An overdressed infant in a very warm room can get a higher than normal reading on a thermometer. Many caretakers can feel a child and instantly know whether they have a fever and even be pretty close to the actual temperature, but how does a parent know when the fever is serious? These tips should help.
Commonly defined as a rectal temperature of anything above 100 or an oral temperature of 98.6, fevers are something the body uses to assist itself in fighting off infections. Low grade fevers can also accompany teething.
Parents may be aware that their child has a fever by watching for certain signs in the child’s behavior:
- Lack of interest in playing
- Appearing to be uncomfortable
- Lack of appetite
- Not drinking fluids as normal
- Appearing listless
While fevers will *very seldom cause brain damage as was once feared, there are times a child needs to receive immediate medical attention:
- The child is 4 months old or less.
- They have a fever accompanied with a stiff neck.
- A fever of 105 which has not lowered after in home treatment has been tried.
- A temperature of 106.
- The child is unconscious.
- A child is prone to febrile seizures and is having a seizure immediately after the first.
- The child is experiencing a seizure for 5 minutes or more.
- The child is lethargic.
- Urination is painful.
- The child is dehydrated.
- The child is in pain.
- The child is delirious, hallucinating, or confused.
Medical attention should be given when:
- The fever lasts more than 3 days.
- There is rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing.
- The child has difficulty swallowing.
- The child is experiencing a purple rash where the skin does not get lighter when pressed upon.
- The fever is accompanied by head ache, vomiting, diarrhea, or a soft spot on an infant’s head. This may be a sign of Encephalitis or Meningitis.
- There is rapid or difficult breathing.
Home treatments may consist of:
Some of the ways to treat a fever at home would be Tylenol, Motrin, warm sponge baths (not alcohol), rest and plenty of fluids. While the child is suffering from a fever use fewer clothes and less bedding to cover them.
Brain damage could possibly happen, but rarely.
*One of the rare circumstances that may cause a child’s fever to elevate and could possibly cause brain damage would be to have a child with a high fever in a situation such as sitting in a car with an elevated temperature (inside the car).
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Excellent parental guide so well composed for easy education.
Thanks, Roberta. I truly appreciate your support!
My one daughter had almost 106, and was admitted into the hospital when she was 2 yrs. old. She now has nervious system problems. Her doctors have told me they don’t think it was due to her high fever, but I’ll never know for sure. Remember this great article, if a child you know develops a fever.
Jenny, I don’t think doctors even know the mysteries of childhood diseases and their possible complications. I am so sorry to hear that she has nervous system problems. My youngest had febrile seizures which were truly frightening. We learn a lot while caring for our children.
Child’s fever needs immediate attention from the parents. This article is a very useful guide for parents too.
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