fever39.5

[josephkennedy]

my infant is 1year 8months and has had a fever for 20 hours now with recent temperature of 39.5. What should i do?

[demtlard]

Ummmm 39.5C?  Isn't it time you take him/her to see a doctor?

[josephkennedy]

temperature wal not so high earlier, she is sleeping as it is 1am here in Lima and we are visiting from the UK. Dificault to do anything now till the morning, any advice?Are you qualified?

[demtlard]

My concern is if you don't get the fever under control the child could suffer permanent ear damage.  I cannot remember the time frame, but I have a brother in law who who now uses sign language because he can't hear due to a parent who did not take the child to a doctor when having a high fever. Now I am not sure how long it would take to impair the hearing, maybe  Dr. Enoch Choi could share that information?

39.5C is over 103F that is very high.  Are their any hospital ER's open at 1am? I think you would be best advised to at least call the hospital and get their opinion on what you should do.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

even at 2am in Lima, Peru, there are emergency services available at the hospital.  after 2 days of high fever, many complications are possible, and it's important to reduce the temperature, preferrably by treating the reason for it, as well as give tylenol and ibuprofen to lower the temperature.  Don't give asprin in case it's the flu.

[josephkennedy]

I have been giving medised which has been working well but wanted to know at what point to act further. Should i consider it an emergency and go at 2am for help? I didn't but went anyway and now have some antibiotics (amoxicillin) for what was diagnosed as a throat infection.

[demtlard]

So you went to the ER or not? It appears you did, and I am glad that you did, persistent high fever can cause a number of problems.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

glad that you went to the ER and got antibiotics.  even if it's a virus, you've eliminated the risk of a bacterial infection causing the symptoms

[josephkennedy]

Was quilte concerened at that moment, first child, first illness, in a foriegn place not famed for it's health care, but all seems better now.
Antibiotics seem to be working and Charlotte is a lot better now. Thanks

[demtlard]

Sure, I understand that very clearly.  I am glad to hear all is better, and glad you did go to the ER.  Take care!

[Enoch Choi, MD]

thank God.  have a great trip!