What to Know About Fevers in Infants and Children

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fevers-in-infants-and-children

Fevers are common in infants and young children as their immune systems are still developing. Fever can actually be a good sign that your child’s body is fighting an infection like it’s supposed to. However, it can be scary for us as parents. Here’s what you need to know about fevers in infants and children.

Causes of fevers in infants and children

The most common cause of fevers in infants and children is an infection (bacterial or viral). Additionally, vaccinations and less commonly, certain medications or medical conditions can also cause fever. While teething can cause a slight rise in body temperature, it is usually not enough to qualify as a true fever.

Normal temperature vs. fever

Normal body temperature is typically around 98.6 ºF (if taken orally) or 99.6 ºF (if taken rectally). Your child may have a fever if his body temperature is over 99 ºF (if temperature is taken orally) or over 100.4 ºF (if temperature is taken rectally).

How to treat fevers in infants and children

Remember that fevers are a sign that your child’s immune system is working hard to fight an infection, so not all fever needs to be treated. However, if your child is uncomfortable or you are concerned the fever is too high, you may want to give her medicine to help bring the fever down. For a child under 3 months old, you should always call the pediatrician if s/he has a fever. Therefore, you should not give medication to a child under 3 months old until speaking with your doctor. For children age 3-6 months, you should treat fever only with acetaminophen. After 6 months, you can rotate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen. You should never give aspirin to infants or children due to the risk for Reye Syndrome. If your child is vomiting and can’t keep medication down, you may need to give medicine via a suppository (such as FeverAll®).

Additional ways to manage fevers in infants and children

  • Keep your child dressed in light, loose-fitting clothing and use only light sheets or blankets.
  • Provide plenty of fluids to prevent your child from getting dehydrated. If you have trouble getting your child to drink, popsicles and Jell-O® can help with hydration too.
  • Lukewarm baths or sponge baths can help bring down a fever temporarily. You should NOT bathe with very cold water or use rubbing alcohol.

Call your pediatrician immediately if:

  • An infant under 3 months has a fever
  • You notice your child having trouble breathing or breathing faster than normal
  • Your child experiences a febrile convulsion (seizure)
  • Your child has a repeated fever above 104 ºF (meaning that it does not come down with medication, or that it returns after the medication has worn off)
  • You notice any other concerning symptoms, such as having a stiff neck, listlessness, severe pain, or vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • You observe signs of dehydration
  • Your child seems to be getting worse
  • The fever persists for more than 24 hours (in children under 2 years) or 72 hours (in children over 2 years)
  • Your gut tells you something more in wrong
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Mallory Eastman
Mallory is a digital marketer and mom to an energetic toddler. She lives in NW DC with her husband and son. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Mallory moved to DC in 2007 after graduating from Wake Forest University (go Deacs!). Mallory went to graduate school for Health Communication & Marketing, so she especially enjoys writing about health-related topics. She’s an advocate for all things in moderation, including moderation. Likes: sauv blanc, Netflix, true crime, all things crafty. Dislikes: winter, traffic, non-adherence to the courtesy wave. All of my opinions are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.