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Children's Health
Fever in Children
How do you know when your child has a fever?
• Your child’s chest or forehead may feel hot.
• He or she may sweat or feel sick.
• Your child’s temperature is:
– Higher than 99.5ºF by mouth or ear. (Higher than 100.5ºF with a pacifier thermometer.)
– Higher than 100.4ºF by rectum.
– Higher than 89.5ºF under the armpit.
Signs, Symptoms & Causes
Fever is a sign of another problem. Your child may have an infection. Exercise, hot weather, and shots like DTaP and MMR can also make your child’s temperature go up.
A thermometer measures temperature. There are many kinds of thermometers:
• Pacifier thermometers. These are for children 3 months old to 2 years old.
• Digital thermometers run on batteries. They are good and work in less than 30 seconds. (Make sure the batteries are good.)
• Temperature strips go on the forehead. They are easy to use, but do not give a good temperature reading.
• Ear thermometers work in 2 seconds or less. They are as good as oral thermometers, but they cost more.
You may not need to treat your child’s fever if it isn’t high and he or she feels O.K. But you should treat your child’s fever if it is high and your child feels bad or the fever makes it hard for your child to drink, eat, sleep, or do normal things.
You can take your child’s temperature by mouth, armpit, ear, or rectum. (The rectum is the opening where you pass solid waste.) A rectal reading is better than a mouth reading. It is 1°F higher than a mouth reading. An armpit reading is 1°F lower than a mouth reading, but does not give as good a reading.
Questions to Ask
Question
01
With a fever, does the child have any of these signs?
• Seizure.
• Hard time breathing. Very fast breathing.
• Can’t be roused.
• Very bad wheezing.
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
02
With a high fever, does the child have 1 or more of these signs of meningitis?
• Stiff neck.
• Very bad headache that lasts.
• Acts very sleepy and/or strange.
• Purple or red, bumpy skin rash that does not fade when you press on the skin.
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
03
Does your child have any of these signs of dehydration?
• Acts confused.
• Dry diaper for more than 3 hours in a baby.
• No urine for 6 or more hours in a child.
• Sunken eyes. Crying with no tears.
• Dry mouth and dry skin.
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
04
Is the fever 100.4°F or higher in a baby less than 3 months old? Is it 104°F or higher in a child between 3 months and 3 years old?
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
05
With a fever, does the child have any of these problems?
• Ear pain that lasts or tugging at the ear.
• Sore throat.
• Pain, redness, or swelling anywhere on the body.
• Green or yellow mucus drains from the nose, ears, or throat.
• Pain or burning when passing urine. Passing urine often.
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
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Question
06
In a baby less than 3 months old, is the fever between 99.5°F and up to 100.4°F? Is it 102.2°F and up to 104°F in a child between 3 months and 3 years old or higher than 104°F in a child 3 years of age and older?
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
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Question
07
With a fever, has your child had an operation recently? Or does he or she have any of these health problems?
• Asthma.
• Kidney disease.
• Cancer.
• Diabetes.
• A history of seizures when he or she gets a fever.
Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.
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Question
08
Did the fever go away for more than a day, then come back? Did your child get the fever after a visit to a different country? Or did he or she just have a DTaP, or MMR shot and is feeling dizzy?
Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.
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Question
09
Does a child age 3 years and older have a fever of 102.2°F and up to 104°F?
Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.
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Self-Care
• Make sure your child drinks a lot of fluids. Give fruit juice, water, and other cool drinks.
• Dress your child in light clothing.
• Have your child rest.
• For a high fever, sponge your child with warm (not cold or cool) water. Don’t use rubbing alcohol. Don’t let your child shower. Showering can make the fever go up.
• Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Make sure you give the right kind and dose for his or her weight. (Note: Do not give aspirin. Aspirin and other medicines that have salicylates have been linked to Reye’s Syndrome.)
• A fever can occur with other health problems. They include:
– Chickenpox.
– Coughs.
– Croup.
– Cuts, Scrapes & Punctures.
– Diarrhea.
– Earaches.
– Flu.
– Headaches.
– Seizures.
– Sore Throats.
– Swollen Glands.
– Wheezing.
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