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How To Care For Your Child With Fever
- Do not be afraid of fever. Fever is necessary for your child to fight an infection.
- Fever is present when your child's rectal temperature is over 101°.
- Many children become uncomfortable when their temperature is over 101° rectally, and for that reason, we recommend treating the fever.
- If your child becomes sick with a fever (coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, watery diarrhea, lethargic, or irritable) or just not acting normally - please call the office. Never feel uncomfortable about calling.
- All fevers do not require antibiotics. Most fevers in children are caused by viruses, which will get better without antibiotics. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections.
- If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a temperature over 101°, call our office immediately. This can sometimes indicate a more serious infection.
- Fever caused by a virus may last 1-4 days. Call the office if the fever lasts longer than 4 days.
Treatment
- Keep your child dressed comfortably when fever is present. When your child has fever, the body controls the fever by allowing heat loss through the skin (this is why your child's skin feels warm when fever is present). Overdressing your child may prevent normal heat loss through the skin and can make your child’s temperature rise.
- NEVER use heavy covers, blankets, or quilts to cover your child. A single sheet is all that is necessary.
- Keep the room temperature between 68-70°. Air conditioning can be used if the room temperature is too hot.
- Cool air vaporizer or humidifier will make your child sleep more comfortably.
- It is safe to put your child to sleep with a fever. Check your child’s temperature every 4-6 hours.
- NEVER use alcohol baths. The alcohol can be absorbed through your child's skin and make your child sick.
- Some babies become lethargic or irritable when they have a fever. Fever of 104° does not mean your child is sicker than a child with a fever of 101°. Lowering the fever 1-2° and seeing your child more alert and playful, tells us that the fever was causing the lethargy or irritability.
- The best method to quickly lower your baby's fever is with a tepid bath. The water temperature should be between 90-95° (warm to touch). In order to be most effective, your child's entire body, up to the neck, should be under water. It may be necessary for you to get in the bath with your baby. Keep the bathroom warm. If your child becomes more irritable with a bath, do not use this method.
- Wrapping your child in cold towels, or just sponging with cool water is not as effective in lowering fever.
- Continue to offer your child plenty of fluids. For babies under 1 year, breast milk or formula should be continued. If your child will not drink, please call the office.
Tylenol and Motrin
- These medicines will help make your child more comfortable and may lower the fever. Do not become alarmed if your child's temperature does not return to normal when using these medicines. Use the doses as indicated in the charts.
- More important is how your child is acting when the temperature is elevated. If your child is pleasant and playful, do not be concerned. Some children will become lethargic or irritable with fever. If your child improves when the fever is reduced, continue to give these medicines.
- If your child is irritable or lethargic when the fever is reduced, please call our office.
- Do not alternate Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (Ibuprofen) without talking with our office. This is unnecessary and can make your child sick.
- Continue using these medicines at least 12 hours after your child's fever has returned to normal (less than 101').
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Infants'
Concentrated
Drops
80 mg/0.8 mL |
Children's
Suspension
Liquid
160 mg/5 mL |
Children's
Soft Chews
Chewable Tablets
80 mg each |
Junior Strength
Chewable
Tablets
160 mg each |
| Dose |
Dropperful |
Teaspoon (TSP) |
Tablet |
Tablet |
| WEIGHT |
AGE |
(Use only the
dropper provided) |
(Use only the
dropper provided) |
|
|
| 6-11 lbs |
0-3 mos |
1/2 = (0.4mL) |
|
|
|
| 12-17 lbs |
4-11 mos |
1 = (0.8mL) |
1/2 (TSP) |
|
|
| 18-23 lbs |
12-23 mos |
1-1/2 = (0.8mL+0.4mL) |
3/4 (TSP) |
|
|
| 24-35 lbs |
2-3 yrs |
2 = (0.8mL+0.8mL) |
1 (TSP) |
2 |
|
| 36-47 lbs |
4-5 yrs |
|
1-1/2 (TSP) |
3 |
|
| 48-59 lbs |
6-8 yrs |
|
2 (TSP) |
4 |
2 |
| 60-71 lbs |
9-10 yrs |
|
2 1/2 (TSP) |
5 |
2 1/2 |
| 72-95 lbs |
11 yrs |
|
3 (TSP) |
6 |
3 |
| 96 lbs & over |
12 yrs |
|
|
|
4 |
| One Dose of Acetaminophen lasts 4 hours |
 |
Ages 6 mos-23 mos
Infants' Motrin
Concentrated
Drops
50 mg/1.25 mL |
Ages 2-11
Children's
Motrin
Suspension
100 mg/5 mL |
Ages 2-11
Children's
Motrin
Chewable Tablets
50 mg |
Ages 6-11
Junior Strength
Motrin
Tablets
100 mg |
Ages 6-11
Junior Strength
Motrin
Caplets
100 mg |
| Dose |
Dropperful |
Teaspoon (TSP) |
Tablet |
Tablet |
Caplet |
| WEIGHT |
AGE |
(Use only the
dropper provided) |
(Use only the
dropper provided) |
|
|
|
| Under 6 Mos |
Consult Your Child's Doctor |
| 12-17 lbs |
6-11 mos |
1 = (1.25mL) |
|
|
|
|
| 18-23 lbs |
12-23 mos |
1-1/2 = (1.875mL) |
|
|
|
|
| 24-35 lbs |
2-3 yrs |
|
1 (TSP) |
2 tablets |
|
|
| 36-47 lbs |
4-5 yrs |
|
1-1/2 (TSP) |
3 tablets |
|
|
| 48-59 lbs |
6-8 yrs |
|
2 (TSP) |
4 tablets |
2 tablets |
2 caplets |
| 60-71 lbs |
9-10 yrs |
|
2 1/2 (TSP) |
5 tablets |
2 1/2 tablets |
2 1/2 caplets |
| 72-95 lbs |
11 yrs |
|
3 (TSP) |
6 tablets |
3 tablets |
3 caplets |
| One Dose of Ibuprofen lasts 6-8 hours |
Taking Your Child's Temperature
Obtaining an accurate measurement of your child's temperature requires some practice.
Shaking a Glass Thermometer: Be very careful when using a glass thermometer. Never shake the thermometer by a sink where it can be accidentally broken. Shake until the mercury line is below 97°.
Digital Thermometer: Digital thermometers are safer to use and will automatically alert you when the thermometer can be taken out.
Where to Take the Temperature
- Rectal temperatures are the most accurate.
- Oral or eardrum temperatures are also accurate if done properly.
- Axillary (armpit) temperatures are the least accurate but are better than no measurement.
- For a child younger than 5 years old, a rectal temperature is preferred. Axillary temperature is adequate for screening if it is taken correctly. If your infant is less than 3 months old and axillary temperature is over 99°F, recheck by taking a rectal temperature. The reason we need a rectal temperature taken for young infants is that if they have a true fever, they need to be evaluated immediately.
- For a child 5 years old or older, take the temperature orally (by mouth).
Taking Rectal Temperatures
- Have your child lie stomach down on your lap.
- Before you insert the thermometer, apply some Vaseline to the end of the thermometer and to the opening of the anus.
- Insert the thermometer into the rectum (insert silver tip about 1/2 inch). Never try to force it past any resistance.
- Hold your child still while the thermometer is in.
- Leave the thermometer in your child's rectum for 1 minute, take out and read.
Taking Axillary Temperatures
- Place the tip of the thermometer in a dry armpit.
- Close the armpit by holding the elbow against the chest for 5 minutes. You may miss detecting a fever if the thermometer is removed before 5 minutes.
- If you are uncertain about the result, check it with a rectal temperature.
Taking Oral Temperatures
- Be sure your child has not taken a cold or hot drink within the last 30 minutes.
- Place the tip of the thermometer under one side of the tongue and toward the back. An accurate temperature depends on proper placement. Have your child hold it in place with the lips and fingers (not the teeth) and breathe through the nose, keeping the mouth closed.
- Leave it in the mouth for 3 minutes.
- If your child can't keep his or her mouth closed because of nose blockage, suction out the nose.
Reading a Glass Thermometer
Rotate the thermometer between your fingers until you can see where the mercury ends.
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