Sorry for stupid question but can teething cause babies to have a fever?

[Jacksmama]

I feel like a thicko asking this because I've got a fair but of medical knowledge, but this is my first and since I've had him I've found out that a lot of what I know is very theoretical .

So - can teething cause fever?
DS (13 months) is cutting the top right molar - it's just broken through the gum today and he's had a fever since yesterday. Also runny nose and drooling.

I tried to look it up in Dr. Sears' baby book but the esteemed Dr. S says a) nothing about fever and teething and b) that teething doesn't cause a runny nose, that it must be a cold in that case. (Bullsh*t.)
So my faith in him has been somewhat shaken.

DS has so far sailed through cutting his other 6 teeth with only minimal upset and fussing. So far only the frontal incisors bothered him a bit.
And DH has had a rotten cold the last few days, which makes me wonder.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Yes, most definitely. Although not sure the runny nose would be teeth related - so it's possible he has a bit of a cold as well.

The drooling is deffo teething, and mine has been hot every time a tooth was making its way - so much so that I have almost stopped worrying about it! HTH

After several incidents of this I asked my HV. She looked shiftily around and then muttered, 'I'm not supposed to say this, but in my experience, yes it does happen'. You won't find it in medical books or baby manuals as it's not current belief. But it does happen.

Yes they can. Not really called 'fever' though. My dd is sufferent atm. drooling, temp, runny nose, blocked nose too, chesty.

I know it may sound like its not related but she gets it everytime she teeths. the same thing. I also have the medical knowledge.

It so annoys me how all the health professionals emphatically say that teething does not cause fever, runny noses etc - it's so obviously not true. My DS has without fail with every tooth (and he has 16) had an on and off moderate temperature (sometimes quite high even) accompanied by a terribly runny nose and phlemby (sp?) chest. I guess that in their defence they can't say that it does as parents would dismiss such symptoms every time as teething when it in fact could be something more serious.

True snooch. Its teething to the HV so it dont matter.

Not the same as a fever proper - they get hot and clammy and the ears and jaw hurt, possible head aches but teething doesn't cause high fevers like an infection does no.

Ok, so next question: WHY do babies run a temp when teething??

I'd hazard a guess that its to do with the body trying to cope with the pain and whatever natural coping mechanisms the body has. Before DS I used to get bad monthly cramps and I would run a temp with it!

A temp below 38'C is a way of your body trying to cope with things thats why if thier temp goes over 38'C then you have to contact Doc, cause its most likely an infection/virus.

yes without a doubt above 37.7 degrees is a fever bella donna 200c [homeopathy] or calpol [no sugar] will reduce it

Well, this morning I'm really wondering if DS is ill rather than teething - still has a temp (38 C), lots of snot, he's very unhappy and clingy... but then at times cheerful and smiling, wants lots of boobie, or his sippy cup of water and apple juice, sticking his finger in his mouth and gnawing on it, or on the velcro strap of an old shoe of his...

[scratching head emoticon]

What's really bad is that he's home with DH because I had to go to work . DH is a lovely dad and more than capable but I hated leaving him!!!!

That sounds like ill ill to me....

There should be some way to tell the difference!!! Wish he could talk and tell me... poor little muffin.

They are generally more prone to illness when teething and from what you say I think crushwitheyeliner is right .... sounds poorly to me. Calpol and lots of fluids. Hope better soon x

Thank you. Just talked to DH at home and he said no change - clingy one minute, happy the next, still feels v. warm.

Will take him to GP's tomorrow if not better.

I found the answer everyone to the 2nd Q:WHY do babies run a temp when teething??

"Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will "reset" the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body's way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them."

find out more...

Jacksmama check it out.

My DS had his first febrile convulsion at 15mos when his bottom tooth broke through.
They could find nothing else wrong with him, even did urine test to see if he had an infection.
He also used to get an exzema like rash on his face when he teethed.

Thank you very much Chellesgirl, that's very helpful!

Yes. With his first tooth ds1 had a high temp for days and projectile vomiting. In fact I had forgotten about all the runny nose and major dribbling.

Everytime he got another tooth he'd have a temp and be ill for a day or so as it cut through the gum.

DS2 however would just have an extra tooth appear every few months or so with no fuss at all.

Thank you all, that is very reassuring. His temperature is down this morning (it's morning here), and he's much more cheerful and less clingy. Still had a bit of a rough night, woke up with a little cry every hour to hour and a half wanting to nurse... cue lots of coffee for Mama today...