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- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Fever in Children
Fever is present in the course of many childhood illnesses. Fever is usually a sign of illness, but the fever itself is rarely harmful unless the temperature is over 106° F. The body's thermostat generally keeps the body temperature below 106° F. Normal body temperature is 98.6° F (37° C), but the body temperature can normally vary between 97° F and 100° F. Fever is defined as a rectal temperature above 100.4° F (38° C), an oral temperature above 100° F, or an axillary (underarm) temperature above 99° F.
If your child is acting ill or feels warm to touch, you may take the temperature using a digital, mercury, or tympanic thermometer. Digital thermometers are slightly more expensive than mercury thermometers, but easier to read, faster, and less fragile. Tympanic thermometers are faster, but they must be placed correctly to be accurate and they can be quite expensive. When taking the temperature in children less than five years of age, an axillary (underarm) or tympanic temperature may be obtained. Your doctor may ask you to confirm a fever with a rectal temperature. In children more than five years of age, an oral or tympanic temperature can be obtained.
Home treatment for fever in children:
- Offer extra fluids to the child. Fever increases normal fluid losses.
- Dress the child lightly to allow extra body heat to escape through the skin.
- Treat with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) if the temperature is above 101.5° F-102° F and the child is uncomfortable or breathing heavily. Do not use aspirin unless recommended by the pediatrician.
- If the temperature is greater than 104° F, or the child is unable to take medication for fever, you may sponge the child in a tub or sink with lukewarm (not cold) water. Do not sponge with alcohol, it can be inhaled and can cause coma or seizure.
Call the pediatrician immediately if:
- Your child is less than two months old with fever.
- Fever is more than 105° F.
- Your child is crying and cannot be consoled.
- Your child is difficult to awaken, confused or delirious.
- Your child has a seizure or convulsion.
- Your child has a stiff neck.
- Your child has purple spots on the skin.
- Breathing is difficult or your child is acting very ill.
Call the pediatrician during regular office hours if:
- Fever has been present for more than 24 hours without an obvious cause or location of infection.
- You are concerned.
