Q: My 13-month-old has a persistent high fever from Rhinovirus. Should we do more tests?
- Myeongchan Kim
- 19 hours ago
- 3 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:
Hello doctor. I am writing because my 13-month-old baby has had a persistent fever since Thursday. It started at 38°C on Thursday morning and went up to 40°C. Regular fever-reducing syrups didn't work, so we visited the hospital on Friday. They did a urine test, a nasal swab, and a blood test, and only Rhinovirus came back positive. Even IV fluids didn't bring the fever down, so we spent two days getting IV fluids and fever-reducing injections. Now the intervals between fevers have gotten longer, but the temperature just hit 38°C again. I don't want to wake my sleeping baby right now. Should we get any additional tests done? Can Rhinovirus cause such a high fever? There is no runny nose or cough, though the doctor mentioned the throat was slightly swollen during the examination.
Answer:
Hello. I understand how worried you must be seeing your 13-month-old baby struggle with a high fever since Thursday. It must have been very stressful, especially since the fever reached 40°C and was hard to control even with IV fluids and injections.
While Rhinovirus typically causes common cold symptoms, it is actually quite common for it to cause high fevers of 38-40°C that last for 3 to 5 days in young babies. The slightly swollen throat your doctor noted could also be contributing to the higher temperature.
Current Assessment:
The fact that the intervals between fever spikes are getting longer is a very positive sign.
The fever peaking at 38°C rather than 40°C suggests your baby may be entering the recovery phase.
It is relatively common for babies to have a fever from a viral infection without other prominent symptoms like a runny nose or cough.
When to Revisit the Doctor Immediately:
If the fever lasts for more than 5 days.
If the temperature spikes back up to 40°C and remains high.
If your baby refuses fluids entirely or has not passed urine for more than 8 hours.
If your baby appears unusually lethargic, unresponsive, or difficult to wake up.
If your baby exhibits fast or difficult breathing.
What You Can Do Now:
Ensure sufficient hydration: Offer breastmilk, formula, or water frequently in small amounts when the baby is awake.
Keep the baby comfortable: Dress them in light, breathable clothing and maintain a comfortable room temperature (around 24-26°C).
Use fever reducers based on comfort: You only need to give fever-reducing medication if the baby is clearly uncomfortable or in pain, rather than just treating the number on the thermometer.
Track the fever: Continue to record the times and temperatures of the fever spikes to monitor the trend.
You only need to consider additional tests if the fever persists for more than 5 days or if new, concerning symptoms develop. For now, if your baby is sleeping peacefully, there is no need to wake them. Let them rest, and closely observe their overall condition and hydration levels once they wake up. Please consult your pediatrician for a follow-up evaluation if the fever continues beyond the 5-day mark or if your baby's condition worsens.
For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.
