Quote:
Originally posted by viet_mom
How high does your child's temperature's have to be before you hit the emergency room?
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Depends. If it's your first child, about 101. By the time you hit the third or fourth, it's up to 105.
Seriously, at 105, it's time to take measures, like cold rags and the like. (A cold-soaked towel around the torso drops temp fast. Lots of screaming, 'cuz it's COLD, but it's worth it at that point.) The doc's right about no brain damage in an infant until 109-110, but it's still scary as hell, and you're never sure if you're on an up-tick or a cooling phase. So, don't hesitate to bring her in at 105-106, like you did. That's why you have insurance. Pass off the doc's comments as dicta at that point.
Watch for fever convulsions as temps approach 106-107. Fever convulsions are fairly frequent when they get that hot. If they do happen (arched back, shaking, teeth (okay, jaws) clenched, eyes maybe rolling) do the cold wet towel trick immediately, and get the temp down before leaving for the ER. (The convulsions will stop as the temp drops a degree or two.) And remind yourself about fifty times, the convulsions are fairly common, they do no damage to the child, and just signal a rapid temp increase.
(Not trying to scare you with the convulsion thing - but I found out the hard way with KidOne, and would have been much more comfortable that first night if I had even ever heard of them.)
