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Fever

FEVER

What is a fever? — A fever is a rise in body temperature that goes above a certain level. The level that is considered a fever depends on how you take the temperature. Here are the values that are considered a fever:

  • Rectal temperature above      100.4ºF (38ºC)
  • Oral temperature above 100ºF      (37.8ºC)
  • Armpit temperature above      99ºF (37.2ºC)
  • Ear temperature above      100.4ºF (38ºC) in rectal mode or 99.5ºF (37.5ºC) in oral mode
  • Forehead temperature above      100.4ºF (38ºC)

Armpit, ear, and forehead temperatures are easier to measure than rectal or oral temperatures, but they are not as accurate. Even so, the height of the temperature is less important than how sick your child seems to you. If you think your child has a fever, and he or she seems sick, your doctor or nurse might want you to double-check the temperature with an oral or rectal reading.

What is the best way to take my child’s temperature? — The most accurate way is to take a rectal temperature

Mouth temperatures are also reliable when done in children who are least 4 years old. Here is the right way to take a mouth temperature:

  • Wait at least 30 minutes      after your child has drunk or eaten anything hot or cold.
  • Wash the thermometer with      cool water and soap. Then rinse it.
  • Place the tip of the      thermometer under your child’s tongue toward the back. Ask your child to      hold the thermometer with his or her lips, not teeth.
  • Have your child keep his or      her lips sealed around the thermometer. A glass thermometer takes about 3      minutes to work. Most digital thermometers take less than 1 minute.

Armpit, ear (and forehead temperatures are not as accurate as rectal or oral temperatures.

What causes fever? — The most common cause of fever in children is infection. For example, children can get a fever if they have:

  • A cold or the flu
  • An airway infection, such as      croup or bronchiolitis
  • A stomach bug

In some cases, children get a fever after getting a vaccine.

Should I take my child to see a doctor or nurse? — You should take your child to a doctor or nurse if he or she is:

  • Younger than 3 months and      has a rectal temperature of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher. Your infant should      see a doctor or nurse even if he or she looks normal or seems fine.
  • Between 3 and 36 months and      has a rectal temperature of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher for more than 3 days.      Go right away of your child seems sick or is fussy, clingy, or refuses to      drink fluids.
  • Between 3 and 36 months old      and has a rectal temperature of 102ºF (38.9ºC) or higher.

Children of any age should also see a doctor or nurse if they have:

  • Oral, rectal, ear, or      forehead temperature of 104ºF (40ºC) or higher
  • Armpit temperature of 103ºF      (39.4ºC) or higher
  • A seizure caused by a fever
  • Fevers that keep coming back      (even if they last only a few hours)
  • A fever as well as an      ongoing medical problem, such as heart disease, cancer, lupus, or sickle      cell anemia
  • A fever as well as a new      skin rash

What can I do to help my child feel better? — You can:

  • Offer your child lots of      fluids to drink. Call the doctor or nurse if your child won’t or can’t      drink fluids for more than a few hours.
  • Encourage your child to rest      as much as he or she wants. But don’t force your child to sleep or rest.      (Your child can go back to school or regular activities after he or she      has had a normal temperature for 24 hours.)

Some parents give their children sponge baths to cool them down, but that is not usually necessary. It is never a good idea to cool a child down with any kind of alcohol.

How are fevers treated? — That depends on what is causing the fever. Many children do not need treatment. Those who do might need:

  • Antibiotics to fight the      infection causing the fever. But antibiotics work only on infections      caused by bacteria, not on infections caused by viruses. For example,      antibiotics will NOT work on a cold.
  • Medicines, such as Panado or      ibuprofen (sample brand names: Neurofen) can      help bring down a fever. But these medicines are not always necessary. For      instance, a child older than 3 months who has a temperature of less than      102ºF (38.9ºC), and who is otherwise healthy and acting normally, does not      need treatment.

If you do not know how best to handle your child’s fever, call his or her nurse or doctor.

NEVER give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years old. Aspirin can cause a dangerous condition called Reye syndrome.