Q: My 4-year-old daughter has had a fever for 2 weeks. Should we go to a major hospital?

Myeongchan Kim
1 day ago
2 min read

Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD

Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Question:

My 4-year-old daughter has been sick and having a fever for two weeks. Initially, she had a severe cough and a runny nose. Now, her cough and runny nose have improved to just mild symptoms, but her fever is lasting much longer than expected. She consistently has a temperature around 38.2°C. For the first five days, her fever was over 39°C, and since then it has hovered around 38.5°C. When we visited our local clinic, the doctor said it wasn't pneumonia but mentioned she had a mild ear infection. Because the fever won't go away, should we take her to a larger hospital?

Answer:

Hello. It is completely understandable that you are very worried about your daughter's prolonged fever.

A fever lasting for two weeks in a 4-year-old is longer than the typical course of a common cold and definitely requires further medical evaluation. The fact that she experienced a high fever of over 39°C for the first five days and continues to have a persistent fever around 38.2°C to 38.5°C is a situation that needs closer medical attention.

A fever persisting for more than two weeks might not be a simple viral cold, even with a mild ear infection present. Additional diagnostics, such as blood and urine tests, are necessary to pinpoint the exact cause of the prolonged fever. A medical professional will need to run these tests to rule out other potential underlying conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or Kawasaki disease, which can sometimes present with extended fevers.

I strongly recommend visiting a pediatric department at a larger medical center or university hospital as soon as possible. When you go, please bring a detailed record of her daily temperatures and a timeline of how her symptoms have changed over the past two weeks.

Please take her to the emergency room immediately if you notice any of the following:

• She suddenly becomes extremely lethargic, weak, or unresponsive.

• A new rash appears or begins to spread across her body.

• She experiences any difficulty breathing or complains of chest pain.

I hope you get some clear answers soon and that your little one recovers quickly!