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Fevers in kids are usually caused by an infection. A fever helps the body by stimulating the immune system to fight the infection. Doctors also think the higher temperature makes it harder for the germs to grow. A few other reasons kids can have a fever:
Your child has a fever if he or she: Has a rectal, ear or forehead (temporal artery) temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher; Has an oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher; Call your doctor if: Your child is younger than 3 months and has a fever; Seek medical care if a child of any age shows any of the following:
Fever in Infants and Children. By Deborah M. Consolini, MD, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Reviewed/Revised Nov 2022. View Patient Education. Pathophysiology |. Etiology |. Evaluation |. Testing for Acute Fever |. Testing for Chronic Fever |. Treatment |. Key Points.
Most fevers in children are caused by viruses. A much smaller number are due to bacterial infections, such as ear infections, strep throat or pneumonia. Prolonged fever, meaning fever for more than a week, or recurring fevers can be a sign of underlying chronic disease, so it is important to check with your child's primary care provider.
Normal body temperature is higher in preschool-aged children and highest at about 18 to 24 months of age. However, despite these variations, most doctors define fever as a temperature of 100.4° F (about 38° C) or higher when measured with a rectal thermometer (see How to Take A Child's Temperature).
Fever - Stanford Medicine Children's Health. What is a fever? A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. It often means there is an abnormal process occurring in the body. Exercise, hot weather, and common childhood vaccines can also make body temperature rise. What causes a fever? A fever is not an illness by itself.
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 ...
