What Causes Intermittent Fever In A 1 Year Old?

Posted on Mon, 17 Aug 2015

Question: Hi. My 1 year old son has high fever since yesterday. It comes down and then again go high till 102 F. We consulted pediatrician and he suggested paracetamol and ibugesic if fever does not come down. Fever does not come down after it reaches 102F even after giving paracetamol. So I had to give ibugesic twice since yesterday 2.5 ml each time. I am worried as he is almost continuously having fever at least around 100F.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like viral illness - Don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.

Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness.

Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day.

If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all.

Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.

Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

I was giving him Sumo-L in every 6 hour and then realized that the fever was not coming down. Then I gave him ibugesic . Doctor suggested that the Ibugesic's dosage should be given in 8 hour interval,but the fever is not going down and continuously increasing.

Please suggest what can be done in this situation?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Recommendations on fever control

Detailed Answer:
Hi....

1. Check the temperature every 4th hourly only. Not before that. If you check frequently, as parents you may become more anxious and panicky.
2. You can give paracetamol only 4th hourly once not before that.
3. If the fever starts raising before the due dose of paracetamol, do cold sponging.
4. Cold sponging - use normal room temperature water, wipe the while body with a clean cloth. Sometimes while doing so, the kid may shiver due to lowering of body temperature, do not panic.
5. You can do cold sponging as frequently as possible.
6. Sometimes some kids may have seizures at the height of temperature, if that happens, put the kid in one of the side positions so that evrnvif he vomits it will come out and not get aspirated. Take him to nearest emergency room.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (12 hours later)

thanks doctor. In general, how much time does it take for fever to come down. Currently it is fluctuating between 100 and 102 only. Is it normal?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Usually viral illness may last 4-7 days/ individual fever spikes 2-3 hours

Detailed Answer:
Hi...usually any viral illness may last 4-7 days.

Regarding individual fever spikes, it may take 2-3 hours for the fever to come down once it reaches peak.

This fluctuation of 100-1032 is normal. What is most important than height of fever is the activity of the kid when the fever is touching normal. When there is fever everybody or any kid will be very dull, but the if the kid is active when the fever is touching normal then you need not worry. Because that is more important.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below -
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E