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We haven't been diagnosed with yet, but I am determined to

find an answer to my daughter 's (3 yrs) persistant fever. We

are forever being told that she has a virus, that kids can have 7 -

10 viruses a year. We are told it's just one of those things, or

that kids run higher temps than adults. 's first unexplained

fever can at 7 weeks of age. We were out of state visiting my in-

laws when she became very lethargic and her temperature was over

103. We rushed her to the ER and after hours of waiting were told

it was most likely a bladder infection. The nursed collected urine

via a bag- which I later found out wasn't the greatest way to

collect uring on someone wearing a diaper. Nevertheless, they said

it was a bladder infection and we should follow up with our

pediatrician for the urine culture. The urine culture was negative

and we were told it was most likely a virus. The same scenerio of

bladder infection then virus diagnosis repeated at 3 months and 5

months. After that I refused the cath to test her urine. She

continued her fevers every 4-6 weeks. Also, she had began to have

terrible ear infections. She had tubes put in her ears at 7 months.

After that, we found a new pediatrician.

At about a year, I noticed that her fevers were very systematic in

the way they progressed during an episode- they still occur in this

exact manner. My noramlly content, playful child becomes fussy and

easily aggitated. I know it's about to start. She will run a lower

fever of 101 or 102 the next day and stops eating. By the afternoon

of the next day, she becomes very sleepy and spikes a 104 -105

fever. She becomes unresponsive, she has dark circles, sunken glazed

eyes, moans and trembles during the high spikes. The high fevers

last 2 days and nights, dropping and rising highest at night. The

4th day the fevers go back to a low grade. They then go away on the

5th day and her appetite returns.

After her first birthday, we did lots ER visits and followed up with

our pediatrician. Our new pediatrician decided to treat each fever

with antibiotics, but thought the same: virus. He also advised me

to take her out of the day-care center, fearing she had a weaker

immune system and was being overly exposed. I reduced my hours at

work and found an older lady from our church to watch her 2 days a

week. Her fevers spaced out to almost every 6-7 weeks. That year

was so busy for us. I started my business, we moved, and had

another baby shortly after turned two. All the while, the

doctors kept saying it was a virus. She also started having rashes,

covering her entire body or just her trunk. The rashes are never the

same- sometimes they are splotchy and sometime have colorless

bumps,sometimes there are colorless bumps in the bright red

splotches. We took her to an allergist and she tested negative for

everything. We changed Pediatricians a third time seeking someone

to listen to us. Around that time, I noticed canker sores in her

mouth. After several episodes of fever, I began to see that they

coincided with the fevers.

I had searched every possible way online, looking for some type of

explanation. Finally, searching for " recurring fevers and canker

sores " pulled up . I talked to her doctor about last

week when her fever soared to 106 and showed him the canker sores.

He had never heard of condition. He openly said that he feels it is

most likely a virus. I know he ordered the tests to appease me. But

I refuse to accept " virus " any longer. We were sent for a chest xray

and multiple blood tests last week. I know there is no cure for

, but I just want a diagnosis. I want a name to call this

misery that takes hold of my babygirl so often. I don't know enough

about this to know what type of doctor to see, who can help us or

where to go next. That's why we are here- to get answers and help!

Hoping to learn more-

Shanna

Mom to Jack, & Spencer

andria, Louisiana