Teething Fever

[embryonichappyperson]

For the past 2 weeks DS2 has been having teething *signs*, then this past week his cheeks have been quite red then the irritability and bad sleep began and then last night he woke up about 9pm with a fever and slept badly.

He then woke up this morning with a 38.1 fever and his been very unhappy all day and I had a look in his mouth this morning and what do ya know a tooth has broken through.

It's his bottom left and from the looks of it the bottom right is not far behind. Poor kid!

Anyway it been nearly 24hrs and he still has a fever, I checked his temp earlier today and it was down to 37.5 again and about an hour ago he woke up pumping with fever heat and then I took him out of his sleeping bag till he cooled down and put him back to bed with out it on.

I'm a bit worried as DS1 didn't get fever or act like DS2 has in regards to teething.

I have given DS2 panadol and I bought some Hylands Teething Tablets to try out.

Should I take him to a GP if he still has a fever tomorrow? :(

[Amara]

I found that the high temps that came with teeth were spiking temps as against steady high temps that would not come down which are more worrisome. Because of this I never took him to the doc for it. His would go to high 39s but come down with panadol.

I found tepid baths or a wet washer did wonders while waiting for the meds to kick in.

[JabberJaw]

Could be a viral infection of some sort.

I would go to the GP just for a check. Especially get bubs ears checked.

[SpecialPatrolGroup]

You sound really worried, so if the fever persists, then I would go to the Dr. I don't have experience with teething...yet, but my friends little boy gets tonsilitis every time he is cutting new teeth, maybe your little one is a bit run down from the strain of teething.

[embryonichappyperson]

You sound really worried, so if the fever persists, then I would go to the Dr. I don't have experience with teething...yet, but my friends little boy gets tonsilitis every time he is cutting new teeth, maybe your little one is a bit run down from the strain of teething.
Yeah his temp comes down with panadol. It hasn't reached 39 but 38.1 this morning made me thing whoa!

I did read up on tepid baths in regards to teething and he just cried the whole time so I washed him and got him out. He just wants to be carried and then his fine poor thing. My arm is like spaghetti now lol.


maybe your little one is a bit run down from the strain of teething.

That could be something to think about too. It's been slowly going on for a month or so and then the last few days has seen it all pick up and then his first tooth has finally popped through.

He has also had a growth spurt recently so that probably put strain on him as when he has a growth spurt he gets really out of sorts.

[Amara]

38.1 is not anything to worry about. My doc says you shouldnt even give them panadol until it goes over 38.
Its high 39s or 40's where it gets a bit tricky.

If you think its something else get bub checked out.

Teethng tablets worked well for us for settling but they dont stop high temps.
My son had temps with about half of his teeth coming through so after the first time I relaxed a bit more about it.

[c38]

Afraid I go along with what most Drs will tell you... ie that there is nothing about teeth breaking through gums that would cause ongoing fever. It is more likely that he has a viral infection that is making him more sensitive to the discomfort

If he is drinking at least 3/4 of normal, having wet nappies, and has periods where he is awake alert and interested in his surroundings I wouldnt worry too much.

Please don't give your bubs tepid baths for fever.. it cools the skin, which in turn makes the brain think it is cold so can actually lead to the temo going higher. Management of fever is stripping off to light clothing...ie out of sleeping bags etc...but not stripping off so far that they are shivering..if they shiver, then put a layer back on (shivering again increases temp) Offer frequent fluids/extra water and only give Paracetomol if they seem really uncomfy and unsettled or if the temp is over 38.5 (some Drs even say 39/40+) A temperature is actually the body's way of fighting infection so unless bubs is really uncomfortable (eg with an ear infection), then it's often best to try and ride it through
http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/factsheets.cfm?doc_id=5200

If you're still worried then it's worth getting bubs checked, espescially if they are quite miseable as they may have an ear infection or something.
Though the story of "red cheeks" followed by the onset of temp and being miserable makes me think he may even have "slap cheek"...which is a virus that gives a red "slapped cheek" appearance, and are often miserable with aches and pains, they often get a blotchy rash on their chest and tummy with it as well. It's usualy a fairly mild illness, and is not thought to be dangerous for bubs, but it's not good for pregnant women to be exposed to it...so maybe keep him away from pregnant friends just in case. My toddler has something resembling it at the moment

http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/slappedj.htm

[embryonichappyperson]

Well all his sleeping in is his nappy and I have placed a light flannelette bunny rug thing over him. His quite hot on the top and his legs and feet are cool.

I took his temp and it was 39.1 then after I gave him a bottle about 10min ago and did the temp again it was 37.5.

I'm going to take him to a GP tomorrow if I can find one that's open.

[Amara]

Good luck finding a doc to get in to. If you mention it is for a bub with temps you should get an appointment.

I meant to say the first couple of times it happened I took him off to the doc cos I felt sure he must be sick with temps that high but by the time he would get to the doc his temp would be normal and I would feel silly for taking him and exposing him to all the germs there. They would check him over and find nothing wrong. On the other hand when he had two viruses at the one time he had no temp at all. Its so hard to work it all out.

Hope it turns out to be nothing.

I also only ever did the tepid bath when it was that or head to the hospital if it went any higher time.