Fever Question - 5 yr old

[PAB985RN]

Hello School Nurses, Asking this for a friend as it's not something I could answer for him. His 5 year old has been having off and on fevers - no symptoms other than the fever. She is in kindergarten and not happy to be there ... so she feels "yucky" or looks sad, teacher/aide asks if you feel okay, she says No and goes to the nurses office, her only happy place at school at this point.

Normally not a problem as she gets a bit of attention and then back to class. Last couple of weeks though she has had a fever and their "send them home" temp is 101.2. She gets picked up, appears fine, fever is gone for a bit, might come back at home then go away again.

She is a child with ear issues, and is scheduled for tube surgery in the next couple of weeks, but she's not complaining of anything and her ears look okay during these events.

So, his question was "can a child unhappy with school will herself into a fever". Other than that, any thoughts as to what they could look for? Pediatrician didn't find anything either when she was taken for a visit after the last episode ...

Thanks for your wisdom .. while not a school nurse, I do enjoy reading your forum!

[Farawyn]

Your friend should consult a Pediatrician.

Or, a second opinion.

[OldDude]

A student can't will themselves into having a fever...although we can't offer medical opinions...various and sundry viruses can cause intermittent fevers, with that being the only sign, for a week or two; sometimes longer. Blood work can offer some indication as to a viral or bacterial origin.

[BeckyESRN]

I actually had a student with intermittent fevers last year (no cause found, went on for about 4 months at random times). She would get a bit of a headache when she was fevered, usually around 101-102, but was otherwise fine. We had her doctor write out a care plan that included Tylenol and Motrin for temp and remain in school unless new symptoms were present or if temp was about 102.5 despite medication. I'd give meds, check on her in about an hour and go from there. It almost always resolved, but reoccurred as soon as the meds wore off. She'd go weeks without an issue, then be fevered on and off for several days. The tested for everything from Lyme to meningitis to RA.

[EnoughWithTheIce]

I actually had a student with intermittent fevers last year (no cause found, went on for about 4 months at random times). She would get a bit of a headache when she was fevered, usually around 101-102, but was otherwise fine. We had her doctor write out a care plan that included Tylenol and Motrin for temp and remain in school unless new symptoms were present or if temp was about 102.5 despite medication. I'd give meds, check on her in about an hour and go from there. It almost always resolved, but reoccurred as soon as the meds wore off. She'd go weeks without an issue, then be fevered on and off for several days. The tested for everything from Lyme to meningitis to RA.

Had a very similar situation 2 years ago. student even hospitalized at a Children's Hospital while they ran every test imaginable and consulted with an infectious disease specialist who couldn't find anything. At the end of the day, diagnosis of "fever of unknown origin." Some glitch with the immune response ??????? and they did not feel he was contagious to anyone so he returned to school with a very similar plan. After a few months, it just stopped and the next school year - he was fine, no problems at all.

[Jacquipals]

I had a student with PFAPA- Period Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Cervical Adenitis. Would get a fever, go away and come back, and feel fine most of the time. Occasionally would have a minor sore throat.