A Child's Fever: When to Be Concerned

A child’s fever: When should you worry?

A sure sign our immune system is working as it should is a fever. In normal, healthy children and babies older than 3 months of age, a fever is not something to be too concerned about. A fever does not usually indicate a serious problem for these kids. Child health experts reassure parents that a fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing, as it’s often the body’s way of fighting infections.

Unless a child is uncomfortable or younger than 3 months old, a fever up to 102 degrees F often needs no treatment.

According to the Wall Street Journal (March 1, 2011), pediatricians have given parents this advice for years, but there is still what the American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) calls “fever phobia.” The AAP has recently started a campaign to reassure parents and reduce fears about fever.

The experts at Dayton Children’s remind parents that fever is not an illness—it’s the body’s way of fighting infection. The AAP points out that there is some evidence that some illnesses may resolve faster if the fever is left untreated. Every child is different, and if parents are concerned, a conversation with their child’s doctor—who knows the child’s medical history—will help them make the best decision about their child’s fever.

What medicine works best?

Lowering a child’s fever may make the child more comfortable and help him or her get needed rest. But what medicine works best?

According to the AAP, there is little difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen in safety or effectiveness. Experts caution parents not to combine them or alternate them—as some doctors suggest—as this could lead to overdosing. The same is true for using multiple cold and flu remedies. Multi-symptom products may already contain a fever reducer, so don’t give you child an additional dose separately. Always read product labels to avoid giving your child too much medicine.

Because of the fever’s role in fighting infections, some pediatric experts advise no treatment if the child is eating and drinking well and engaged in normal activities.

Febrile seizures—seizures caused by a high fever—can be scary for parents, but are a relatively common and harmless side effect of fevers in young children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They do not mean your child has a seizure disorder and do not cause brain damage. In addition, most children outgrow febrile seizures by the time they are 6 years old. It is still a good idea, however, to let your doctor know if your child experiences a febrile seizure.

Finally, if a febrile seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a fever, call your child’s doctor right away.