Will Food Reactions Cause Fever?

[MamaJo]

My 3yo daughter was complaining of a stomach ache all day yesterday, and her voice sounded 'groggy'. I chalked it up to post nasal drip, since she has been suffering from seasonal allergies this year. She laid on the couch most of the day, but still got up to play periodically, going outside, etc. By last night she was feeling warm so I took her temp, which was at 102*. She was really complaining of stomach pains at bedtime again so we gave her a childrens motrin. After chewing and swallowing it, she was complaining about her throat being hot.

Could the initial problem have been a reaction to something, or does the fever mean that it's something viral? How about the motrin reaction? Or could that have not been a reaction at all, but just a sore throat starting?

I am so tired of trying to pinpoint all of these reactions/symptoms

[MamaJo]

My 3yo daughter was complaining of a stomach ache all day yesterday, and her voice sounded 'groggy'. I chalked it up to post nasal drip, since she has been suffering from seasonal allergies this year. She laid on the couch most of the day, but still got up to play periodically, going outside, etc. By last night she was feeling warm so I took her temp, which was at 102*. She was really complaining of stomach pains at bedtime again so we gave her a childrens motrin. After chewing and swallowing it, she was complaining about her throat being hot.

Could the initial problem have been a reaction to something, or does the fever mean that it's something viral? How about the motrin reaction? Or could that have not been a reaction at all, but just a sore throat starting?

I am so tired of trying to pinpoint all of these reactions/symptoms

Updating that this morning she feels better and her temp is normal.

[OBXMom]

My son used to have frequent tummy aches with low grade fevers before we got his diet sorted out. I don't know how many times I kept him home from school because of the 24 hour-no-fever rule when I was pretty sure it wasn't viral. Whether it is really that food issues make a child more susceptible to other allergy and viral problems, I don't know. I just know it is really hard to see your child feeling bad, and I'm glad your daughter is better today.

[MamaJo]

My son used to have frequent tummy aches with low grade fevers before we got his diet sorted out. I don't know how many times I kept him home from school because of the 24 hour-no-fever rule when I was pretty sure it wasn't viral. Whether it is really that food issues make a child more susceptible to other allergy and viral problems, I don't know. I just know it is really hard to see your child feeling bad, and I'm glad your daughter is better today.

She *was* better most of the morning and early afternoon. Then she became very sleepy again. Soon her fever was creeping back up, her eyes were all red, and her fever was back to 102*. At bedtime she was complaining of her tummy hurting again, and the feeling that she needed to throw up

I guess I'll see how she's feeling this morning again. I really need to start some kind of a food diary to try to aid me in remembering what they are eating and what reactions they are having to see if I can pinpoint to specific foods. Of course, now I've read that the reactions can show up anywhere from immediately to 3 days later?! This is so difficult!

[weluvgators]

This is so difficult!

Oh, HUGS, MAMA! I know how hard this is!! And it is incredibly hard to find the support and resources that you need to sort your way through the probably multiple things that may be contributing to your DD's ills. I have extensive experience with just this sort of thing, as I am working with my three young children. I wish that I could help you more, but I had to offer my hugs because I have found the experience to be overwhelming. Yet, it remains the best thing that ever happened to me . . . giving birth to a super silly child! But when you deal with the frequent illness, the constant worry and search for answers to what ails your precious child . . . it just feels so lonely. I hope that you will find the resources and support that you need. You can do this! And as your child gets older, I suspect that it will get easier . . . as that has been the case for us.

Best wishes for figuring this out.

[weluvgators]

Hugs, Mama! It IS difficult. I know all too well the struggle it is to keep a young child healthy and well, especially when dealing with celiac and other food allegies/intolerances. We have had experience with fevers as reactions to both gluten and dairy. My middle child had several instances of high fevers overnight that did not result in any illness, seemingly in response to gluten exposure. My youngest has had fever with dairy exposure.

And, unfortunately, large and/or consistent exposures seem to inevitably lead to longer term illness, as it seems to be quite an assault on their immune systems.

We have used the Children's Motrin (usually dye-free and always liquid) without any problems.