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Saturday night fever!

While such statements make great lyrics and many iconic songs reference fevers, for a parent, feeling their child burning up can be very scary. Getting out that thermometer and having it read 102.8F fills most moms, dads, and caregivers with dread. Though a fever is a common indicator of illness, we pediatricians would like to tell you – not to fear the fever!

What is a fever? A fever itself is not an actual disease but typically an indication that your child’s immune system has been alerted to an infection and is now trying to actively fight it off. Whether it be the common cold, an ear infection, or a stomach bug, fevers are so common that it’s almost impossible to live without having them. In fact, most doctors see it as a sign that the body’s defenses are working. 

Nobody likes to have a fever. Fevers make adults and children feel lousy and unwell. Despite this, most often, fevers are a good thing. We recommend you approach a fever rationally and monitor it so you can know if and WHEN help is needed. 

Here are our PediPal Tips on Approaching Fever:

1. Take a temperature. Note, a rectal temperature is the most accurate in babies. An oral (under the tongue traditional) temperature is most accurate in older children and adults. If your child is in between those stages, we recommend an ear thermometer. It is important to know that no matter what temperature you get, it is best not to add a degree and take the number at face value. 

2. A true fever is a temperature of 100.4F or more. It is normal for children’s temperatures to fluctuate during the day or week, so a temperature of 99 or 100F can happen occasionally and not indicate illness or disease. However, if your child’s temperature is above 100.4F , that may be a sign of illness.  

3. If your child is older than 3 months, has a true fever, and feels sick – it is OKAY to give them a fever reducer like Tylenol, or even Motrin for babies above 6 months of age. You can always call your pediatrician and ask them about dosing. If your baby is under 3 months of age, we recommend getting medical help if they develop a fever, because often times, fevers are medical emergencies in newborns.  

4. If your child is acting normal and is not bothered by the fever, it is okay to just monitor them.

5. No matter what, a fever can cause lots of water loss and can result in dehydration, especially in children. We recommend focusing on hydration when your child has a fever by giving them plenty of clear fluids, such as pedialyte. 

6. DO NOT overdress your child during the fever, as a way to “sweat out” the fever.

7. Let your child rest so the body can recover fully. 

Now that you’ve been watching your child’s fever closely, let’s discuss how to know when to seek medical care. 

Here are some reasons to consult your doctor if your child has a fever:

1. They have a sore throat or ear pain

2. They have a bad cough or seem to be having trouble breathing

3. They can’t keep liquids down or you are worried they may be getting dehydrated

4. Their temperature is above 104F

5. The have had a fever for more than 5 days

6. They are acting sick 

Below are also some red flags of when to take your child to the emergency room:

1. If your child is ill, unusually drowsy, or extremely fussy.  If you are unsure and it is during business hours, contact your pediatrician first. 

2. If your child is LESS than 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4F or higher.

3. If your child has other worrisome symptoms like a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, unexplained rash, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, acting lethargic, or you are worried they are dehydrated.

4. If your child has a seizure for the first time. 

5. If the temperature is 104F or higher repeatedly 

6. If your child has been in a hot place like an overheated car

7. If your child has a compromised immune system (conditions like Sickle Cell Disease or Cancer) and also has a fever. 

In conclusion, we  hope that your child stays fever-free, but if they do run a fever, we hope these tips help you navigate it.  If you have any doubt, go ahead and reach out to your pediatrician...we generally love to help!

Your PediPals