We just got caught in a major downpour on our walkabout in search of sticks. Today, it is 50 degrees, after the 90+ degrees of the weekend. I hate global warming (even if the president says it's actually good for the economy -- twit.)
Jack had a fever this weekend that started on Saturday. He was tired in the morning and then Rama was worried about him because he wouldn't play or eat. Kevin woke me at 4 and brought Jack in who was hot as a frying pan and not sweating and had a dry diaper and wouldn't drink anything. He had a fever of 103.7. I finally got him to take some Tylenol and, while waiting for the pediatrician's office to call back, got him into a lukewarm bath. When the nurse called back, she asked me if he was responsive. Um, honey, if the kid wasn't responsive, I don't think that we'd be having this conversation, since I would have been at the ED in a nanosecond. So, as usual, the party line of the pediatrician's office was that everything was fine and high fevers are normal and unless Jack's head started spinning around ala the Exorcist, there's nothing to worry about.
Jack did respond well to the Tylenol and slept in his Pack'n'Play in the air conditioned master bedroom with Daddy that night. The next morning (Sunday) when I got home from work, I gave Jack his Tylenol at 7:30 and then gave him breakfast and played with him and Syd while Kev got to sleep in. Jack went down for his nap at around 9:30 and I went to bed then, and told Kev to make sure to give Jack the Tylenol every 4 hours. A little after 1, Kevin came bursting into the bedroom with a miserable Jack and said, "He's sick. He's really hot!" Groggy, I asked, "Did you give him Tylenol?" Kevin said, "Not since you gave it at 7." Um, what about EVERY FOUR HOURS didn't you understand? So, my poor, miserable, febrile, hotter-than-a-frying-pan baby got some Tylenol and slept on top of me for a few fitful hours. Fitful for me, that is.
Anyway, in this instance, the pediatrician's office was right, and Jack was fine. Working at Children's, though, I see many instances of pediatrician's offices and ED's being wrong. And kids ending up in intensive care because of the error in judgment. Usually, the parents know that something isn't right, and that's why they come to Children's. So, to all of you parents out there: don't overreact, however, do trust your instincts. Just keep in mind that, once you get to the ED, you will likely wait there for a long time before you are seen and, for things like fevers and upper respiratory infections and stomach bugs, you and your little frying pan are probably going to be more comfortable waiting it out at home. It is a good idea to call your pediatrician for help with the dosages of over-the-counter medications: the dosages are hard to understand sometimes, and the pharmaceutical companies frequently don't list dosages for kids under 2 because of labeling issues with the FDA. If your tot doesn't respond to common sense home therapies and some time, then go to the ED. Just bring some toys with you; it might be awhile.
10:18:41 AM 
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