Fever in Children

Fever in Children

A fever is an increase in the body’s temperature. A fever often means a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher. If your child is older than three months, a brief mild or moderate fever often has no long-term effect. It also usually does not need treatment.

If your child is younger than three months and has a fever, there may be a serious problem. Sometimes, a high fever in babies and toddlers can lead to a seizure (febrile seizure). Your child may not have enough fluid in his or her body (be dehydrated) because sweating that may happen with:

• Fevers that happen again and again.
• Fevers that last a while.

You can take your child’s temperature with a thermometer to see if he or she has a fever. A measured temperature can change with:

• Age.
• Time of day.
• Where the thermometer is placed:
  • Mouth (oral).
  • Rectum (rectal). This is the most accurate.
  • Ear (tympanic).
  • Underarm (axillary).
  • Forehead (temporal).

Follow these instructions at home:

• Pay attention to any changes in your child’s symptoms.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s doctor. Be careful to follow dosing instructions from your child’s doctor.
  • Do notgive your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome.
• If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it only as told by your child’s doctor. Do notstop giving your child the antibiotic even if he or she starts to feel better.
• Have your child rest as needed.
• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
• Sponge or bathe your child with room-temperature water to help reduce body temperature as needed. Do notuse ice water.
• Do notcover your child in too many blankets or heavy clothes.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your child throws up (vomits).
• Your child has watery poop (diarrhea).
• Your child has pain when he or she pees.
• Your child’s symptoms do not get better with treatment.
• Your child has new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your child becomes limp or floppy.
• Your child wheezes or is short of breath.
• Your child has:
  • A rash.
  • A stiff neck.
  • A very bad headache.
• Your child has a seizure.
• Your child is dizzy or your child passes out (faints).
• Your child has very bad pain in the belly (abdomen).
• Your child keeps throwing up or having watery poop.
• Your child has signs of not having enough fluid in his or her body (dehydration), such as:
  • A dry mouth.
  • Peeing less.
  • Looking pale.
• Your child has a very bad cough or a cough that makes mucus or phlegm.