Q: My child has a high fever of 39°C, continuous yellow vomiting, and extreme lethargy. What should I do?

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 a fever and is continuously vomiting. Yesterday evening, they ate dinner and then went to the clinic for a scheduled test. They might have been nervous, because they ended up vomiting all night.

Currently, their temperature is 39°C. They keep asking for water because they are thirsty, but they throw up even after just drinking water. The vomit is a bright yellow color. I didn't want to give them medication on an empty stomach, and they are extremely lethargic, just wanting to sleep all the time. What should I do?

Update: I briefly woke them up, fed them a little bit of porridge, and gave a fever reducer at 1 PM. The fever dropped slightly to 38.7°C, but I am still very worried and need help.

Answer:

It sounds like your child is having a very difficult time. The combination of continuous vomiting, high fever, and signs of dehydration is highly concerning.

Based on your description, here is an evaluation of the current situation:

• Vomiting continuously for over 12 hours (the bright yellow color indicates they are throwing up bile).

• Unable to keep even water down.

• High fever of 39°C combined with severe lethargy and sleepiness.

• Strong warning signs of severe dehydration.

You need to take your child to the Emergency Room immediately. When these symptoms present together, it is dangerous, and your child likely requires intravenous (IV) fluid therapy to recover safely. Before you go, please write down the approximate times they vomited and the exact time of their last wet diaper or urination to share with the medical staff.

While on your way to the ER, please follow these steps:

1. Do not force-feed: Do not force them to eat or drink anything else right now.

2. Protect the airway: Lay the child on their side to prevent choking in case they vomit again.

3. Monitor: Continue to check and record their temperature.

Even though the fever dropped slightly after taking the fever-reducing medication, the continuous vomiting and high risk of dehydration absolutely require immediate, in-person medical treatment. Please seek emergency medical care right away.

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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