Fever Facts

• Infants and children with overwhelming infections may be unable to generate a fever  which  will help fight the infection. Although they may not have a fever they will look and act very sick.

• A child with a fever who is active and eating and is in no distress does not need fever treatment. Fever is part of the body’s defense system and shortens the course of viral infections. Children usually tolerate temperatures up to 102 degrees without much difficulty. Fever medicine can be used to lessen aches and pains, but there should not be a vigorous attempt to bring and maintain the body temperature to normal.

• A temperature of 99 degrees should not be considered a fever. After vigorous activity on a hot day the body temperature may be even higher then 99 degrees. With rest the temperature may come down.  A child’s temperature will vary during the day.  It is usually lower on awakening and is higher at the end of the day from the heat generated by activity and digestion of meals.

What are the causes?

• Most fevers are caused by viral or bacterial infections.

Possible Signs or Symptoms

• Warm or hot to touch.
• May complain of feeling hot or cold.
• Sweating.
• Shivering.
• Some children with high fevers may have hallucinations or convulsions.

See a Doctor If...

• Any child age 4 months or younger  has an elevated temperature (100.4 or higher)
• Your child has a fever AND  has any of the following:  listlessness, has no appetite, has poor color, difficulty breathing, frequent vomiting, has a headache or abdominal pain, has a rash or YOU are concerned about child’s illness.
• If the a rash is purple call the doctor immediately!
• The fever has persisted for several days.
• Your child has had a febrile seizure
• The fever does not respond to medication (Ibuprofen or acetaminophen) or sponging with tepid water.

What is the treatment ?

• Use of medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminaphen in recommended doses may help relieve the discomfort of aches and pains. The primary goal should be to help your child feel more comfortable rather than trying to maintain a normal temperature.
• While there is some evidence that combination therapy (alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen) may be more effective at lowering body temperature, questions remain about whether it is safe and whether it helps children feel more comfortable. Combination therapy also increases the risk of inaccurate dosing.
• Maintain appropriate fluid intake.
• Your child does not need to be awakened to administer a fever-reducer.
• Since there will be numerous times in childhood when a fever does occur, the most important thing to remember is that fever really is a friend and not something to be feared. Dress your child in loose clothes, use a cool wash cloth and give cool drinks.

You may also be interested in...

• Febrile seizures
• As many as one out of ten children may experience a convulsion or seizure with a fever.
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• Ear infections or otitis media
• Among the most common illnesses of childhood are middle ear infections or otitis media.
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• Medicine - how to give your child medicine
• Here are some tips for giving your child medicine.
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• Taking your child's temperature
• Here is a guide to taking your child's temperature:
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