[pocket1303]

My son is 7 years old, has had cold like symptoms since Thursday. He is running a fever, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. I have given him Triaminic, fever reducer. Gatorade, water a lukewarm bath, cool towel. Nothing seems to help. The fever comes down, then right back up. Should I take him to the e.r?

[J_9]

If you can't get him in to the doctor's office you can take him to the ER, but be prepared to wait a while. The ER will take the most critical patients first.

[Wondergirl]

A fever means his body is fighting the germs, the infection. How high has his temp been?

[J_9]

WG, since this has been going on since Thursday there is an infection there somewhere versus a virus and antibiotics are usually recommended.

I've just recently learned all of this as I have been working in the ER for 24 of my 48 hours a week at work.

[jenniepepsi]

I would suggest the urgent care clinic tomorrow morning. The ER would be a huge wait, and with his immune system already down in the dumps, it would expose him to MORE illness in the ER waiting room.

It doesn't sound serious enough to be considered an emergency, I would wait until tomorrow morning and go to his doctor or an urgent care.

In fact, walgreens and CVS and other places, have mini clinics that can offer treatment and prescriptions for antibiotics.

[Fr_Chuck]

Depending on where you live and what time it is where you are at, a urgent care center is much better than the ER for a illness.

[J_9]

i would suggest the urgent care clinic tomorrow morning.

Not all locations have urgent care clinics. There are none where I live.

Since this has gone on for almost 4 days now, dehydration could be a very serious complication.

Rarely do I recommend an ER, but this time I do.

[Wondergirl]

WG, since this has been going on since Thursday there is an infection there somewhere versus a virus and antibiotics are usually recommended.

Yes, I said infection.