Fever In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A fever is an increase in body temperature. It is a common sign of illness, infection, or other medical condition.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

Most fevers go away in a few days, but they may last longer.

• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are medicines you can get without a doctor's order. They may decrease your child's fever.
  
  
• Antibiotics: Your child may be given antibiotics if he has an infection. Antibiotics help kill the germs that cause infection. Give your child this medicine until it is completely gone, even if he feels better.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not helping, or if your child has side effects. Tell your child's primary healthcare provider if your child takes any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines he takes. Include the amounts, and when and why he takes them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin when he is sick. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.

Help your child rest:

If your child feels sick, he should rest during the day. If your baby has a fever, keep him quiet and rested.

Give your child plenty of liquids:

• Help your child drink at least 6 to 8, eight ounce cups of clear liquids each day. Give your child water, juice, broth, or sports drinks. Do not give sports drinks to babies and toddlers.
  
  
• If you are breastfeeding or feeding your child formula, continue to do so. Your baby may not feel like drinking his regular amounts with each feeding. If so, feed him smaller amounts of breast milk or formula more often.
  
  
• Ask your child's primary healthcare provider if you should give your child oral rehydration solution (ORS) to drink. ORS has the right amount of water, salt, and sugar your child needs to replace body fluids. Ask what kind of ORS to use, how much to give your child, and where to get it.

Dress your child in lightweight clothes:

Shivers during a fever may be a sign that your child's fever is rising. Do not put extra blankets or clothes on him. This may cause his fever to rise even higher. Dress your child in light, comfortable clothing. Cover him with a lightweight blanket or sheet. Change your child's clothes, blanket, or sheets if they get wet.

Use a cool compress:

Dip a clean washcloth into cool or lukewarm water. Wring it out and place it on your child's forehead or on the back of his neck.

When to sponge bathe your child:

Sponge bathe your child if he is vomiting and cannot take fever medicine. Use lukewarm water to sponge bathe. Never use rubbing alcohol, ice, or cold water to give a sponge bath. Check your child's temperature about 30 minutes after the sponge bath. Ask about the best way to take your child's temperature. Sponge bathe 1 hour after you give fever medicine if:

• Your child's temperature is at least 104°F (40°C).
  
  
• Your child or another family member has had seizures caused by fevers.
  
  
• Your child vomits and you do not know how much medicine he has kept in his stomach.

Follow up with your child's primary healthcare provider:

Write down any questions you have so you remember to ask them in your follow-up visits.

Contact your child's primary healthcare provider if:

• Your baby is 2 months old or younger and his temperature reaches 100.2 °F (37.9 °C).
  
  
• Your child is 3 to 6 months old and his temperature reaches 101°F (38.3°C).
  
  
• Your child is over 6 months old and his temperature reaches 103°F (39.4°C).
  
  
• Your child's fever has not gone away after 3 days.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's fever.

Return to the emergency department if:

• Your child's temperature reaches 105°F (40.6°C).
  
  
• Your child has a dry mouth, cracked lips, or cries without tears. Your baby has a dry diaper for at least 8 hours. These are signs that your child may be dehydrated.
  
  
• Your child has stomach pain on the right side with fever, nausea, or vomiting.
  
  
• Your child seems like he cannot get enough air in when he breathes.
  
  
• Your child is less alert, less active, or is acting differently than he usually does.
  
  
• Your child has a seizure or has abnormal movements of the face, arms or legs. He is drooling and not able to swallow.
  
  
• Your child has stiffness of the neck, confusion or will not wake up.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Fever In Children (Aftercare Instructions)