that, and what 4 year old can resist a treat?

I think she will be a ok as even though toilet runs are minimal, they still are there.

Just make sure you keep an eye of the signs of dehydration

    * Dry tongue and dry lips

    * No tears when crying

    * Fewer than six wet diapers per day for infants and no wet diapers for eight hours in toddlers

    * Sunken soft spot on infants

    * Sunken eyes

    * Dry and wrinkled skin

    * Deep, rapid breathing

    * Cool and blotchy hands and feet

Answer 4

I would definatley alternate the tylenol and motrin....but every 3 or 4 hours instead of every 2. My daughter had that viral thing in february and it lasted like 4 days...my hubby was ready to run her to the ER when her fever went to 104 or higher ( I took the thermometer out when it hit 104) but I called the doctor and he told me to give her BOTH the first time to get her high fever down, then start to alternate them every 3 or 4 hours.

as for the dehydration...pedialyte tastes really nasty--even the flavored ones. my son started drinking gatorade when he was sick at like 12-15 months old. They now make one called G2 that has much less sugar in it (like 70 calories per 20 ounces) and has a milder taste. watermelon is a good idea too...it does have LOTS of water in it. what about freezing some gatorade to make a slushy for her to eat?

as a last resort I would sit her down and tell her the facts: she needs X cups of water, juice, G2 a day or she will have to go to the hospital and get a needle in her arm to get the liquids in her. because of her high fever she is drying up and needs more than usual. hopefully her fear of needles will get her to push herself to drink more

Answer 5

how about offering her pieces of watermelon or other fruit with a high water content, so that she has at least some liquid?But I would definitely contact the doctor, just in case. All my best wishes!

Answer 6

I think when it is always a question on deydration its better to be safe then sorry.  I would call your doc just to be on the safe side...

Answer 7

yes definetely call the doctor in the meantime push pedialyte and sugar free popsiciles sugar free help  without causing diarrhea

Answer 8

Call the Dr. I know she's afraid of needles, but the effects of dehydration can be much worse.

Answer 9

yes call them, but also try offering ice-pops or frozen fruit cubes to suck on. you could also get someone to pop out and buy her a brand new cup with her favourite character on and tell her it's a special cup to make her well again and see if she will be amazed enough to drink something from it.

Answer 10

right now getting her hydrated is the most important thing, give her plenty of icypoles and juice or cordial, also ask the doctor if you can give her powerade or gatorade, they are the best for rehydration, i wouldnt bother with the pharmacy brand icypoles, they taste like medicine and kids hate them, you should also make sure she get fresh fruiy and vegies (they conatin water) especially water melon (something like 92% water)!

good luck, my 3 year old just got over the flu and it was horrible, all she drank was flat lemonade and had a bit of frozen melon and dry toast for 3 days, i was worried but she is all better now!