Fever

A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It is not a sickness. Fevers do not cause brain damage. Your child's normal body temperature varies with his age, activity level, the time of day and how much clothing he is wearing. Normal body temperature ranges from 97.0°F to 100.4°F (36°C to 38°C).

If you think your child has a fever, take his temperature by using a thermometer. See the instructions below on how to take a temperature. Placing your hand on your child’s forehead is not a good way to check his temperature. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a digital or tympanic thermometer.

If your child’s temperature is higher than 101°F (38.3°C):

• He may feel better resting in bed.
• Urge him to drink.
• Dress him in light clothes (T-shirt, diaper or pajamas).

Call our office immediately if:

• Temperature is over 100.4°F (38°C) by rectum and your child is less than 8 weeks old.
• Your child has a fever of more than 104°F (40°C).

Your child may need to be seen if:

• Your child develops new problems (like ear pain, sore throat, stomach pain, stiff neck, rash or seizures/convulsions).
• Your child has no interest in eating, drinking or playing, is difficult to wake up or is generally not acting like himself.
• If you are unsure whether your child needs to be seen right away or whether it can wait until the next day the office is open, we welcome a call.

Where to take the child’s temperature:

• Under the arm for any age child.
• By mouth, if your child is older than 5 years and can hold the thermometer under his tongue for 3 minutes.
• By rectum, if your child is under 2 months.
• By ear with a special thermometer if older than 6 months.

Under the arm:
Hold the silver bulb of the thermometer under your child’s arm in the armpit. Keep your child’s arm snugly against his body. Leave the thermometer in place for 5 minutes.

By mouth:
Use a thermometer with a long silver bulb. Do not give your child cold or hot drinks or food for 30 minutes before you take his temperature. Put the silver bulb under your child’s tongue. Tell him to close his lips. Tell your child not to bite down or he may break the thermometer. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 minutes.

By rectum:
Use a thermometer with a short, round bulb. Coat the bulb with Vaseline. Hold your child still and don’t leave him alone while taking his temperature. Gently put the thermometer bulb (only the bulb) inside his rectum and hold it still for 3 minutes.

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