7 year old son with recurring fever

[Oliver5]

My 7 year old son has had recurring high fevers every 3 to 5 weeks that last from 2 to 4 days.  (This past fever is the 5th one that has occurred).  He has been diagnosed and treated for strep and sinus infections, but nothing more.  The doctors have tested for mono, pneumonia, lyme disease - all which were negative.  What could possibly be wrong?  He has no other symptoms aside from the high fever. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Oliver5]

Yes, he has had a few urine cultures.  Ones in the past were normal. Most current one done,however,showed a slight trace of blood.  Will be retaking culture this week.

He has also had blood tests done(one indicated an infection diagnosed as strep), chest x-rays (normal result), and head x-ray (indicated a sinus infection).  Nothing accurate or conclusive has resulted from tests. He has been treated for each diagnosis(with antibiotics), gets well (episodes in between the time he gets fevers are illness free) and then gets sick (feverish) again.

Based on testing done by doctors, we get a different diagnosis each time he gets sick/fevers.  The only common symptoms are the fevers (very high), occasional headache (probably associated with the fever) and that he is low in iron (which probably isn't even a symptom, just thought it was worth mentioning).

Today when I looked in his throat, he had white dots on his tonsils.  Could his sickness be related to tonsils or even adnoids?

Thanks for your help.

[ozark]

has he had a urine culture done?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The strep and sinus infections themselves can lead to recurring infections.  I would assume that this has been ruled out.

Recurrent fever in children can have many causes.  I would suggest a broad workup including blood cultures, sedimentaion/ANA levels (looking for possible rheumatological disease), imaging studies (chest and abdomen CT), PPD testing (for tuberculosis) and an HIV test.  

These tests can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with an infectious disease evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_