Sick Child question--fever and very tired?

[Anonymous]

Our 12 mo old has had a fever the past few days ranging in temp fro 101-103 degrees. Our doctor saw us a couple days ago and said it was just a virus, push fluids, give tylenol etc. We were also told that a fever virus had been going around. What concerns me is that 3 days into the virus my son is now acting very tired and napping for much of the day. This is very unlike him and he was not like this yesterday even when his fever was at it's peak. Is this normal behavior? I'm very concerned as his behavior is so different than usual, even from when he's been sick in the past. Please let me know what you would do.
I'm going to page my doc office now, but wondering if you would take your child to the ER if they were behaving like this.

[clarabow]

I'm just a mom, so this is in no way in lieu of anything your pediatrician tells you when he or she calls you back, but we're going through the fever virus right now so I'll offer what I've been told. The lethargy and sleeping is usually normal (mine has been napping a TON today even though his fever is now pretty much under control), but you ought to be mindful of possible dehydration because that will make a child sleepy too. Are you getting enough wet diapers? You might ask the doc if you should be giving any pedialyte. If the fever starts becoming resistant to tylenol and/or cracks 104 (ours did on Thursday) then I'd take him to the ER at that point for sure.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a doctor either, but I can tell you that my son (almost 2) had something similar a couple weeks ago and he was VERY sleepy. And when he wasn't sleeping, all he wanted to do was sit on the couch and watch Elmo. He even slept 13 hours one night, and he's usually a 10-11 hour kid.

Also, I agree with the PP in that I would make sure he's not dehydrated. Fever can do that to you, and that in and of itself would make you sleepy. Unless he's limp and unresponsive, I'd hold off on the ER until you hear from the pediatrician.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP here :Thanks for your replies. It is good to hear how other children typically act when they have a fever.As a first time Mom I don't know.
I spoke with our ped this afternoon, about 5 mins after our son woke up. She said to monitor him, push fluids and to report back if he was acting unusual later tonight. Thankfully he seems to be ok so far. I was very scared earlier as he has never acted that way before! Really, it's usually a struggle to even get him to take his nap in his crib, so his sleeping that long off and on was downright frightening.
Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

OP. How's your DS doing today? Is he perking up any?