Fevers in Kids: When To Worry
As a parent, there’s probably been a time when you felt your child’s hot forehead and worried about them having a fever. Is it serious? How high is too high? Should they go to the doctor? Could it be a sign of a cold, flu, RSV or another infection?
When it comes to a fever, getting medical treatment quickly can be important. In most cases, though, fevers aren’t dangerous. Fevers are one of the body’s ways to fight infections naturally.
Here’s what to keep in mind when your child has a fever.
Causes of Fever in Children
A fever, which is defined as any temperature over 100.4°F, means the body is working properly to fight and overcome an infection. Most infections in children are caused by viruses and bacteria.
By elevating its temperature, the body helps stop viruses and bacteria from replicating, since they normally only reproduce when conditions are just right.
When to Take Your Child to a Doctor
In very young children — especially in babies less than 2 months old — fevers can be dangerous. This is because their immune systems are still developing, and a fever could mean they have a severe infection. If your newborn’s temperature is over 100.4°F, go to urgent care or the emergency department right away. Call your pediatrician for fevers in babies who are 2 to 3 months old.
For babies and children older than 3 months, call your doctor if the fever goes above 104°F, lasts longer than four days or is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Earache
- Headache
- Irritability
- Listlessness
- Localized pain
- Pain when urinating
- Purplish or dark rash that does not fade when you press on it
- Refusal to drink fluids
- Refusal to walk or bear weight
- Severe abdominal pain
- Sore throat
- Stiff neck
- Swollen joints
- Trouble breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Worsening cough
The Right Way To Take Your Child's Temperature
It’s important to know how to take your child’s temperature correctly. There are different methods, depending on your child’s age.
- Newborn to 3 months: Use a digital rectal thermometer. Tympanic (ear) thermometers aren’t recommended, since young infants have smaller and wetter ear canals that may lead to incorrect readings.
- 3 months to 4 years: Rectal temperature is the most accurate method, but you can also take temperatures in the armpit or on the forehead. You can use a digital ear thermometer if your child is at least 6 months old.
- 4 years and older: You can use a digital ear thermometer or a digital thermometer under the tongue, since they should be able to hold it steadily enough for an accurate reading.
Learn more about our thermometer guidelines and get detailed instructions on how to take your child’s temperature.
When To Use Fever Reducers in Children
Most fevers will resolve on their own within a couple of days and rest and plenty of liquids. If your child’s fever rises above 101.5°F and they feel miserable, a fever-reducing medicine may help. Children may also be more likely to drink the fluids they need after taking fever-reducing medicines.
Make sure you’re giving your child the correct dose of medicine. Too little medicine won’t be effective, but too much could be dangerous. Follow the instructions on the label carefully and only use the cup or syringe that came with that medicine.
Tip: Never use a household teaspoon when giving medicine. They vary in size, so your dose may be off. ever use a household teaspoon. They vary in size, so your dose may be wrong.
Child-Safe Fever Medicines
Two types of fever medicine are safe for children: acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol) and ibuprofen (sold as Motrin and Advil). Tylenol is the only fever-reducing medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for babies younger than 6 months old.
It’s a good idea to print out the correct dosing for these medicines. Or bookmark these pages from the American Academy of Pediatrics for easy reference:
- It lasts between six and eight hours.
- It can reduce swelling from teething and ear infections with its anti-inflammatory properties.
- It may be a better choice for children who have asthma or recurrent wheezing.
It’s a good idea to print out the correct dosing for these medicines. Or bookmark these pages from the American Academy of Pediatrics for easy reference:
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