Diary 84: My Son’s Fever

While I was away in Sabah from 10-13 May 2010, my nine-year old son was down with fever. It was too far for me to do anything except advising my wife to be patient.

As usual, my wife did not send him to the clinic. She just let him resting at home. No schooling. Health is too important in life. Give him fresh fruit juice, coconut water and warm water to cool down his body temperature. My wife massaged him before and after work. I am grateful to her for doing all these.

By the time I was back home at mid night on 13 May 2010, his fever did not show sign of significant recovery. My wife was too tired. My mother-in-law who is staying with us got worried.

Did his fever cause by virus? The elder began to be doubtful about our approach of handling fever.

By 16 May 2010, his body temperature fluctuated between 37 and 39.5 degree Celcius. The elder suggested that we should send him to the clinic.

My wife discussed the suggestion with me. I told her our son would be OK soon. He is not brought up like other children who take unhealthy foods much of the time. Afterall, having fever is part of the process of growing up. We should not lose confidence when handling children’s fever. She was reminded of our daughter who experienced 23 days of fever where her body temperature also flectuated between 37 and 39.5 degree Celcius some years ago. She passed the test of not taking any medicine.

This morning (17 May 2010), our son woke up as usual and went to school. He did not want to miss the Teachers’ Day celebration. He was OK after returning home in the afternoon. We are keeping a close watch on him as we do not want the fever to recur.