Q: My child has had an unexplained fever for a week despite taking antibiotics. Should we go back to the doctor?

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 child has had an unexplained fever for a week. It started last Tuesday and is still ongoing. At first, the fever spiked once a day, but now it happens two or three times a day. It does go down when I give them fever reducers. We visited the hospital recently where they did a blood test and an X-ray, which they said were mostly normal. They mentioned there is some inflammation in the lungs, but it is not pneumonia, and the flu test was negative. My child is currently taking antibiotics, but the fever continues. We went to the doctor a few days ago; should we go back for another visit today?

Answer:

I completely understand how worried and frustrated you must be, especially since the fever has lasted for a week and the initial tests did not show any major issues.

Based on your description, here is an assessment of the current situation: your child has a recurrent fever for 7 days, mild lung inflammation, normal blood and X-ray results, and the fever is persisting despite antibiotic treatment.

This specific pattern suggests a few different possibilities:

1. Viral infection: Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, which would explain why the medication isn't clearing the fever.

2. Atypical pneumonia: Such as a Mycoplasma infection, which sometimes requires a different type of antibiotic.

3. Kawasaki disease: This must always be considered when a child has a fever lasting 5 days or longer.

Seek Immediate Medical Care if you observe any of the following symptoms:

• Red, cracked lips or a "strawberry-like" tongue

• Swelling or rashes on the hands and feet

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

• Bloodshot eyes

• Extreme lethargy, lack of energy, or shortness of breath

Recommendation:

I strongly recommend taking your child in for another doctor's visit today. A fever lasting more than 7 days requires further medical evaluation, and delaying care could postpone necessary treatment. During your visit, you may want to ask the pediatrician if additional blood tests or a urine test are needed. Finding the exact cause of a prolonged fever is crucial. In particular, Kawasaki disease requires early intervention, so please ensure your child receives a thorough in-person evaluation promptly.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

fevercoach.us

Apple App Store

Google Play

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