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Fever Guide for Parents and Caregivers

The document discusses fever in children, including what a fever is, common signs and symptoms of illness, how to check a child's temperature, treating a fever at home, and when a parent should call the doctor about a child's fever. A fever is a raised body temperature and is a sign of illness rather than the illness itself. Parents should check for other symptoms, treat the fever with fluids and medication, and call the doctor if the fever is very high or persists for multiple days.

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194 views2 pages

Fever Guide for Parents and Caregivers

The document discusses fever in children, including what a fever is, common signs and symptoms of illness, how to check a child's temperature, treating a fever at home, and when a parent should call the doctor about a child's fever. A fever is a raised body temperature and is a sign of illness rather than the illness itself. Parents should check for other symptoms, treat the fever with fluids and medication, and call the doctor if the fever is very high or persists for multiple days.

Uploaded by

wade.lauren
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fever and

Your Child

What is a fever?
Fever is when body temperature is above normal.
A fever is not an illness. Rather, it is a sign or
symptom of sickness.

Signs and Symptoms of Sickness Checking Your Child’s Temperature


• Tired or fussy
There are two scales for measuring temperature:
• Glassy eyes, runny nose, cough F (Fahrenheit) and C (Celsius). Temperature can
• Loss of appetite, throwing up, diarrhea be taken orally or rectally. Digital thermometers
• Sweating, shivering, chills are very accurate, but temperatures can vary
by site. When taking your child’s temperature,
• General weakness, muscle aches record the the temperature, time, and site to relay
• Red face, hot skin this information to your health care professional.
• Higher-than-normal body temperature The following temperatures are considered to be
normal and do not indicate a fever:
Treating a Fever at Home • Child from birth to 3 years old
• Give your child fluids Rectal: 100.4ºF (38ºC) or less
• Dress your child lightly to help keep him cool • Child 4 years old and older
Oral: 99.0ºF (37.2ºC) or less
• Sponge with lukewarm water
• Check temperature every 4 hours in the day
• Give a fever-reducing medication to help lower
body temperature. Check with your health care
professional for instructions on proper dosage.

National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness 1-888-227-5125 [email protected] 1 of 1


When should I
call the doctor?

Call your child’s doctor right away if


When to Call
Age Range your child has a fever and:
the Doctor
• looks very ill
100.4°F (38.0°C)
3 months • is unusually drowsy
or higher
(12 weeks) or less • is very fussy
• has other symptoms, such as:
3 - 6 months 102.5°F (39.2°C) • stiff neck
(12 - 24 weeks) or higher • severe headache
• severe sore throat
• severe ear pain
6 months 104.0°F (40.0°C)
(24 weeks) or older or higher • unexplained rash
• repeated vomiting or diarrhea
• has signs of dehydration, such as:
Fever lasts for more
2 years old or less • dry mouth
than 24 hours
• sunken soft spot
Fever lasts for more • significantly fewer wet diapers
than 3 days. • is not able to take in fluids
Any Age • has been in a very hot place, such as an
Fever rises above
104°F (40°C) overheated car
repeatedly • has had a seizure

Disclaimer: The information contained in this presentation should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and
advice of your pediatrician. More information can be found at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/
conditions/fever/Pages/default.aspx

National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness 1-888-227-5125 [email protected] 2 of 1

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