2 wk stomach virus???

The Importance Of Fever

Fever in a child is a frightening symptom to the mother. Just what is the function of fever? Is it a harmful process, something to suppress and worry about? Or is it the body’s attempt to burn up a poison, thereby helping to dispose of it more quickly?

In the diseases of childhood, fever begins in the liver. In a very strong, robust child, with properly functioning endocrine glands, the toxin is often completely consumed in the liver. The child does not feel sick or have pain; he just has a fever and if the liver area is carefully palpated, it can be noted that there is an elevation of temperature over that organ.

In fact, if the temperature under the tongue is 105 degrees, the internal temperature of the liver may be as high as 110 degrees. But if the liver is unable to oxidize completely the poisons of disease so that some leak through into the blood stream, then, under the action of the endocrine glands, the poisons seek vicarious outlets via the mucous membranes. This may be through the upper respiratory tract, diagnosed by doctors as flu, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and possibly even pneumonia, which is a complicated kind of bronchitis. All through this process, the whole power of the liver is diverted into neutralizing the toxic wastes of disease, as evidenced by the fever.

The liver is much too busy to be bothered with the task of the digestion of food.

Great strain can be taken off that organ if no food is given. Not only does fasting lower the temperature, relieve the distress and facilitate elimination, but it also lessens the strain on the liver and prevents serious complications, such as middle-ear disease, mastoiditis and meningitis.

Left alone, a fever will not exceed 106 degrees.

And only about 4 percent of children experience fever-related convulsions, with no serious aftereffects.

A fast (on distilled water, or at least diluted fruit or vegetable juices) should be continued for twenty-four hours after the temperature has returned to normal.

A good rule to remember is that the bowel can be cleared of toxins (by physic or enemas) in twenty-four hours; the blood in three days; the liver in five days, providing no food is eaten. Shingles (“adult chicken pox”), an eliminative crisis through the mucous membranes that occurs in adults, may require about a week-long fast to completely clear up.

It appears then, that fever, dreaded because misunderstood, is really nature’s attempt to help.

It is discomforting, but never does harm; never is attended with serious aftereffects and never should be suppressed with anti-inflammatory drugs or fed with food. I have seen many a case of flu pushed into a pneumonia because some anxious grandmother insisted upon something “to give the child strength”, such as chicken broth or a thin starchy gruel, both liquids, of course, but protein and starch-just what the liver cannot handle at this point.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=209443

nataliachick72007-6-10 11:43:44

Erica,

I’m so sorry to hear that he’s been sick for so long. It really sounds terrible. If he’s still like this tomorrow, I would call the doctor back and see what they suggest. It’s really hard to know what’s going on by the description. We found with Hailey that the slightest virus caused projectile vomitting, mainly b/c of gagging on mucous. Her system was very sensitive, and the littlest illness exacerbated the reflux. It was awful. The diarrhea sounds suspicious, though. It might be a virus, or it could be back-to-back viruses, which we’ve had as well. I do know that stomach bugs seem to be worse from some of our kiddos. But the temp makes me think viral. Anyhow, I figure that doesn’t help much, but just wanted to send you some sympathy. Reflux alone can be hard enough to sort out without adding viruses on top of things. If he’s acting sick or seems to be ill, then I wouldn’t worry about giving him some pain reliever to keep him comfortable. As long as his temp stays low, you don’t really need to worry.

I know that Natalia was just trying to help with her post, but I would try not to worry about it. Whether or not to treat fever is just one of the new topics of debate that has been growing out there. Contrary to her post, nothing will happen to a child who is given a fever reducer.

Okay… so I know that I should keep my mouth shut, but I don’t like this kind of misinformation, even though I’m sure the intentions are not malicious. I may not be 100 percent accurate, b/c I’m relying on memory, but just to clear up some misinformation: A fever is ONE way that the body fights off infections. Certain white blood cells release molecules called pyrogens which raise the body’s temperature. Lymphatic vells, lymph nodes, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, tonsisls, and adenoids are the primary sites of immune formation, not the liver. The liver does play a role, but it is not the primary site of immune defense, according to my understanding. The liver’s primary role in the body is the elimination of toxins that are in the blood. If foreign pathogens are noted in the liver, an immune response can be triggered, but it is by no means the primary mode of defense. The liver does not digest food, so that point really makes little sense. The release of pyrogens is detected by the hypothalamus in the brain, which tells the body to increase the temperature. A moderate fever is known to inhibit the growth of SOME microorganisms, and the hope is that the increase in temperature will make the host a less hospitable environment and facilitate phagocytosis. Even without a temperature, the child will go on to develop secondary and tertiary methods of fighting off infection, so if a child is acting sick and like they are in pain, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making them feel better. We’ve been told that a child’s behaviour is often the best indicator of whether or not to give pain medication. The point about febrile seizures is insulting, IMO. My daughter has a severe case of febrile seizures, and yes, they are not life threatening, but unless you’ve watched your child fall to the ground and convulse repeatedly, then you are in no place to really place judgment on whether or not fever control is warranted. My daughter receives aggressive fever control at the very first sign of a fever and still fights off illnesses and infections. The whole bit about starvation and enemas has little part in this discussion, IMO.

Anyhow, Erica, I hope that you figure something out and that he’s feeling better soon. This really is a great site. Please don’t let this type of stuff deter you (or anyone else) from posting. HUGS.

I am sorry things are rough. Some decisions about your child can be very difficult to make. Every child is unique and i usually rely on my mommy instints (plus behavior of child) to help my child. I certainly don’t want my baby to be in pain. i don’t have any advice , i just want you to know that i may understand how you feel. Wanting to help your child feel better, but not knowing how, it really is fustrating and heartbreaking (it just happened to me). hugs, hugs, hugs

this seems like a good place to end for now…

thank you

Erica,

I sure hope tomorrow is a better day. Just to let you know….my family doctor showed me some information on stomach bugs and sure enough some of them can last up to a month in infants and toddlers. The fever should not last a month, but the diarrhea can. It’s never lasted that long for my three, but it has for my friend’s daughter.

Also, it’s not uncommon for just the baby of the family to come down with one of these bugs, because many times the other family members have been exposed enough times that they have some immunity, but the baby does not.

I hope it is just a bug and that it clears up soon.

Erica: Sounds like Carson when he eats something he shouldn’t have except for the fever. It takes 7-10 days for him to get better after eating milk/soy/oatmeal, etc. I really wonder about ears – even *just* fluid is so bad for reflux babies. Allergies are horrible for reflux babies. Have you tried Dimetap? The purple – cold/allergy – it has an antihistimine and also a decongestant. If there is any post nasal drip or drainage this will help dry it up. The antihistimine can help with allergies but if they are really the cause, then you may need a script for an antihistimine.

With the low grade fever, it sounds like ears ?? You are a good mommy and I am sure had this checked out. The low grade fever could be with a virus but that is a long time to last.

Keep up on your mommy instincts. That is the heart of it all. I hope things turn around very soon.

Sue, that sounds about right. My nephew had that. Don’t they offer an immuzation for that now? We refused all but the basics but I was thinking that was listed on a sheet I brought home. ??