Question
The baby said his stomach hurt two days ago, and he started to have a fever that night. On the third day, after a thorough examination at the hospital, an ultrasound showed enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, with a routine blood count of 32.94 white blood cells. After two days of injections, he still has a fever and abdominal pain at home, with a low fever reaching up to 40.5 degrees. What should I do?
Answer
Beyond concerns? Immediate hospitalization is necessary. With such a high body temperature, there’s a risk of high fever seizures. With such elevated blood counts, it should not be waited for at home. Firstly, the possibility of pediatric acute appendicitis should be ruled out, as it can be very dangerous for children to develop acute appendicitis. Simple cold or abdominal lymph node enlargement would not cause blood counts to exceed 30,000. The unit of your mentioned blood count is unclear. If it’s over 32, it could indicate an elevated lymphocyte count, suggesting a viral infection. In any case, immediate medical treatment is required.