Recurrent high fevers and white blood cell count

[mommyof two]

Hello, my niece is 16 months old.  Every 3-6 weeks, she will spike a high fever and the doctor will check her blood and say that her white count is high.  He will send us on with antibiotics.  We have no answers on why this continues to happen?  We are considering a second opinion and a spinal tap.  What do you think?  What is wrong with her?

[inneedofananswer]

What ended up happening in this case?  I am a mother of an 8 month old, with reocurring fever that spikes every 3-6 weeks and no UTI present?  I read this forum and am wondering what happened and if we might be experiencing something of similar condition.

[sweetnshyisme]

I have had chronic pain/fever and an elevated white blood count for a month or so now. I went to the E.R. bent over,almost a 103 fever and they did a catscan lower intestinal/bowel and they have found nothing. What I'm reading here and other places,,could it be my ovaries? Seems like after making love to my husband this occurs. Any imput would greatly be appreciated.

[sk2006a]

glad to hear you have an appt with an infectious disease doc.  my mother has had one take over her care, and i can't say enough good things about him!  best wishes :)

[mommyof two]

No, it is not a UTI.  It is something alot more serious.  We have made an appointment to see an Infectious Disease Doctor.  Thank you for your input.

[GravesLady]

Has bacteremia, infection of the blood and meningitis been considered/ruled out. Bacteremia can be quite serious, depending on the particular bacteria involved, and it can lead to all sorts of complications. The bacteria swimming around in the bloodstream can be carried to all sorts of targets, from bones to spinal fluid. There is no way to tell for sure by looking at a feverish child whether the child indeed has bacteremia. Blood has to be cultured, analyzed in the lab for two or three days, before one can see whether bacteria are growing in it.

Causes of bacteraemia and meningitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B treptococcus, Neisseria meningitides, Salmonella spp, Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes.

It is suggested that if a child shows Toxic manifestations as a clinical appearance consistent with the sepsis syndrome, that is, lethargy, poor perfusion, marked hypoventilation or hyperventilation, or cyanosis, the child should be admitted to a hospital, be evaluated for possible sepsis or meningitis, and receive antimicrobial treatment. A full work up for sepsis includes, Full blood count with manual differential, Blood culture, Urine analysis and urine culture (using a transurethral catheter or suprapubic tap), Lumbar puncture for analysis and culture of cerebrospinal fluid,Stool culture and faecal white blood cell count for diarrhoea, Chest radiography.



Good Luck.

[sk2006a]

doesn't he give you a reason for suspected infection, such as a UTI?