Fevers

Fevers can be a symptom of illness or infection. Fever is also a temporary effect of exercise, hot weather or immunizations. Normal body temperature ranges from 97 degrees F to 100 degrees F. If your child has a fever of 100 degrees F orally or by ear, 101 degrees F rectally or 99 degrees F under the armpit, a fever is probably present. Children tend to run higher fevers than adults.

• When a temperature rises rapidly, convulsions can occur. During convulsions the body stiffens and arms, legs and teeth clench together. The eyes may roll back, and the child may also stop breathing for a few seconds, vomit, urinate or pass stool. Convulsions last from one to five minutes. Although very frightening, fever convulsions in children 6 months to 4 years are seldom serious. Have your child seen by a doctor immediately to be sure.

• For a low fever that seems to cause little discomfort, no treatment may be required. A fever itself is one way the child’s body fights an infection. Your doctor may recommend not treating a fever for 24 hours. If the fever is high enough to interfere with drinking, eating, sleeping or normal activities, it should probably be treated.

• Make sure your child drinks plenty of liquids and gets plenty of rest.
• For fevers over 104 degrees F, place your child in a bath filled with tepid water. Gently sponge the water over your child’s body for 15 minutes. If your child begins to shiver or protest the bath is too cold, remove them immediately.
• Avoid giving your child a shower during a high fever, as it may increase the fever.
• Give your child an appropriate dose of acetamine up to every four hours.
• Don’t use rubbing alcohol or cold water to cool the body down.
• Don’t give your child aspirin or any medication containing salicylts.

Call The Doctor If....