A sick, lethargic, high temp child is not something to play with. If she was running around and eating ice cream, sure, you might wait but if she is basically listless, that is scary. I have never heard of a doctor saying it was an overreaction to the patient. I am sure they talk to other people about it but they should know that medical things are scary and mysterious. I would make sure someone knows (via survey or call) that the doctor left something to be desired. I have been afraid of this very thing - being the over reacting person while goes to the ER for nothing. Once, I ended up hospitalized for a week with blood clots in my lungs. Once I caught a cellulitis in my DDs eye that if we had waited another few hours may have impacted her vision. So, now I trust myself. Sometimes I am wrong and it is nothing, but always go.

Total overreaction. At least wait to see if the Tylenol works. Why would you not have called the ped first?

Save the ER for real emergencies.

Anonymous wrote:You did the right thing. It could have been sepsis. My friend’s 6 year old granddaughter died from flu last year (even with the shot). I would not f with flu anymore!

+1

Flu can move very quickly into very serious complications in young children. Waiting too long to get them to a hospital can make things worse--fast. They can decline with frightening rapidity, and a parent isn't qualified to decide they're going to be fine. That's what the doctors are there for.

Just because your child was OK this time, OP, that does not mean you were wrong; it means you were cautious. Please don't let your DH or your ped make you second-guess yourself to the point that next time your gut says "hospital" you hesitate out of worry they'd criticize you as "overreacting."

And OP, you need a new ped, ASAP.

Overreacted

Do you attempt to do anything to bring her temp down?
Tylenol, cool wash cloth on forehead, remove layers, lie down and rest- recheck temp in an hour

Why drag your kid to the ER for a single temp reading that might not even be accurate?

I would have totally gone to the ER in your situation. A toddler lethargic with flu and a temp that high, I am pretty sure my ped would tell us to go to be on the safe side. And even if it was a bit over the top, I can’t believe it was so over the top that a doc would give you the side eye for it.

Op- I think you did the right thing... always err on side of caution.

You did the right thing. My 2.5 y/o and I had the flu starting on Tuesday and we're both almost healed up today and I'm still considering taking him in for a check up to make sure his lungs are fine. Feeling better and then running a fever again is a really good reason to go. Is this your first child? Trust your gut and seek medical advice when you think you need to do so.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so shaken up by what some dr implied? Who cares?

I wouldn’t say I was shaken up; more annoyed that the doctor seemed to be lacking in compassion. But also, maybe I made the wrong call. Sometimes a little perspective helps.

Try to unclench.

You still sound rattled and embarrassed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Our pediatrician doesn’t have an afterhours line and I’ve only ever used the one urgent care place that wasn’t open so I guess I just panicked. She’s never had a fever that high before.

Whaaaaaat? This is primary care, an after hours line is part of the package. I'm sure they're great, but there is no way I would stick with a pediatrician whose practice setup is going to leave you over a barrel so often over the course of your kid's childhood. New ped.

This is one of the reasons I’m looking for a new pediatrician. If anyone has any recommendations for someone in the Reston area, please post!

I use Advanced Pediatrics in Vienna but have a ton of friends who use reston town center pediatrics and love it

You did the right thing. It could have been sepsis. My friend’s 6 year old granddaughter died from flu last year (even with the shot). I would not f with flu anymore!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Our pediatrician doesn’t have an afterhours line and I’ve only ever used the one urgent care place that wasn’t open so I guess I just panicked. She’s never had a fever that high before.

Whaaaaaat? This is primary care, an after hours line is part of the package. I'm sure they're great, but there is no way I would stick with a pediatrician whose practice setup is going to leave you over a barrel so often over the course of your kid's childhood. New ped.

This is one of the reasons I’m looking for a new pediatrician. If anyone has any recommendations for someone in the Reston area, please post!

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so shaken up by what some dr implied? Who cares?

I wouldn’t say I was shaken up; more annoyed that the doctor seemed to be lacking in compassion. But also, maybe I made the wrong call. Sometimes a little perspective helps.

Try to unclench.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have called the pediatrician. Ours insists that we call them if we’re contemplating a visit to the ER (and it’s not a life or death situation.)

Hope both you and your daughter are feeling better.

What do you mean yours insists? How?

Maybe “insists” is the wrong word. They’ve clearly communicated it to us and other friends and family members who use the same practice. They don’t want patients making unnecessary visits to the ER. They’ve made it clear that they are available to work with us to make the best decisions regarding our kids’ care. I’ve consulted with them when unsure. Sometimes I’ve been told to go to the ER and other times we were able to treat at home until their office opened.

Anonymous wrote:


Our pediatrician doesn’t have an afterhours line and I’ve only ever used the one urgent care place that wasn’t open so I guess I just panicked. She’s never had a fever that high before.

Whaaaaaat? This is primary care, an after hours line is part of the package. I'm sure they're great, but there is no way I would stick with a pediatrician whose practice setup is going to leave you over a barrel so often over the course of your kid's childhood. New ped.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have called the pediatrician. Ours insists that we call them if we’re contemplating a visit to the ER (and it’s not a life or death situation.)

Hope both you and your daughter are feeling better.

Thank you!


Our pediatrician doesn’t have an afterhours line and I’ve only ever used the one urgent care place that wasn’t open so I guess I just panicked. She’s never had a fever that high before.

Your child's health is more important so you did the right thing. Our ER always tells us to come in with any concerns. I went for a high fever as I could not get medicine in my child. The intake nurse was fantastic and somehow convinced him to take it and by the time we saw the doctor the fever was down. They said absolutely go.