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A fever is defined by most healthcare providers as a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) and higher when taken rectally. The body has several ways to maintain normal body temperature. The organs involved in helping with temperature regulation include the brain, skin, muscle and blood vessels. The body responds to changes in temperature by: When ...
Fever in a young baby can be a sign of a dangerous infection. Your child is of any age and has repeated fevers above 104°F (40°C). Your child is younger than 2 years of age and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) that lasts for more than 1 day. Your child is age 2 or older and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) that lasts for more than 3 days.
- Overview
- Is a fever dangerous?
- When to contact a doctor
- When to seek emergency care
- Should a caregiver try to reduce a fever?
- Treatment
- What to avoid
- Tips on taking a child’s temperature
- Potential causes
- Summary
A fever can occur in toddlers for a variety of reasons. While not all fevers are serious, certain conditions that cause high temperatures in toddlers need urgent medical attention.
A fever usually means that a child’s body is fighting off an infection. However, there are symptoms a person should look for when a toddler has a fever.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child’s normal body temperature should be between 97ºF (36ºC) and 100.4ºF (38ºC).
Children and babies can have higher temperatures than adults, as they have a larger surface area compared to their body weight. Toddlers also sweat less and have a faster metabolism, which can cause them to have a higher body temperature.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends contacting a doctor if a toddler experiences a fever of 102ºF (38.8ºC) or more.
A parent of caregiver should also contact a doctor if the toddler has:
•other signs of illness, such as rash
•a fever that lasts for 5 days or more
•a fever that does not reduce with acetaminophen
•a cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
A review from 2019 noted that only 1 in 100 children with a fever will require urgent medical attention. However, an individual should seek urgent care if the toddler experiences:
•difficulty breathing, including nostrils widening with each breath
•wheezing
•fast breathing
•shortness of breath
•ribs showing with each breath
A caregiver does not always need to reduce a fever. A fever lower than 101ºF (38ºC) does not require treatment unless the toddler is uncomfortable.
Fever occurs due to the body reacting to contracting a viral or bacterial infection. Bacteria and viruses can thrive at the body’s normal temperature — by increasing its internal temperature, the body can help kill the infection.
To help make the toddler feel more comfortable, a person can:
•ensure the child drinks plenty of water
•put cool, damp cloths on the foreheads, wrists, and calves
•dress them in loose, light clothes
•give them medication, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
When giving a toddler medication to treat their fever, a person should ensure they give the correct dose. The FDA recommends that an individual speaks with a doctor before giving medication to a toddler below the age of 2 years.
Parents and caregivers should be aware of the following when treating a toddler’s fever:
•do not rub a toddler down with alcohol, as the skin may absorb it, leading to coma
•do not put a toddler in a cold or ice bath, as this can cause shivering and increase their temperature
•do not undress the toddler
•do not delay seeking medical attention for a toddler who appears very ill
•do not give a toddler any medication not meant for a child
A person can take a child’s temperature in a variety of ways, including:
•Forehead temperature: Although this is appropriate for children of any age, using it in direct sunlight can affect temperature readings.
•Mouth temperature: This is suitable for those above the age of 4 years. A person places the tip of the thermometer under the tongue and waits until they hear a beep. To get an accurate reading, individuals should wait for 30 minutes after the child has had anything hot or cold to drink.
•Ear temperature: This is appropriate for those older than 6 months. When using an ear thermometer, aim the tip slightly diagonally toward the face.
There are many reasons why a toddler might have a fever. Possible causes include illness due to viruses or bacteria, such as:
•the common cold
•urinary tract infections
•ear infections
•rubella
•mumps
There are many reasons why a toddler might have a fever. This symptom is a byproduct of a child healing from acquiring an infection, and it does not necessarily need treating. However, a caregiver can provide home care to help the infant feel more comfortable.
Seek medical help if a toddler has a fever of 102ºF (38.8ºC) or more.
Jun 1, 2020 · Your child has a fever greater than 102° F (or 39° C). It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s worth checking in with a doctor or nurse to go through things and see if a visit to the office or emergency room makes sense.
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Unexplained fever is when a child has a temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit that lasts a minimum of eight days with no clear cause even after a child has been evaluated by health care providers and received lab testing.
Jan 23, 2023 · Outline. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS. INTRODUCTION. DEFINITIONS. CAUSES. OVERVIEW OF EVALUATION. Setting. Pace. Approach. INITIAL EVALUATION. History. Fever history. Associated complaints. Exposures. Ethnic or genetic background. Examination. Initial diagnostic testing. Basic tests for all patients. Additional targeted tests.
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Mar 13, 2023 · Recurrent fever syndrome isn’t an autoimmune disease, in which your child’s acquired (adaptive) immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Recurrent fever syndromes typically (but not always) start when your child is a baby or toddler.
