Fever (Age 0-5)

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Definition

  • Your child has a fever if:
  • Rectal, Ear or Forehead temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
  • Oral or Mouth temperature: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher
  • Under the arm (Armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher
  • Caution: Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age
  • Excluded Age: birth to 3 months. These babies need to be seen if they have fever.

Call or Return If

  • Age under 3 months
  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Any serious symptoms occur, such as trouble breathing
  • Fever goes above 104° F (40° C)
  • Fever without other symptoms lasts more than 24 hours and age less than 2 years
  • Fever lasts more than 3 days (72 hours)
  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Your child becomes worse

About This Topic

Causes

  • Main cause: colds and other viral infections.
  • Fever may be the only symptom for the first 24 hours. This often occurs with a viral illness. The start of symptoms (runny nose, cough, loose stools) is often delayed. In the case of Roseola, fever may be the only symptom for 2 or 3 days.
  • Most often, you won't know the cause of the fever until other symptoms develop. This may take 24 hours.
  • Bacterial infections (as with a Strep throat or a kidney infection) also cause fever.
  • Teething does not cause fever.

Fever and Crying

  • Fever on its own shouldn't cause much crying.
  • Frequent crying in a child with fever is caused by pain until proven otherwise.
  • Hidden causes can be ear infections, kidney infections, and sore throats.

Normal Temperature Range

  • Rectal or Forehead. A reading of 98.6° F (37° C) is just the average temp. A normal low can be 96.8° F (36° C) in the morning. It can change to a high of 100.3° F (37.9° C) late in the day. This is a normal range.
  • By mouth. A reading of 97.6° F (36.5° C) is just the average mouth temp. A normal low can be 95.8° F (35.5° C) in the morning. It can change to a high of 99.9° F (37.7° C) late in the day. This is a normal range.

After Care Advice

Overview:
  • Having a fever means your child has a new infection.
  • It's most likely caused by a virus.
  • You may not know the cause of the fever until other symptoms develop. This may take 24 hours.
  • For sick children, most fevers are good. They help the body fight infection.
  • Use the ranges below to help put your child's level of fever into perspective:
  • 100°-102°F (37.8°- 39°C) Low grade fevers: Helpful. Don't treat.
  • 102°-104°F (39°- 40°C) Moderate fevers: Still helpful. Treat if causes discomfort.
  • 104°-105°F (40°- 40.6°C) High fevers: Always treat. Some patients need to be seen.
  • Over 105°F (40.6°C) Less than 1% of fevers go this high. All these patients need to be examined. Always treat the fever.
Fever Medicine:
  • Fevers only need to be treated with medicine if they cause discomfort. That means fevers above 102°F (39°C).
  • Also use for shivering (shaking chills). Shivering means the fever is going up.
  • Give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil). See the Dose Tables.
  • Goal of treatment: Bring the temperature down to a "good fever" level (100-102°F). Most often, the fever meds lower the fever by 2° to 3°F (1 - 1.5°C). They do not bring it down to normal. Also, it takes 1 to 2 hours to see the effect.
  • Do not use aspirin. Reason: Risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious brain disease.
  • Children do not need to take both acetaminophen and ibuprofen together.
Treatment for All Fevers - Extra Fluids:
  • Fluids alone can lower the fever. Reason: Being well hydrated helps the body give off heat through the skin.
  • Offer your child extra water or other fluids by mouth. Cold fluids are better. Until 6 months old, only give extra formula or breastmilk.
  • For all children, dress in 1 layer of clothing, unless shivering. Reason: Also helps heat loss from the skin.
  • Caution: If a baby under 1 year has a fever, never overdress or bundle up. Reason: Babies can get over-heated more easily than older children.
  • For fevers 100°-102° F (37.8° - 39°C), fever meds are not needed. Fevers of this level turn on the immune system. They help the body fight the infection.
  • Exception: If you feel your child also has pain, treat it as needed.
Warm Clothes for Shivering:
  • Shivering means your child's temperature is trying to go up.
  • It will continue until the fever levels off, usually at 104 F or lower.
  • Wrap your child in a blanket until he stops shivering.
Sponging:
  • Note: Sponging is an option for high fevers, but rarely needed.
  • When to Use: Fever above 104° F (40° C) AND doesn't lower with fever meds. Always give the fever med 1 hour or more to work first.
  • How to Sponge: Use lukewarm water (85 - 90° F) (29.4 - 32.2° C). Sponge for 20-30 minutes.
  • If your child shivers or becomes cold, stop sponging. Other option: You can also make the water warmer.
  • Caution: Do not use rubbing alcohol. Reason: Can cause a coma.
What to Expect:
  • Most fevers with viral illnesses range between 101° and 104° F (38.4° and 40° C).
  • They may last for 2 or 3 days.
  • Again, fevers at this level are not harmful.
Return to School:
  • Your child can return to school after the fever is gone.
  • Your child should feel well enough to join in normal activities.

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP Copyright

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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