If Your Child Has a Fever

Frequently Asked Questions About Fever

How can I tell whether my baby has a fever?
My baby feels warm to the touch. Does she have a fever?
When does my baby’s immune system develop more fully?
Will my baby’s fever affect his eating?
Is it normal for my baby to run a fever when she’s teething?
When should I call the doctor?
If fever is a defense against infection, is it really a good idea to try to bring it down?
Which fever-reducing medicines are safe for my baby?
Are there other ways to bring my baby’s fever down?
Will a bath help lower my child’s fever?
Why does my baby’s fever keep coming back?
My baby has a fever and no other symptoms. What’s wrong?
How can I tell whether or not my child has a fever?
What are some of the possible causes for my child’s fever?
What are common symptoms of a fever in children?

How can I tell whether my baby has a fever?
Kiss or touch your baby’s forehead. If you think he feels hotter than normal, you’re probably right. A fever is usually a sign that the body is waging a war against infection. Taking your baby’s temperature can confirm your suspicions and help you and your child’s doctor figure out the best way to get your baby back on the road to health. Most doctors — and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — agree that a normal body temperature for a healthy baby is between 97 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (36 to 38 degrees Celsius). If your baby’s temperature is above this range, he has a fever. – As recommended by BabyCenter.com

My baby feels warm to the touch. Does she have a fever?
Not necessarily. Babies up to four months old don’t control their body temperatures as well as older children. Becoming too warm is often related to how warmly they are dressed. If your baby feels warm to the touch but cools down quickly when unbundled, and is otherwise acting well, chances are it isn’t a true fever or cause for concern. The only sure way to know if she has a fever is to take her temperature. – As recommended by Dr Spock

When does my baby’s immune system develop more fully?
Dr. Spock says that somewhere around six months of age, your baby’s immune system becomes more fully developed, and she will start to fight infections more effectively. She considers four to nine months a transitional period when fevers in otherwise healthy babies (they’re eating well and not acting sick) don’t automatically require a phone call to the doctor. However, most healthcare professionals will still use a little extra caution when evaluating babies this age.

Will my baby’s fever affect his eating?
Many babies start eating baby cereal and foods by around six months of age. For some babies, having a fever may not affect their fluid or food intake, and this is very reassuring. It is very common, however, for babies who develop fevers with viral infections at this age to lose interest in solid foods until they feel better. There’s no need to focus on how much solid food your baby eats while she has a fever and cold.

However, keeping track of your baby’s fluid intake is very important when she has a fever. Pay attention to how much and how often your baby is drinking compared to her normal intake.

Fever, as well as vomiting and diarrhea, can lead to dehydration. Even if they do not have vomiting or diarrhea, babies can become dehydrated more quickly than larger children and adults. Offer more frequent breast- or bottle-feedings and pay close attention to whether your baby starts to urinate less often, as this can be a sign of dehydration. Be sure to discuss with your baby’s healthcare provider any concerns you may have. – As per Dr Spock

Is it normal for my baby to run a fever when she’s teething?
According to www.BabySlumber.com, when your baby’s teeth start emerging from the gums, you’ll notice that she may be feeling a little off color from her normal self. Some babies experience very few troubling symptoms whereas others suffer each time a tooth emerges, until it’s safely through. When you notice a low-grade fever, it could mean that she is teething, but it could also be an indicator that something else is going on, such as a viral infection, so it’s important to rule out other possibilities before simply accepting that it’s a teething issue.

Some doctors are reluctant to agree that teething causes a rise in body temperature since there seems to be no genuine correlation. However, ask a parent who has been kept awake in the night with a feverish baby who develops no other viral symptoms, but pops a tooth, and you’re bound to receive a different answer entirely.

The truth is, children develop temperatures for a variety of reasons. A fever is a body’s natural response to something that is upsetting the normal balance of things in the body, and given that children have such small bodies, it’s no wonder that a fever will take hold to try to rid it of any potential for illness. Parents commonly worry about fevers and panic. They go into damage control and try to bring the fever down at any cost, but it’s important to remember that fevers are a protective mechanism; more the policeman than the culprit.

As for a low-grade fever, it is ‘normal’ when teething, well you may not receive a definitive response from a medical professional. In such cases, they may simply reassure you that the fever is nothing to worry about knowing that the child is teething and provide advice on what to do about the teething issues in general.

A low-grade fever is categorized as temperatures ranging from 100.4 F (38 C) to 102 F (39 C). Whether or not you use a thermometer is up to you, but parents are generally good at knowing if their child feels unusually hot or not.

If the symptoms, including the fever, remain mild and don’t worsen over a few hours, then there is usually nothing to be concerned about. However, if you need more reassurance, you must see a medical professional, even if purely for your own peace of mind. No one can blame a parent for caring.

To remedy the temperature, simply administer baby formulations of mild pain relievers and always follow the correct dosage. Try to make baby as comfortable as possible and avoid panicking, even though this is difficult when your child is screaming and appears to be suffering.

When should I call the doctor?
You’re the best judge of whether your baby is really ill, so call if you’re worried, no matter what his temperature is.

A temperature reading isn’t the only indication of whether a fever is serious. Your baby’s age is a factor (fever is more serious in babies under 3 months), as is his behavior (a high fever that doesn’t stop him from playing and feeding normally may not be cause for alarm).

Keep in mind that everyone’s temperature rises in the late afternoon and early evening and falls between midnight and early morning. The natural cycle of our internal thermostat explains why doctors get most of their phone calls about fever in the late afternoon and early evening.

Ask your baby’s doctor when she’d like you to call if your baby has a fever. Common guidelines are:

• If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher, call the doctor immediately. A baby this young needs to be checked for serious infection or disease.

• For a baby between 3 and 6 months old, call if his temperature reaches 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) or higher.

• If your baby is 6 months or older, call if his fever reaches 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) or higher.

When you call, the doctor will probably ask you about other symptoms. The most important thing is how your baby looks and acts — if he has lost his appetite, has little energy, is noticeably pale or flushed, or is extremely irritable and can’t be consoled, or if you notice other changes in his behavior and appearance.

Be sure to mention other symptoms, too, such as a cough, signs of ear pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. These can help the doctor make a diagnosis. She will then tell you how to care for your baby and whether you need to come into the office.

Be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms, which could indicate a more serious problem when coupled with a fever:

• Your baby has small, purple-red spots on his skin that don’t turn white or paler when you press on them, or he has large purple blotches. Both of these can signal a very serious bacterial infection.

• Your baby is having difficulty breathing (working harder to breathe or breathing faster than usual) even after you clear his nose with a bulb syringe. This could indicate pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

Answers provided by - FamilyDoctor.org and BabyCenter.com

When should I try to lower my child’s fever?
Fevers are a sign that the body is fighting an infection, so you may want to avoid giving medicine if your child is running a low-grade (up to 100.2°F) fever. The main reason to treat your child is to make him or her feel better. When your child is achy and fussy or his of her temperature is above 100.2°F, you may want to give him or her some medicine. - As per BabyCenter.com

What kind of medicine and how much is needed to lower a fever?
BabyCenter.com recommends: Acetaminophen (one brand name: Children’s or Infants’ Tylenol) relieves pain and lowers fever. How much acetaminophen your child may need depends on his or her weight and age. Check the package label or ask your doctor about the correct dosage for your child.

Talk to your doctor before giving ibuprofen (brand names: Children’s Advil, Children’s Motrin) to your child. Your doctor will tell you the correct dose for your child.

Tips on giving medicine

• Don’t give more than 5 doses in 1 day.
• Don’t give a baby younger than 3 months old medicine unless your family doctor tells you to.
• Read labels carefully. Make sure you are giving your child the right amount of medicine.
• If using drops, fill the dropper to the line.
• For liquid elixir, use a liquid measuring device to make sure you give the right dose. Get one at your drug store or ask your pharmacist.

Are there other ways to help my child feel better?
Yes, according to BabyCenter.com.

• Give your child plenty of fluids to drink to prevent dehydration (not enough fluid in the body) and help the body cool itself.
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
• Keep the room temperature at about 70°F to 74°F.
• Dress your child in light cotton pajamas so that body heat can escape.
• If your child is chilled, put on an extra blanket but remove it when the chills stop.

Will a bath help lower my child’s fever?
Used together, acetaminophen and a lukewarm bath may help lower a fever. Give the acetaminophen before the bath. If the bath is given alone, your child may start shivering as his or her body tries to raise its temperature again. This may make your child feel worse. Don’t use alcohol or cold water for baths. – BabyCenter.com

Are there other ways to bring my baby’s fever down?
You can try to lower your baby’s fever by sponging him down with lukewarm (not cold) water or giving him a lukewarm bath.

Never try to reduce a fever by sponging down your baby with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed into your baby’s bloodstream through the skin. It can also cool him too quickly, which can actually raise his temperature. – As recommended by BabyCenter.com

Why does my baby’s fever keep coming back?
Fever-reducing medicines bring down body temperature temporarily. They don’t affect the bug that’s producing the infection, so your baby may run a fever until his body is clear of the infection. This can take at least two or three days.

Some infections, such as influenza (the flu), can last five to seven days. If your baby has been treated with antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection, it may take 48 hours for his temperature to fall. – As recommended by BabyCenter.com

My baby has a fever and no other symptoms. What’s wrong?
When a baby has a fever that isn’t accompanied by a runny nose, a cough, vomiting, or diarrhea, figuring out what’s wrong can be difficult.

There are many viral infections that can cause a fever without any other symptoms. Some, such as roseola, cause three days of very high fever followed by a light pink rash on the trunk.

More serious infections, such as meningitis, urinary tract infections, or bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream), may also trigger a high fever without any other specific symptoms. If your baby has a high fever and no other symptoms, call the doctor. – As recommended by BabyCenter.com

How can I tell whether or not my child has a fever?
Kiss or touch your baby’s forehead. If you think he feels hotter than normal, you’re probably right.

A fever is usually a sign that the body is waging a war against infection. Taking your baby’s temperature can confirm your suspicions and help you and your child’s doctor figure out the best way to get your baby back on the road to health.
Fever has traditionally been defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4°F.

What are some of the possible causes for my child’s fever?
Causes of fever include the following:

• bacterial infections,
• viral infections,
• medications,
• illicit drugs, and
• heat illnesses.

What are common symptoms of a fever in children?
Signs and symptoms of fever may be obvious or subtle. The younger the child, the more subtle the symptoms.

Infants

• irritable
• fussy
• lethargic
• quiet
• feel warm or hot
• not feed normally
• cry
• breathe rapidly
• exhibit changes in sleeping or eating habits

Verbal children may complain of

• feeling hotter or colder than others in the room who feel comfortable,
• body aches,
• headache