When the thermometer spikes, the loneliness of motherhood sets in. Here is how Coastal Bend parents can tell a normal immune response from a true medical emergency, and when to seek local care.
As a pediatrician in the Coastal Bend, I can calmly explain that a fever is actually a sign of a healthy body fighting an infection.
But as a mom, I’ve been up at 2 AM, holding a warm forehead and watching the clock, praying for the medicine to kick in while I watch them shiver.
It is a lonely, exhausting place to be, and the weight of that responsibility can feel crushing in the dark.
The exhaustion of those sick days is real, and the worry can feel constant, especially when you're running on three hours of sleep.
I know the overwhelming feeling of wiping up vomit and changing sheets for the fourth time while your heart breaks for your little guy who just wants to feel better.
I see the doubt that creeps in when the thermometer keeps rising.
For older kids, focus on their behavior rather than just the number.
Are they hydrated?
Are they alert?
This intellectual understanding doesn't always calm the storm, but I hope it gives you a tiny bit of ground to stand on.
I see you in those quiet, scary hours, doing the most important work in the world.
You’re doing an incredible job in the trenches of motherhood, and you are not alone in that chaos.
Dr. Camilla Gupta is a board-certified pediatrician at ABC Pediatrics in Corpus Christi, TX.
Visit her main website to book a prenatal visit, transfer care or book an appointment.