AboutDavid Olson, MD Expertise I would be happy to attempt to answer any questions about general pediatric topics, either medical issues or behavioral issues. This would include all the various questions one receives in a busy pediatric practice. I`m a board certified pediatrician in northern Michigan and have been in practice for over 15 years. I enjoy the teaching role I have in our practice and would enjoy the opportunity to help others with their pediatric problems.
Question QUESTION: My 2 1/2 year old get intermittent fevers (about 101) that last about 24 hrs at a time. I am able to control it with Tylenol. He has no other symptoms when these fevers occur, other than no appetite and just generally tired and not feeling well. He has had about 3 "episodes" of these fevers in the last 6-8 months. What could be causing these 24 hr fevers??
ANSWER: Hi, Mackenzie,
Many kids get intermittent viral illnesses that have fever and little else in the way of symptoms. This is probably the cause, especially if he has a lot of exposure in a child care setting.
Other weird causes might be the category we call "periodic fevers". This is complicated and a Google search for "pediatric periodic fevers" will give you plenty of information. If this seems to fit your case, ask your pediatrician about it.
Good luck, Dr. Olson
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QUESTION: He is not in a daycare situation. He is one of triplets and so I stay at home and care for them. The reason I am following up is that I just found a nodule behind his left ear. It is about the size of a small marble. His hair had been covering that spot so I am not sure how long it has been there. But he has been complaining about an "owie" by his ear. When I touch it he says it hurts. Could this all be tied together or something completly different?
Answer Hi, Mackenzie,
If the other triplets aren't getting the fevers, then it would make me even be more suspicious of a periodic fever disorder. The nodule is probably a normal benign reactive node. Lots of normal kids with viral illnesses will have this type of lymph node.
Have your doctor take a look at this whole situation and see if some additional studies, such as a blood count done during a fever episode, needs to be done. Keep a log of the fevers also.
