FEVER FACTS
What Every Parent Should Know About Fever
1. Fever itself is not a disease; it is a sign that accompanies a variety of diseases.
2. Normal body temperature varies in a daily cycle with the low point (97.6° F) in the morning and the high point (100°F) in the late afternoon. So-called “normal” temperature (37°C; 98.6°F) is the average for the normal daily range.
3. Below-normal temperature is nothing to worry about in a child who does not have other symptoms, except in newborn infants.
4. Fever alone almost never causes brain damage. To do so, the fever must be over 106° F, and damage is rare with fevers of less than 107° F. Fevers in the 104° F range are common in children.
5. Newborn babies can have an infection without fever, especially if they are feeding poorly, irritable, or more lethargic than usual.
6. Fever is a temperature equal to or greater than 100.4° F.
7. Do not add or subtract a degree to the rectal or oral thermometer reading. The exact thermometer reading is the temperature we will want you to report to us. Skin (under the arm) temperature is not a reliable indicator of actual body temperature.
8. Ear thermometers should only be used in older children, since the tiny curved ear canal of infants does not allow the ear thermometer to give accurate readings.
9. When a fever is present, the heart will beat faster and breathing may be more rapid.
10. Fever is usually highest in the evening and at night.
FEVER TREATMENT
Most children are fussy, less active, and not interested in eating when they have a fever. If your child is uncomfortable from the fever, acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) is our first choice of treatment. Always administer a dose based on weight – not age. It will take the acetaminophen 45-60 minutes to make your child more comfortable. Remember, the fever will probably just be lowered – not returned to normal! As the temperature is lowered, your child should feel better. This is a good time to offer fluids to your child. A child with a fever needs to drink extra fluids. Acetaminophen should help for about four hours and then may be repeated. Remember, the fever will usually return because acetaminophen is treating the fever but not treating the illness that is causing the fever. Ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Motrin) may be used for fever but is not our first choice due to occasional allergic reactions and stomach irritation. Ibuprofen may be helpful at night because it lasts six – eight hours.
DO NOT bathe or sponge a child with alcohol! It can cause alcohol poisoning.
Fever during the first two months of your child’s life should be called to us immediately. Fever in other ages may be treated with acetaminophen (as previously discussed). Then, optimal observation – watching your child for improvement after the fever has decreased – will guide you in when to call us. Children who improve, may continue with acetaminophen until you call the office during daytime hours. The degree of fever is not as important as your child’s behavior. If the fever is associated with remarkable irritability, abnormal sleepiness, rash, neck pain, trouble breathing, or unusual symptoms – call us anytime. If the fever persists for more than three days, call our office.