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Apr 7, 2024 · Key points. Fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection. A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher means a fever. See a health-care provider if your child has a fever that lasts for more than five days or if your child has a fever and is less than three months old. Pay attention to how your child looks and acts.
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- Overview
- What a fever means
- High fevers in newborns to 3-month-olds
- High fevers in 3-month-olds to 3-year-olds
- High fevers in children older than 3 years
- In a nutshell: When to go to urgent care
- When you don’t need to worry and why
- The bottom line
Your little one feels warm to the touch. After taking their temperature, you realize it’s 103°F — a fever!
Even if this scenario sounds super familiar, it can still catch you off guard. Before you race to the doctor, though, take a deep breath.
It’s helpful to familiarize yourself with fever, its function in the human body, and any warning signs that may mean it’s serious — or, alternatively, when you can relax.
Related: What you should do if your newborn has a cold
Normal body temperature is around 98.6°F, though it may fluctuate slightly higher or lower throughout the day. A fever starts with any temperature that reaches 100.4°F or above.
A temperature between 100.4°F and 102.2°F is considered a low-grade fever; a temperature above 102.2°F is considered a high fever.
A fever isn’t a sickness in itself. Instead, elevated body temperature is a sign that your child’s immune system is hard at work fighting off some type of invader — usually an illness or infection.
Along with an elevated temperature, your child may experience these fever symptoms:
•chills
•sweating
In young babies, even slight temperatures may be a reason for concern. That’s why you should always contact your doctor or head to urgent care if your little one has any fever that’s 100.4°F or above. (The same goes with a temperature lower than 97.7°F when taken rectally.)
You should also head to the ER if your baby has a fever and any of the following symptoms:
•trouble feeding
•trouble breathing
•unexplained rash
•vomiting or diarrhea
In older babies and toddlers, call your doctor if your child’s fever is 102.2°F or above.
You’ll also want to pay attention to how your child responds to over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Always ask your pediatrician about giving any OTC drugs to babies under age 1.
If the fever doesn’t respond to fever reducers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), there may be something more serious going on.
Other symptoms that warrant urgent care:
•trouble waking up
•trouble breathing
For kids over age 3, a fever over 102° F that lasts for 2 or more days may be a reason for concern.
If their doctor tells you to keep an eye on it, a couple days may be OK.
However, if your little one has had a fever for 5 or more days, be sure to call back to make an appointment with their doctor. The same goes for a fever that doesn’t lower with OTC medications.
Other symptoms that may warrant urgent care:
•trouble breathing or swallowing
•difficulty keeping fluids down (vomiting)
You know your child best. If you feel in your gut something is wrong, don’t hesitate to give your pediatrician’s office a call. And don’t feel silly — they get questions all the time and would rather you be extra safe when it comes to your child’s health.
Get in touch with your doctor or urgent care if:
•Your baby is younger than 3 months old with a fever over 100.4°F.
•Your baby (ages 3 to 6 months) has a temperature of 102°F and is acting unlike themselves (lethargic, uncomfortable, etc.).
•Your older baby (ages 6 to 24 months) has a temperature over 102°F that lasts more than 1 day with no other signs of illness, like cough or diarrhea.
•Your child’s fever has been present for 5 days or longer.
Remember: You should always call your doctor for fever in babies under 3 months old.
Older kids do get fevers, though. So while it’s important to know when you should head to the doctor, it’s equally key to know when you can relax and monitor on your own.
In many cases, a fever is their body’s response to fighting off a mild illness. It will resolve on its own when the illness winds down and your child gets better.
You may be able to monitor at home if:
•A fever lasts fewer than 3 to 5 days, provided your little one is acting like themselves. Observe their eating, drinking, and play patterns to see if they’re at their normal level of activity. Being slightly more tired than usual is expected, though.
•The fever is below 102.5°F in children ages 3 months to 3 years or below 103°F in older kids. (Of course, this is provided there are no other warning signs.) Temperatures in this range are common and don’t necessarily signal an emergency.
Chances are, your little one will have many fevers in their lifetime.
Pay attention to the number on the thermometer but also look at your child. If they’re acting normally and drinking enough fluids — and their fever goes away relatively quickly — you can relax and try at-home comfort measures, like giving them a lukewarm bath.
- Ashley Marcin
Normal Armpit Temperature. Fever. Children of any age. 36.5°C – 37.5°C. (97.8°F – 99.5°F) 37.6°C (99.6°F) or higher. A few tips to consider: Do not use an oral thermometer to take a rectal temperature, or a rectal thermometer for oral temperature taking. Clean the thermometer with cool, soapy water before and after each use.
What causes a fever in children? A fever is usually a sign or symptom of an illness or other underlying issue. While fevers can have many causes, there are a few common culprits: Infections: A fever is a sign that the body is responding to an infection or other process that causes inflammation. Common infections that cause fevers include ...
Fever (a high temperature) is common in children. Fever is a normal response to many illnesses, the most common being an infection in the body. Fever itself is usually not harmful – in fact, it helps the body’s immune system fight off infection. While fevers can be concerning for parents, doctors will usually be more concerned about what is ...
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A fever means that your child’s body temperature is above normal. • A fever is generally a temp erature over 38o C (100.4o F). The number varies slightly, depending on whether the temperature was taken in the child’s mouth, under the armpit or in his or her bottom. • Fever is the body’s way to fight an infection.
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Infants younger than 3 months of age whose temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should be evaluated by a doctor because fevers in infants can indicate a serious illness. In kids between 3 months and 3 years of age, a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher requires a call to your pediatrician. Doctors also recommend taking into ...
