Fever is the body’s natural response to infection, and need not be treated unless the child is irritable or uncomfortable. Indeed, many illnesses may pass more quickly if we avoid “fever phobia” and let the child run some degree of fever. Most fevers in children are caused by viruses. If your child is less than two months of age and is running a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees rectally, you must call our office immediately – this could be a sign of a serious infection.
For infants through age 6 months, the preferred method for measuring temperature is a rectal thermometer. If you are not comfortable with this method or if your infant is older than 6 months, you may take the temperature under the arm. Ear or temporal thermometers are fairly accurate for children over two years of age.
If your child is irritable or uncomfortable with the fever, or if the temperature is over 102 degrees, acetaminophen (Tylenol) will probably help. Refer to the dosing chart in your Baby Book or the All Star Website. If the acetaminophen doesn’t seem to be helping after a few hours, or if your child is achy or experiencing flu-like symptoms, you may try ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil.) Your child must be at least six months of age to be given ibuprofen. For higher or more persistent fevers, some families find that alternating Tylenol with Ibuprofen every 3 hrs can be helpful to all their child to feel better.
Remember fever is a good thing 😊 It means the immune system and the body are responding appropriately! Fever is a friend, it just makes our children feel not themselves.
When a child is running a fever, it is best to encourage cool liquids and dress him or her as lightly as is comfortable. If a fever is greater than 103 degrees and acetaminophen and ibuprofen are not working, you may try a warm sponge bath to remove some heat from the body. Never use cool water or rubbing alcohol. Remember—high fever does not cause brain damage or any long-term harm!
Also, don’t expect the temperature to return to normal after a dose of fever reducing medicine, and don’t be surprised if the fever returns or “spikes” again a few hours after the medicine is given.
Parents often ask when they should call about a fever. Our answer is based not on the degree of fever, but on the other symptoms associated with the illness. A fever of 104 degrees in a child who is smiling and drinking fluids is less concerning than a fever of 102 degrees in a child who is listless and quite ill appearing.
Remember, its not as much about the “number” but more about how your child looks. The bottom line is to trust your own instincts.
