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Fever

It’s natural to worry when your child develops a fever – after all, fevers have been known to cause all sorts of complications – but in most cases, a childhood fever is nothing to worry about. In fact, a fever is actually evidence that your child’s body is doing its job: Raising the body temperature, which signals white blood cells to attack whatever has invaded the body.
Definition: A fever is defined as ≥ 100.4° Fahrenheit or ≥ 38° Celsius

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How can I tell whether my child has a fever?

Are there medications that can reduce my child’s fever?

What should I do if my child has a fever?

CAUSES

The causes of fevers vary dramatically, but are usually not serious. Some causes of childhood fever include:

Viral infection
Bacterial infection
Heat exhaustion
Severe sunburn
Certain medications
Certain immunizations

Occasionally, the cause of a fever cannot be readily identified. If your child exhibits no other symptoms, is alert and engaged, and has been thoroughly examined by her pediatrician, the doctor may diagnose a fever of unknown origin that requires no further action.

TREATMENT

In some cases, your child may not need any treatment beyond careful observation and fluids to prevent dehydration. If there is an underlying infection, allowing the fever to run its course may actually help by strengthening your child’s immune system.

Children don’t automatically need a fever reducer if they have a temperature. Look at the child, not the thermometer. If the fever is bothering the child, treat with ibuprofen or Tylenol. If not bothering them, it is okay to monitor it
Ibuprofen (for children > 6 months of age) or acetaminophen
Dress your child in lightweight, breathable clothing
Have your child drink Pedialyte or other rehydration drinks in order to replenish vital minerals that he/she may have lost

SYMPTOMS

A common childhood fever may be accompanied by a host of other symptoms or none at all. Low-grade fevers (those below 103° F) may be accompanied by:

Sweating
Shivering
Headache
Muscle aches
Loss of appetite
Dehydration
Weakness

High-grade fevers (between 103°F and 106°F) tend to be more serious and may be accompanied by:

Hallucination
Confusion
Irritability
Seizures/Convulsions

Contact your doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms:

A parent’s immediate response to their child’s fever should vary depending on the child’s age. Keep in mind that a temperature a degree above or below the “normal” 98.6° F is not, considered a fever, since body temperature changes throughout the day and every individual is different.

When to be concerned. Some guidelines.

For infants/babies:

0-3 months: Rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher or < 97° F (Should seek medical attention immediately)
3-6 months: Temperature is 102° F or higher and accompanied by irritability, lethargy, or discomfort (Needs to be evaluated)
6-24 months: Temperature is 102°F or higher for more than 48 hours (Needs to be evaluated)

For children over 2 years:

Exhibiting listlessness or irritability
Vomiting
Fever lasts longer than three days
Exhibiting poor eye contact and responsiveness

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