Fever - Children

Treating Symptoms

Infants younger than 4 months old

1. Take Temperature

• Rectal temperature is most accurate (you can also take temperature under armpit) – if it’s higher than 99 F check temperature other way

2. Call Pediatrician

• If temperature is higher than 100.4 F (bathing child in lukewarm water may assist in bringing down temperature)
• Discuss medication intake with doctor before giving to child

For 4 months or older or immunized

1. Take Temperature

• Rectal – children under 4 months check in rectal for accuracy – if temperature is above 100.4 F child has a fever
• Oral – child over 4 months – use pacifier or oral thermometer – if temperature is above 100.4 F child has a fever
• Ear – child 6 months or older – use temporal artery thermometer – if you need very accurate reading check rectal
• Armpit – if temperature is above 100.4 F child has a fever

2. Temperature below 102 F

• Treat child only if child is uncomfortable
• Make sure child rests and stays hydrated

3. Temperature above 102 F and below 105 F

• Don’t give children aspirin under 18 years old for risk of Reye’s syndrome (brain disease)
• Call pediatrician to check need of bringing child into to see the doctor
• Give formula acetaminophen (Tylenol) – before giving fever-reducing medicine consult pediatrician
• To reduce temperature try bathing or sponging child with lukewarm water

4. Keep checking on child

• Don’t let child attend school or daycare until 24 hours after fever
• Call pediatrician if fever lasts longer than 2 days or worsens or if you’re concerned for child well-being

Call Doctor

• Children younger than 3 months and a rectal temperature 100.4 or higher
• Children 3-6 months, has a fever more than 1 day, or temperature higher than 101 F
• Children older than 6 months and younger than 1 year, has a fever more than 1 day, or with a temperature higher than 103 F
• Children 1-2 years with high fever more than 1 day
• All children with temperature higher than 104 F
• Bulging soft spot on head
• Severe diarrhea
• Repeated vomiting
• Dehydration with non-wet diapers, crying without tears, dry mouth or mucous membranes or sunken spot
• Fever triggering seizure
• If you assume the child needs medical attention or child is at a special risk for serious infection

Call 911

• Having a seizure(s)
• Lips / skin blue
• Headache, stiff neck or vomiting
• Limp or unresponsive
• Trouble breathing