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How do you treat a fever in a child?
How do you treat a fever at home?
What if my child has a fever above 104?
Feb 26, 2022 · Children; Age Temperature What to do; 2-17 years: Up to 102 F (38.9 C) taken rectally for children ages 2-3, or taken orally for children older than 3: Encourage your child to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Medication isn't needed. Call the doctor if your child seems unusually irritable or lethargic or complains of significant discomfort. 2 ...
- Overview
- Know when to see your doctor
- Drink fluids
- Get plenty of rest
- Take an over-the-counter medication
- Try herbal remedies
- Stay cool
- The bottom line
Unlike bacteria, viruses don’t respond to antibiotics. In most cases, viral illnesses simply have to run their course. Staying hydrated or using over-the-counter fever-reducing medications can help until it resolves.
A viral fever is any fever that happens as a result of a viral infection. Viruses are tiny germs that spread easily from person to person.
When you contract a viral condition, such as a cold or flu, your immune system responds by going into overdrive. Part of this response often involves raising your body’s temperature to make it less hospitable to the virus and other germs.
Most people’s usual body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C). Anything 1 degree or more above this is considered a fever. A fever can last anywhere from a couple of days to a week or longer, depending on the type of infection causing it.
For children
A high fever can be more dangerous for a young child than an adult. Here’s when to call your child’s doctor: •Children ages 0 to 3 months: Rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. •Children ages 3 to 6 months: Rectal temperature is above 102°F (39°C) and they’re irritable or sleepy. •Children ages 6 to 24 months: Rectal temperature is above 102°F (39°C) that lasts for more than a day. If they have other symptoms, such as a rash, cough, or diarrhea, you may want to call sooner. For children 2 and older, call their doctor if they have a fever that repeatedly rises above 104°F (40°C). Also seek medical advice if your child has a fever and: •They seem unusually lethargic and irritable or have other severe symptoms. •The fever lasts longer than three days. •The fever doesn’t respond to medication. •They don’t maintain eye contact with you. •They can’t keep fluids down.
For adults
Fevers can also be risky for adults in some cases. See your doctor for a fever that’s 103°F (39°C) or higher that isn’t responding to medication or lasts longer than three days. Also seek treatment if a fever is accompanied by: •severe headache •rash •sensitivity to bright light •stiff neck •frequent vomiting •trouble breathing •chest or abdominal pain •convulsions or seizures
A viral fever makes your body much warmer than usual. This causes your body to sweat in an effort to cool down. But this leads to fluid loss, which can cause dehydration.
Try to drink as much as you can when you have a viral fever to replenish lost fluids. It doesn’t have to be just water, either. Any of the following can provide hydration:
•juice
•sports drinks
•broths
•soups
A viral fever is a sign that your body is working hard to fight off an infection. Cut yourself some slack by resting as much as possible. Even if you can’t spend the day in bed, try to avoid as much physical activity as possible. Aim for eight to nine hours or more of sleep per night. During the day, take it easy.
It’s also best to put your exercise routine on a temporary hold. Exerting yourself can further raise your temperature.
Over-the-counter (OTC) fever reducers are the easiest way to manage a fever. In addition to temporarily reducing your fever, they’ll help you feel a little less uncomfortable and more like yourself.
Just make sure you keep getting plenty of rest, even if you feel better for a few hours after taking an OTC drug.
Common OTC fever reducers include:
•acetaminophen (Tylenol, Children’s Tylenol)
•ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Advil, Motrin)
•aspirin
People sometimes try herbal remedies to treat a fever. Keep in mind that these supplements have been shown to improve fever in animals. There’s no reliable evidence that they work in humans. Their safety in children is often unclear or unknown, too. It’s best to avoid these remedies in children.
It’s also important to note that the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t monitor the quality of supplements like they do for drugs. Talk to your doctor before trying any supplements. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can help cool down your body by surrounding it with cooler temperatures. Make sure you don’t overdo it. If you start to shiver, stop immediately. Shivering can cause your fever to rise.
Things you can do to safely cool off include the following:
•Sit in a bath of lukewarm water, which will feel cool when you have a fever. (Cold water will actually cause your body to warm up instead of cool down.)
•Give yourself a sponge bath with lukewarm water.
•Wear light pajamas or clothing.
•Try to avoid using too many extra blankets when you have chills.
A viral fever is usually nothing to worry about. In both children and adults, most viruses resolve on their own and are part of the healing process. But if you notice unusual symptoms, or a fever doesn’t go away after a day or so, it’s best to call your doctor.
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May 20, 2023 · Another option is ibuprofen if your child is at least 6 months old. There's a lot you can do to make them feel better. Put a cool compress on their head and keep their room at a moderate ...
Sep 5, 2023 · Your child’s average body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This reading can fluctuate throughout the day, ranging from 97.4 to 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature of higher than 99 degrees Fahrenheit is a sign that your child’s body is fighting an infection.
Apr 17, 2023 · Kids' Health. Fever. 5 Ways to Break a Fever. Ideas on How and When to Treat a Fever at Home—Safely. By Kristina Herndon, RN. Updated on April 17, 2023. Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD. Print. Table of Contents. View All. Rest. Hydrate. Lukewarm Baths. Stay Cool. Take Medicine.
In children, a fever that is making them uncomfortable should be treated. Treating your child's fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any faster; it simply will relieve discomfort associated with fever. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years can develop seizures from fever (called febrile seizures).
