Fever is a temporary increase in body temperature. This is part of the overall response of the body's immune system. Fever is usually caused by an infection. Fever can be uncomfortable for most children and adults. But usually, there is nothing to worry about. But in infants, even a mild fever can mean a serious infection. The fever usually subsides within a few days. Many over-the-counter medications lower fever. However, you do not need to treat a fever unless you are experiencing discomfort.
As a general rule, you should call the doctor if your child: is less than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 38°C or higher. 3 months or older with a temperature above 102.2°F (39°C) at any age, but has health problems such as cancer or sickle cell anemia and has a fever.
Depending on what is causing the fever, other signs and symptoms of fever may include:
- Sweating.
- Chills and shivering
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Dehydration
- General weakness.
Taking temperature
To take the temperature, you can choose from several types of thermometers, oral, rectal, floor (tympanic membrane), and forehead (temporal) thermometers. Oral and rectal thermometers generally provide accurate measurements of core body temperature. Ear or forehead thermometers, while useful, provide less accurate temperature readings. When vaping, the rectal temperature is slightly slower if possible. When reporting temperatures to your health insurer, indicate both the measured value and the door thermometer used.
When to see a doctor
A fever may not automatically be a cause for alarm — or a reason to call a doctor. Still, there are situations when you should seek pediatric care advice for your baby, your child, or yourself.
Infants and toddlers
Fever is a particular cause for concern in infants and young children. Call your child's urgent care provider if your child has:
- Less than 3 months of age and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
- Between 3 and 6 months and has a rectal temperature greater than 102 F (38.9 C) or has a low temperature but seems unusually irritable, lethargic, or uncomfortable.
- Between 7 and 24 months and has a rectal temperature greater than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts more than a day but shows no other symptoms. If your child also has other signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, or diarrhea, you may want to call sooner.
Complications
Children 6 months to 5 years of age are at increased risk for seizures that occur when they have a fever (febrile seizures). About a third of children with febrile seizures usually have recurrent febrile seizures within the next 12 months.
Fever attacks include loss of consciousness, tremors on both sides of the body, rolling of the eyes, or body stiffness. Despite the parental concern, most febrile seizures do not cause long-term consequences.
If a seizure occurs:
- Lay your baby on his side or stomach on the floor or ground.
- Remove any sharp objects near your baby.
- Loosen tight clothing.
- Hold your baby to prevent injury
- Do not put anything in your child's mouth or try to stop a seizure.
- Call 911 or call Pediatric Urgent Care if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if your child does not seem to be getting better after the seizure.
- Seek emergency room or urgent care services if your child has his first bout of fever.
If your child does not need immediate care, contact your child's primary care physician as soon as possible for further investigation.
