Fever in Children

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.

How do you know when your child has a fever?

• Your child’s chest or forehead may feel hot
• Your child may sweat or feel sick
• Your child’s temperature is:
  • Higher than 100°F by mouth
  • Higher than 100.4°F by rectum, ear or forehead
  • Higher than 99.1°F under the armpit

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. They are appropriate for those aged 6 months and older.

You may not need to treat your child’s fever if it isn’t high and he or she feels OK 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.

Self-Care

• Make sure your child drinks a lot of cool fluids, such as water and diluted fruit juice.
• Dress your child in light clothing.
• Have your child rest.
• For a high fever, sponge your child with lukewarm 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 their 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. These may include:

• Chickenpox
• Coughs
• Croup
• Cuts, Scrapes & Punctures
• Diarrhea
• Earaches