Sick Kid---the human kind

Ravenlost · #21 09/03/04, 09:07 AM

My first thought was also sinus infection. I used to have what my doctor called a "dry sinus infection" - fever, horrible headache, but no drainage, congestion, etc. I always needed antibiotics to clear it up. Since your son has been bothered by allergies this was the first thing I thought of. I hope he feels better soon!

Tango · #22 09/03/04, 09:10 AM

Allergies can cause sinus headaches which can be very painful. An infection like sinusitis, which results from sinus back up, is very painful and causes fever. It is like your head is about to pop. I ride them out without antibiotics and have done so since I was a teen but it is very uncomfortable. Allergies cause low grade fevers. I can't explain it scientifically but I've seen it in my son and in me (not above 100 though). Eating some spicy food will get his sinuses to start draining, if he can tolerate it. Blowing his nose will feel horrific but it is also helpful. In short if it is sinusitis, he needs to get those sinuses moving. Best wishes.

Buffy in Dallas · #23 09/03/04, 01:30 PM

Actually almost all doctors will tell you you need to be seen even if its the smallest thing. Why? Because if they tell you to stay home and it turns out to be something bad....

LAWSUIT!!!!

practical-cat · #24 09/03/04, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

yes, however, ibuprophen, like aspirin is associated with Rye syndrome in children and young adults. therefore Non steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs are usually only prescribed in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and only when there is no indication of an infection. Headache with fever is probably viral, but could be allergy associated if it had progressed into mastoiditis, either way he needs to be seen by a DO or MD

I don't see how this could be. Ibuprofen is sold in infant's and children's formulas and has been prescribed by all of our pediatricians for my kids since they were infants. I have never heard, read, or seen anything about a connection with ibuprofen and rye's syndrome.

Jena · #25 09/03/04, 09:17 PM

He's still improving and tonight started blowing green snot (sorry to be graphic). Sinus infection! He had me fooled because he didn't sound congested. If it doesn't get better, we'll go in for antibiotics, but I think he's on the mend.

I am always concerned about fevers with no apparent cause. It is good to be cautious, but I wouldn't not have taken him in unless it was still raging after 24 hours, with no apparent cause.

Jena

countrygrrrl · #26 09/03/04, 09:41 PM

Jena, I just read this thread and every fiber in my body was screaming sinus infection!

I just got over one a week or so ago. I have a very bad time with them this time of year, thanks to allergies. They're really very dreadful little things and don't so much cause *headaches* as they cause headfaches!!, if that makes sense.

If he also has allergies, you might want to start getting the pollen reports every day and tracking them, just to see if that might be something that triggered the sinus infection and to maybe prevent it in the future.

For me, it's dust mites and (grrrrrrrrrrrr) the evil ragweed.

HATE ragweed! Hate it! :no:

countrygrrrl · #27 09/03/04, 09:45 PM

BTW, if it's allergies causing the sinus infections, teach him to irrigate his sinuses! :yeeha: With a saline solution! That whoops those sinus nasties really well and quickly and in a relatively innocuous way.

And Tango's right about spicey foods. Help him cultivate a taste for the spicier things in life.

mawalla · #28 09/03/04, 10:02 PM

Sometimes I put Vicks on my forhead and at my temples when I have a sinus headache. It seems to help open up the sinus passages and releave the pain.

All the warm most crud that gets in one's sinus passages during an allergy outbreak can cause a bacterial infection. My guess is that is what happened to your son. I'm glad that he is feeling better.

sue currin · #29 09/04/04, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jena

My 11 year old son had a headache all day yesterday. He happened to go to the doc for a physical. She blamed the headache on allergies, which seemed reasonable.

He now has a fever...had it since at least 4am. It responds to tylenol, doesn't go away, but lowers. I don't know what it is exactly...I'd say 102 or above without tylenol, below 101 with. I can't find the stupid thermometer and I don't think he'll go for the one I use on cows

He looks awful. Either flushed or pale...drawn out and well...like a miserable kid. He says he doesn't want to move because it makes his head hurt more.

I have five kids (he's the youngest) and I've been there done that with sick kids, but I hate illness like this. No symptoms other than headache and fever. No respiritory stuff (other than the allergies, which zyrtec fixed), no stomach complaints.

When should I freak out?

Jena

Check to see if his neck is rigid. If it is, that is one of the symptoms of miningitis.It doesn't show itself in all cases. I would take him to an ER.