Resurgence of Fever in My 16-Year-Old Son
Greetings! I want to share my experience concerning my son, a 16-year-old African American male, who stands at 6'1" and weighs approximately 190 pounds. He began feeling ill on Thursday past, presenting with a fever and a sore throat. I decided it was best for him to skip school for the remainder of that week. By Monday, he seemed to have improved and returned to school, but unfortunately, his symptoms resurfaced on Tuesday. During a visit to urgent care, the doctor diagnosed him with ear swelling and prescribed an antibiotic due to his coughing up green phlegm. This morning, he was scheduled to attend school; however, he was restless all night due to coughing. It is noteworthy that he has a history of asthma, which is currently being managed by his allergist. He suffers from multiple allergies, particularly to certain tree pollens and grass, for which he receives monthly allergy shots. Once more, I kept him home and contacted his allergist, though I am still awaiting a response. At present, he is experiencing another fever and continues to cough frequently. I commenced albuterol treatment via his nebulizer late last night, administering another dose at lunchtime, and in between treatments, I am using sodium chloride nebulization to help alleviate his chest congestion. I find it perplexing that his fever has returned despite his antibiotic regimen. Shouldn't he be on the mend? I am still anticipating a reply from the doctor. I appreciate any insights you might have!
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 12:01:08 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a challenging situation for your son, and it's understandable to be worried. The recurrence of fever and symptoms despite antibiotic treatment can be concerning, and it’s essential to address this appropriately. Here are the main points to consider:
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Possible Reasons for Symptoms: Your son’s symptoms might indicate that he could be experiencing a viral infection alongside the bacterial issue diagnosed at urgent care, which might not be fully resolved yet. Conditions like viral bronchitis can cause persistent fever and coughing, especially if he has asthma.
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Monitoring Symptoms After Medication: It’s common for some infections to not respond to antibiotics right away, or the initial antibiotic might not cover the specific bacteria causing his symptoms. Given his history of asthma and current symptoms, this is important to monitor closely.
Next Steps:
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Continue Symptom Management: Continue using the nebulizer with albuterol as prescribed. The sodium chloride nebulization is good to help loosen his mucus. Ensure he's staying well-hydrated; fluids can help thin mucus and keep him comfortable.
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Monitor Fever: Keep track of his fever, including duration and temperature spikes. Use fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed (following dosage guidelines) to keep him comfortable.
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Observe for Warning Signs: Be on the lookout for worsening symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Severe cough that doesn’t improve or worsens
- Persistent high fever (over 102°F or 39°C)
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, reduced urination) If any of these occur, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.
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Follow Up with His Healthcare Provider: Since you are awaiting a response from your allergist, it’s worth following up for any additional guidance, especially considering his asthma and allergies. If the fever persists or worsens beyond a few days, or if new symptoms arise, seek further evaluation from a healthcare professional.
While it may be frustrating to see symptoms persist, many infections take time to improve, and your proactive management is important. Keep monitoring and caring for him, and you will have a clearer path forward with the next steps as his situation evolves. Let me know if you have more questions or need support!
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