Persistent fever

[safetymike]

My 4-month-old LO has been registering a fever off and on for the past two weeks. It has gotten as high as 100.6 at night (this was after his shots) and typically hovers about 99.4 during the day. It's not a constant fever, because Tylenol will bring it down and then later in the day it comes back. The doctor doesn't seem to think there is anything to worry about because my LO's ears and throat are fine. The doc says the baby is fighting off a virus. However, the doc doesn't even consider it a fever until it hits 103, which would absolutely terrify me. In addition, his stools are much softer than the yellow seedy stools that he had been having. My LO is exclusively bfed. He is drooling quite a bit and gnawing at anything he can put in his mouth, but the doc dismisses the idea that the fever/stools could be related to teething. Anyone have any experience with this?

[Amy_G_]

Fever could have relation to teething.

but a persistent fever in a 4 month old worries me.
I'd try to get a second opinion, honestly.

[des477]

My LO did the same thing at around that age after having an ear infection. Her ped said the same about a virus and put her on a stronger antibotic. When it didnt improve things within 3 days I took her to the ER and she was tested for everything from MRSA to UTI. Clean bill of health. It most likely is a virus, what I did was use infant motrin instead of tylonel. It will control the fever better than tylonel and last for 8 hours instead of 4. If a few days of that doesnt clear up the problem go back to the doc

[vickikreiner]

Teething can cause runnier BM's due to increased mucous. My Ped always suggested alternating infant Tylenol with infant Motrin.
If you are worried and fever persists after 3 days then call Ped again or go to your local "Nighttime Pediatrics" if you have one.
Hope your little one feels better soon. I wonder how many kids get fevers after shots and how long fevers last on average...I'll check the research out and get back....

[madelsmama]

I am not one to take my kids to the doctor (and a temp of 103 does not scare me, BTW), but a persistent temp for 2 weeks would probably prompt me to get obvious sources of infection ruled out by the doc.