Fever is the body's immune response to an infection. The body raises its thermostat to help fight off intruding germs. Fever in itself is not harmful unless it reaches very high temperatures (106 degrees or more). When treating an infant or child with fever, focus on relieving discomfort and treating the cause of the fever, not the fever itself.
Temperature
Take an infant or young child's temperature rectally or under the arm (axillary) with a glass thermometer. Digital and ear thermometers can also be used but are slightly less accurate. An older child can also use an oral thermometer placed under the tongue. Write down the temperature and the time it was taken. Oral, rectal and axillary temperatures are all slightly different. Record the actual temperature and the method used to take it. Do not attempt to add or subtract degrees to compensate for the measurement technique you use.
Pediatrician
Remember that fever is a natural, healthy response to illness and is not usually an emergency. Most fevers in children can be treated at home and do not require an immediate call to the doctor. Call or page your doctor if your infant is under three months old and has a fever of 100 degrees or more, if your child of any age has a fever of 104 degrees or more that does not respond to fever reducing medications, if your child is limp, unresponsive, or crying inconsolably for long periods of time, or if your intuition tells you something is seriously wrong with your child. These can be symptoms of a serious infection. Also call your pediatrician if your child does not improve within three days.
Cause
Most fevers are caused by viruses such as colds, flu and chicken pox, or bacterial infection such as ear infection, strep throat and urinary tract infection. Teething can also cause low-grade fevers. Most viruses will run their course in about three days without any treatment other than comfort measures. Bacterial infections may need antibiotic treatment. Observe your child's symptoms and report them along with fever data if you call your doctor's office.
Treatment
Do not treat a fever simply because the child has a fever. If the fever is less than 104 degrees, let it do its job of fighting infection unless your child feels miserable. Treat your child to help him feel comfortable, not to bring the fever down to normal. Treat a fever above 104 degrees or a miserable child with a lower fever by giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These medications will reduce the fever by two or three degrees (usually not all the way down to normal) and help the child feel better. Acetaminophen can be given every four hours. Ibuprofen can be given every six hours, lasts longer, and is sometimes more effective for higher fevers. If acetaminophen or ibuprofen does not work well enough or wears off too soon, you can alternate between the two medications, giving one every three hours. If the child is vomiting and cannot keep down oral medication, give acetaminophen in rectal suppository form. Never give aspirin to a child age 12 or under because it can cause Reyes Syndrome.
Considerations
Give the child a lukewarm (not cold) bath to help reduce fever. Do this only after giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen and allowing the medication time to work. A cool bath without fever reducing medication can cause chills and increase the fever. Never use alcohol on the child's skin to reduce fever as alcohol can be absorbed through the skin. Keep the child dressed lightly to allow heat to escape. Give plenty of cool fluids to help reduce the fever and prevent dehydration.
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