OK…I could use a little advice here. I’m a stepmom, but none of my own for this kind of experience. My stepson is sick. He told me earlier today that he had puked at his mom’s house last night, but seemed fine while with me all day. Active, playing, and ate a good lunch, even took a short nap. When dinner rolled around, he said he wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t push it. Now with him taking a nap, he can usually stay up fairly late, but he started acting tired earlier than I would have expected. He fell asleep on the couch, and I put him to bed. He woke up a little bit ago to go to bathroom, and I peeked around the corner, and he was crying on the way back to his room. I asked him what was wrong and he said his “neck” hurt. I asked him where, and he said on the inside. So I was like OK…we have a sore throat. I checked his glands, and no swelling. Within five minutes of that, he started coughing and puking, and continued to puke for about 10-15 minutes. By the time he was done, his face was beet red, his hair was drenched, and he was hotter than hell. I took his temp. and it was 100.3. His dad was at work (in the Navy, on duty), so I called him and asked him to come home. I am not going to pack this poor sick kid up and drag him to the store, when our nearest store at this hour is like 20 miles away. He is resting comfortably now in our bed, and I am awaiting my husbands arrival, so I can send him for medicine. Which brings us to my question. What should we get? Childrens Tylenol w fever reducer? What for his sick tummy? At what point is the hospital the place to go. Any input ASAP would be greatly appreciated. And please know that in the future I plan to have these and other medicines in our home on a regular basis. I do have cold remedies for him on hand, but that obviously is not going to work in this situation. Oh yeah…he’s 5.
It sounds to me like he needs to go to the hospital ASAP. Of all things, you don’t want to take him in public until you know what’s wrong; he could be contagious. Temperature above 100, with vomiting? His neck hurts? Could be meningitis, or one of several other things. Only a doctor can tell, but this sounds potentially serious. If the nearest Naval hospital isn’t more than ten minutes farther than the nearest regular hospital, then go there, but get the kid to a doctor, right away, please!
I’ve done a little looking online since my post, and I understand that 100.3 is really not all that high for a child. My guess is he has the stomach flu. He’s watching cartoons and giggling now. But believe me, I will be getting no sleep and keeping a very close eye on his temp. My husband is bringing Tylenol and Pedialyte home now. Thank you so much for your post, as that was my initial reaction also.
I apologize for the double post!!!
He said his neck hurts on the inside. Sounds like a sick kid to me. I wouldn’t freak out at all unless he doesn’t stop puking within 24 hours or he spikes a high fever (103 degrees). Pedialyte is a great product. I think you’re doing fine.
I would still at least call the pediatrician. Kids that young can be so fragile. I’ll never forget when my daughter-in-law called me to tell me that my younger grandson had a fever and was in convulsions. She was home alone, no car, and I was a thousand miles from her.
He’s a teenager now, and disgustingly healthy. 
But you simply never know.
At least take his temp again before you give him the Tylenol, please?
You know…this happened to a woman I worked with. She was in hysterics and called the pediatrician to report the 107 degree fever. He told her to throw the kid out in the snow. After he sufficiently cooled down, they took him to the ER.
IANAD, but IAAMom.
tygerbryght, I know you’re trying to be helpful, but you’re really comparing two uncomparable things here. A respiratory/stomach bug with a mild fever is in no way analagous to febrile convulsions!
Meningitis presents as a very stiff neck, not a sore throat, and a high fever, and may also include " nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion,". It’s not something that comes and goes, and it’s highly unlikely he’d be happily playing video games right now.
Furthermore, if he’s up to date on his vaccines, a five year old is still well protected from his HiB shot. (That’s why we usually don’t see meningitis until college age, in those who don’t get their HiB boosted in high school.)
There is a simple test you can do to check for meningitis. It won’t diagnose it (only a bacterical screen from the spinal fluid can do that) but it will let you know if you should get him to an ED right away. Have him lay down on his back with his legs straight out and flat against the bed. Now have him raise his head and try to touch his chin to his chest. If he can’t do this without raising his knees, get to an ED.
So what should you do? Lots of fluids, lots of hugs. Clear fluids are best - water, apple juice, chicken broth, jell-o. I’d only give him Tylenol if it’s clear the fever is making him uncomfortable (there’s a theory that elevated temps can help destroy invaders). But yes, Tylenol is the recommended fever reducer for kids.
Keep an eye out for dehydration, that’s your worst fear. You can check by looking under his tongue or pulling his lower eyelid down - moist and pink, with good rebound? He’s OK.
Let him eat if he’s hungry, but don’t force him to eat. Do force him to drink, however - 8 ounces every hour or so.
You sound like you’re doing fine. If you need any reassurance, if his personality suddenly changes, if you get the tingly spider sense that something’s really wrong, or if he stays sick for more than four days or so, then just call his pediatrician. That’s what they’re there for.
Please see a doctor. This is closed.
-xash
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