Q: My child has a sudden fever of 38.7°C with only a mild runny nose. What could be the cause?

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Question:

My child has a fever but no major symptoms like a severe cough. They rested well during the holidays and went back to daycare on Friday. The only thing I noticed is an occasional runny nose (not constant like a typical cold). This afternoon, my child's body felt warm, and tonight the temperature went over 38.5°C and kept rising. I just gave them a fever reducer at 38.7°C. What could be the cause? We are planning to see a doctor tomorrow.

Answer:

You must be worried because your child has a fever with almost no other symptoms. If the fever started after attending daycare, there are several possibilities.

Possible causes in the current situation:

• Early viral infection - Fever often appears first, followed by other symptoms 1-2 days later.

• Urinary tract infection (UTI) - Especially in girls, there may be no distinct symptoms other than a fever.

• Roseola (Exanthema subitum) - High fever lasts for 3-4 days, followed by a skin rash as the fever drops.

• Otitis media (Ear infection) - Young children who cannot express ear pain may only present with a fever.

Things to observe tonight:

→ Remeasure the body temperature 1 hour after giving the fever reducer.

→ Check their fluid intake and urine output.

→ Look out for unusual fussiness or lethargy.

→ Notice if the child is repeatedly touching their ears or shaking their head.

Make sure to mention these during tomorrow's clinic visit:

• Prevalent infectious diseases currently spreading at the daycare.

• The child's response to the fever reducer.

• The highest body temperature recorded overnight.

• Any changes in the color and odor of their urine.

⚠️ Go to the emergency room immediately if:

- A fever of 39.5°C or higher persists.

- The fever reducer has absolutely no effect.

- The child shows a decrease in consciousness or has a seizure.

- The child has not urinated for more than 8 hours.

How old is your child? I can provide you with more specific advice depending on their exact age.

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

https://fevercoach.us