High fever (>39degrees) for 5 weeks+. Anyone else?

[MummyBerryJuice]

DS who is 11 months old is entering his 5th week of spiking high temperatures in the late afternoon and again at around 2am. He has had a streaming nose intermittently and at one stage a cough that made him bring up all his feeds. His appetite has now improved but was dismal before a course of antibiotics 2 weeks ago.

Nights are awful but the days ok, he is lively and cheery enough (even if a bit clingy. But then that may be separation anxiety) and is even starting to walk.

I know someone else (online) that has a similar situation with his 17month old but has been struggling for 7 weeks!

Has anyone else experienced something similar or are there any paeds around that can shed some light? Should I be pushing for more investigations or just take heart?

He is still breastfed n

What does your gp say?

He's been thrice and each time they he has been unconcerned really. Looks like an URTI each time prescribed Antibios on the third visit that did seem to help by it was emperic really as no evidence of affecting ears/throat/chest etc.

I wouldn't be happy if it had been going on this long. Is there another gp you could see? After this length of time i would ask for referral to a paediatrician.

If you have a particularly bad night you could take him to A and E for a more thorough check while his temp is high.

Definitely get him checked out. Either he keeps on getting infection after infection or it's something more serious. It's not normal for a child (or adult) to have a high fever for 5 weeks non stop.

We live MILES away from the closest hospital (rural North Yorks) and I know the hospital A&E set up very well and TBH wouldn't reall want one of the juniors there to see him at night as they'll just admit and I don't think he needs it at this stage.

It hasn't been non stop really (there was about a week since the start of the antibiotic that he was fever free)

That makes the hospital trip difficult. I'd definitely stamp my feet for a referral if gp is unable to help. Hope he is better soon. It might be worth finding out if a urine sample would be of any use before your next appointment n see if you can get him to sit on the potty long enough to perform.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kawasaki-disease/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
This is the main nasty with unremitting high fevers, so check the symptoms. Without a rash it is unlikely to be the above and to be honest apart from the fevers sounds more like piggy back viruses or an undetected infection. Ears/chest/urine? It may just be a case of sitting it out.

Thank you. I think I will take him back tomorrow and request a referral. They are quite good about referring in tue practises really. (Deep down I do think that it is probably 'piggy-back' viruses but it is really starting to worry me.

If it is any comfort my DS (13 months) has had a similar cold/cough thing with temperature from time to time for at least 5 weeks now. Like yours he is fine in the day but he is a bit grouchy first / last thing in the day and sleep a bit disturbed.

This winter I think that there are just some horrid virus that stick around and are really hard to shake. Sadly antibiotics won't do anything for a virus (which could be why he hasn't improved) and you'll just need to wait it out.

If you are still concerned though you are doing the right thing. You know when your child isn't right and nothing beats that in terms of diagnosis. Keep pushing if you think he needs to see someone.

Going the GP again today. Problem is, that he seems quite bright and cheery once he's been up for an hour or so. And then I think I'd just be wasting everyone's time.

How did it go today mummyberry?

Thanks for asking Belle. She found some chest signs in R LL and we have another course of antibiotics and a referral to the Paed next week.

After only 24hrs of the amoxil he seems a lo beter already.

Seems, though, that my body has finally succumbed and I feel like I'm coming down with a horrendous cold.

Oh dear poor you. Glad to hear you are getting somewhere though and that DS is starting to feel better.

Look after yourselves.