A temperature over 100.4 degrees F is considered a fever. Although fevers provoke much anxiety in parents, most fevers are not harmful and are actually the body’s way of fighting off infection. For this reason, low-grade fevers under 102 degrees don’t even need to be treated if your child doesn’t seem too uncomfortable. Children often have much higher fevers than adults do, and it is not rare for a youngster to have a fever up to 104 or higher. It is much more important to pay attention to how a sick child is acting and not as much to how high the fever is. Children will be crabbier and clingier than usual and sleep much more when they have a fever, but they should still be aware of their environment and consolable by parents.
If your child is under two months old, always call us before giving any fever reducers. For children older than two months, acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used every 4-6 hours. Above six months, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be used every 6-8 hours. In an effort to get the temperature down, many parents alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen. However, this is generally not necessary and many parents will just use ibuprofen since it lasts longer. In addition, lukewarm sponge baths are often not necessary unless the fever is above 104 degrees. Also remember not to over-bundle your child when they have a fever – it will only make the fever go higher. Cold fluids are also helpful.
Be sure to call the office for a fever above 100.4 in infants under two months old, fevers above 105 in any child or any fever lasting more than a few days without other symptoms. Many viruses (which can’t be treated with antibiotics) will cause fevers that will go away in a few days, so your child doesn’t necessarily need to be seen on the first day of a febrile illness.
