My Child Has a Fever. Now What?

Parenting isn’t easy, and the right decision isn’t always clear. When it comes to your child’s health, you always want to ensure that you’re choosing the quickest, most effective path to wellness. When it involves a hot forehead, parents tend to ask: is it time to see the doctor? 

A child with a fever is cause to take action, but it’s important to keep in mind that fever is a normal and natural response to a potential infection. Most of the time, a fever is easy to treat and not a reason to panic. Here are a few elements to consider and what you should know when your little one has a raised temperature. 

What is a Fever?

Any temperature within 97.7 and 99.5 degrees is considered normal for children. A temperature above 100.4 is considered a fever. Feeling a hot forehead with your hand, while a sign to take a child’s temperature, is not an accurate reading of a fever. Children can warm up for a variety of reasons, so taking an accurate temperature with a thermometer is a good first step. 

When to Seek Your Pediatrician 

Newborns under four months: Call your provider right away if your newborn has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.

Toddlers and children over four months, including teenagers: if the fever is higher than 104 degrees, call your child’s provider right away. 
For all ages, if your child’s fever persists after two days, reach out to your pediatrician. 

If your child has any medical problems like a compromised immune system, or uses medical equipment, like a ventilator, let your doctor know about a fever right away. 

Accompanying signs and symptoms might also be cause to see your provider. If your child has a fever paired with an unexplained rash, a stiff neck, a severe headache, severe abdominal pain or a seizure, call your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency department. 

Tips to Waiting Out a Fever

Fluids are key: Be sure your child is staying hydrated. Fevers can lead to dehydration, so give them plenty of water. You might include clear soups, electrolyte solutions or popsicles. 

Focus on comfort: If your child is feeling normal, it is okay for them to go about their day at home as long as they are not exerting themselves too much. When fever is making a child uncomfortable, make sure they get enough rest and you may give a fever reducer to decrease their discomfort. Infants less than six months of age may be given acetaminophen. Do not administer ibuprofen until your infant is six months of age or over, and never give your child aspirin unless directed to do so by a physician. At times it may be appropriate to alternate the use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to treat a fever. The next time you see your pediatrician, ask them about how to use this method safely. If bathing your child to provide comfort or to decrease fever, use lukewarm water. 

Avoid being around others: When your child has a fever, they are still infectious. In order to keep the illness from spreading, do not send your child to school or to play with others even if they feel normal. 

Fevers that last two to three days are normal. Once your child has been fever-free for 24 hours without the help of fever reducers, it is safe for them to be around others and return to school.

As the parent or guardian, you know your child best. When deciding whether or not to call your pediatrician, your intuition is always something to take into account. 

The providers at Texas Tech Physicians Pediatrics keep your kids healthy while continuing to educate families on preventative measures that help care for children. To make an appointment for your child, call your pediatric clinic or visit our webpage.

To ensure accurate and reliable information, this post was thoughtfully reviewed and co-written by Stephanie Villarreal, M.D.