My poor son is sick. Any nurses out there?

[jackiedon]

Kristyne,

Tylenol never really works with my kids. Motrin does much better with my kids but thats just with my kids. With viruses like this the fever will spike up at night or it always did/does with my kids. It just makes them feel so bad. I remember a few years ago my now 11 yr old had fever and she had a fever. She felt so bad and she came to me crying asking me "Momma am I going to die?" I held her assuring her she would be fine. I was fighting back the tears.

I hope all of you don't get sick.

jackie

 

[wendy]

how is your son today? just checking on him!

 

[missusduray]

Well Rileys fever broke lastnight so I think that the worst is behind us. He seems to be doing better today. He is eating and I am making him rest.
I am tired but I feel ok. I sure hope that this junk is behind us.
Kristyne

 

[jackiedon]

I'm glad he is feeling better.

Now YOU get some rest!!!!


jackie

 

[chickonaroost]

I know you've had several nurses already reply. I guess I'd like to reinterate...as an ER nurse I see frantic parents everyday putting their children through unnecessary bloodwork and paying for unecessary ER bills etc. due to a lack of knowledge, so I guess this should be more like a public service announcement.

Fever is the body's way of fighting infection-viral or bacterial.

Most doctors don't even suggest medicating fevers under 101.5.

Feed a cold, starve a fever still holds true. Food is not that important if the child doesn't feel like eating for a day or two. Fluids ARE important. Clear fluids only if vomiting...ie jello, sprite, gatorade, tea, pedialyte, popscicles...in small amounts frequently. BUT if the child persistently vomits, watch how much they pee. A healthy infant should have atleast 6-8 wet diapers a day. A child should pee atleast 4 times a day. Less urine output is a sign of dehydration. So is a lack of tears, sunken eyes or dry lips/tongue.

Most fevers are not an emergency, unless accompanied by seizures, or those that exceed 103 despite REGULAR doses of tylenol and/or motrin.

The most effective way to treat stubborn fevers is this: Motrin and tylenol can be alternated every 3 hours...ie tylenol at 12, motrin at 3, tylenol at 6, motrin at 9....etc, so the tylenol doses are 6 hours apart, as are the motrin doses, but one or the other are being given BEFORE the first one wears off.

A child will be tired, grumpy, cry, have body aches, chill, and be generally miserable. Think of how you feel when you have a fever. Let them rest, offer them plenty of fluids and medicate their fever.

DO NOT "sweat the fever out". This is a wives tale I hear everyday, when parents bring their child in to the ER with a temp of 103 wrapped in a blanket, hat, mittens etc. All you are doing is cooking your child. (think baked potato wrapped in foil).

And lastly, your family doctor-or his associates- are always on call. Your local hospital (the one in which they have privledges) can page the doctor for you day or night. Page them if you are concered. If they too are concerned by what you have told them, they will instruct you to go to the ER.
I hope this info is helpful to you in the future.
Lisa

 

[missusduray]

Lisa,
Thanks so much. That is very useful info. I agree that bundeling a sweaty kid is not the answer. I let Riley sleep in his underwear lastnight. He was only sleeping with a sheet on and he was sweaty but his fever wasnt that high so I figured that i would leave him alone. He is feeling much better today.

Thanks so much to everyone for all your advice and well wishes. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful group!
Kristyne

 

[chickensoup]

Hi,
Seems like with a Pediatric nurse and an ER nurse all the good stuff is covered. Glad for that. When he wants something to eat have you ever tried pealing and freezing banannas? They come out just yummy. Tastes like they would have before they went in the freezer, texture is exactly like a popcicle. I was an RN, orthopedics, and the liquids are one of the most important things. Good advice about checking how much they pee. Good indicator of having pleanty of fluids. Glad he is doing a little better.
Another good liquid that realy does heal is chicken soup. The Scientific American magazine even came out with an article years ago about why. But, it does help. Good luck.

 

[missusduray]

Well, Riley is on the mend!! I am feeling much better too. I dont know what we had, but I am glad that it is gone!!
Kristyne

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

I guess everyone's catching it, huh? I'm just now getting over something similar, I came down with it late late Friday night, and I had all of the same symptoms. Today I'm just a bit lightheaded and my throat still hurts, but I've been taking tylenol, and ibuprofen, and NyQuil [he's too young to take that, I know.]. I took frequent warm showers, and ate ice chips like no tomorrow. Don't force him to eat, offer him some chicken broth or a little bit of hot soup. Will he drink hot tea? Try to get him to sleep as much as possible and he should be over it in a few days. Good luck.