Viral infections?

If a doctor had told you that your child has a viral infection, what exactly does that mean? I mean how is it contracted? How do you get rid of it?

Here's the story and not really sure what is going on. I had to pick up my daughter yesterday evening from daycare because she had a 102 fever and was grunting as if she was having trouble breathing. I called her doctor and we were sent to their after hours clinic to be checked out. We got there and her fever was 103. She was just miserable and droopy and dosing off and on. They checked her oxygen level and it was fine. They did a CBC panel and it came back normal. So, the doctor on call, came to terms that it was a "viral infection" and told me to give her Motrin and Tylenol and alternate the two every 6 and 4 hours.

I guess I'm just confused between "viral" and "bacterial". I mean bacterial you can have an antibiotic. Is that not the case with a viral?? I just feel bad for my little girl because she just isn't herself.

She has her 1 year check up in the morning, but was hoping to get some kind of an idea of what I'm looking at. How long does the "viral" thing last??

Karine

 With viral an antibiotic won't work. You just have to watch her closely and make sure she is getting lots of fluids and treat the fever with if it gets past 102. I've seen viral infections last from a couple of days to around five days with my kids. Keep in mind that the flu is a virus.

Melanie

Ugh! I didn't think about the flu. How is a child tested for that? Is it by swab of the mouth or blood test??

If they are tracking it they will swab their nose. But at this point most doctors are just diagnosing by symptoms.

Actually, they don't want you to even bring your child in unless they are showing more severe symptoms like trouble breathing or lips turning blue or signs of dehydration. They want you to just treat your child at home so that other people aren't infected. Besides, there is nothing they can do unless there are severe symptoms.

My kids just got over what is assumed to be H1N1. They are 8 and 6. It was about 5-6 days of high fevers and coughing and sore throats They are doing much better now.

Melanie

Thanks Melanie for the input! I hope its nothing major for her.  :)

Viral- you just have to wait it out.  Any child being sick sucks.  I know my daughter was take home from daycare with a 101 fever (we decided to pick her up), and for several days it ran 100-102.  We just tried to keep her comfie and very hydrated.  She was declining food at points.  I could just look at her and see how sick she was...it breaks a moms heart.  I hope she's better ASAP- I want to say Sophie was bad for 3-4 days. 

its just a different type of infection... same concept.... contracted same way as bacterial... it unforunally just has to run its course.. jayson got over the flu a few months back... the dr said not to worry to much about fever unless its over 103.. said its thier little bodies fighting and that they can run fevers much higher then adults and be just fine... that being said i still gave him meds to keep the body aches to a min... i hope she feels better soon and no one else gets the cooties

Hannah has had several viral infections.   They are terrible.   One thing that seems to help her is a prescription drug called tana-hist.  It helps dry up the gunk that she always seems to have with a viral infection.   Hannah is typically sick about 5-7 days with one, but only really fussy for a couple of those days.    I hope she feels better soon.  I know it's hard having a sick little one!
Amy