Urgent -- need advise for fever!

[Michelle Meyers]

My three year old son has had a fever for three days and is acting tired and sick. He was prescribed antibiotics for slightly red ears and red throat. I have given him two doses of it and he HATES it. I DO NOT want to give him anymore! I went to Whole Foods and got an Elderberry syrup and Garlic Oil ear drops. Am I crazy for not giving him what was prescribed? Will he get better on his own? He still has a fever today...it's about 102.

[Pat Robinson]

Michelle, we can not give medical advice. But here is some information about Children and Fevers.

 

Be sure to read "Fever in Children - A Blessing in Disguise".

 

This is a copy of a recent post of mine regarding ear infections and immune system.

 

Diary intolerance is the number one cause of fluid build up in ears.

"In one study an astonishing 86% of the children tested became free of ear problems once they came off dairy food."
http://www.safekids.co.uk/EarProblemsAndAllergies.html
http://www.healthychild.com/ear-infe...ternatives.htm
http://www.femail.com.au/ear-infections-truestar.htm

 

Pat

[Laurie Neverman]

Michelle - without being there to look him over, it's hard to evaluate the situation entirely.  As Pat said, we can't give direct medical advice.  Rest and hydration are typically two big things to watch out for. 

 

My mom used to heat up pillows in the oven when I was a kid and put the warmed pillow on my sore ear.  A microwavable hot pack would be safer and more convenient (she accidentally set the pillow on fire once).

 

Fevers are a natural response as the body tries to heal itself.  I cooling shower or bath or cool compress on the forehead might make your little one more comfortable.

[Laurie Neverman]

Michelle - here's some more ideas:

 

Slippery Elm

The inner bark of the Slippery Elm, when mixed with water, it becomes a slick gel. This gel is rich with antioxidants and coats your throat, stomach lining and intestines.

Herbal Tea

Making a tea from the herb echinacea may help fight the common cold. Goldenseal tea helps treat respiratory tract infections, eye infections and even yeast infections. Hot ginger or elderberry tea can help soothe a
sore throat.

Honey

If you have a sore throat, try gargling with a honey mixture.

Nasal Saline Rinse

A natural nasal saline irrigates your nose and helps clear thick mucus and relieve pressure from your sinuses.

Steam

Steam can moisturize your nasal passages and will help the pressure from your sinuses.

White and Cider Vinegar

Wearing a pair of cotton socks soaked in white vinegar is an old, natural remedy that is still used today to reduce a fever.

White Willow

White willow is a natural anti-inflammatory and fever reducing remedy.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup has been medically proven to help cure a cold or fever. It is most effective if the soup is made with actual chicken bones in the broth.

Garlic

Here's one folk remedy to cure a cough or chest cold -- chop raw pieces of garlic and mix it with olive oil. Let the mixture sit for a half hour, and then rub the mixture on the bottoms of your feet and
cover with socks. The garlic will be absorbed by your skin.

Ginseng

Ginseng can help cure a cold or the flu, as well as prevent future colds if taken as a daily supplement.

Sources:

 
WPHL December 2010

[Michelle Meyers]

I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner to this post...as you can imagine life gets in the way!

 

My son ended up fighting the virus with his fever going up to 104 most of the time. He had the fever for five days and he REFUSED to take any tylenol or motrin (looking back I'm glad he didn't). He woke up the sixth morning fever free and I had scheduled a doctor's appt that morning (Christmas eve). We were going to get a chest xray but didn't have to! I wish I would have trusted his body to fight it himself without trying to "fix" him. Thanks so much for all your replies and support!

[Laurie Neverman]

So glad he pulled out of it without severe intervention being needed!  Thanks for letting us know that he is okay.

 

Laurie

Michelle Meyers said:

I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner to this post...as you can imagine life gets in the way!

 

My son ended up fighting the virus with his fever going up to 104 most of the time. He had the fever for five days and he REFUSED to take any tylenol or motrin (looking back I'm glad he didn't). He woke up the sixth morning fever free and I had scheduled a doctor's appt that morning (Christmas eve). We were going to get a chest xray but didn't have to! I wish I would have trusted his body to fight it himself without trying to "fix" him. Thanks so much for all your replies and support!