Fever Care

How To Care For Your Child With Fever

Do not be afraid of fever. Fever is the body's way to fight an infection.
If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature over 100.4°, call our office IMMEDIATELY. This can sometimes indicate a more serious infection.
Over 3 months of age, 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.
Fever caused by a virus may last up to 4 days. Call our office if the fever lasts greater than 4 days.
If your child becomes sick with a fever (coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, watery diarrhea, lethargic or irritable) or just not acting normal - please call the office. Never feel uncomfortable about calling.
All fevers do not require antibiotics. Most fevers in children are caused by viral infections, which get better without antibiotics. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections.

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.
NEVER use heavy covers, blankets, or quilts to cover your child. A single sheet is all that is necessary.
NEVER use alcohol baths. The alcohol can be absorbed through your child's skin and make your child sick.
Keep the room temperature between 68-72°. Humidifier (winter) will help your child sleep more comfortably.
The best method to quickly lower your baby's fever is with a tepid bath. The water temperature should be 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 child. 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.

TREATMENT WITH ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN

These medicines will help make your child more comfortable and lower the fever. Do not become alarmed if your child's temperature does not return immediately to normal when using these medicines.
Fever of 104° does not mean your child is sicker than a child with a fever of 101°. Some children become irritable, lethargic or listless with fever. If your child improves (more pleasant and playful) when the fever is reduced, then we know it is more the fever that is making your child uncomfortable than the actual infection.
Continue giving these medicines for at least 12 hours after your child's temperature has returned to normal (less than 101°).
If your child is irritable, lethargic or listless when the fever is reduced, please call our office.

HOW OFTEN ARE THESE MEDICINES GIVEN

Acetaminophen: every 4 hours
Ibuprofen: every 6 hours (not under 6 months of age)

CAN ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN BE ALTERNATED?

Please call our office before alternating these medicines.
Acetaminophen can be alternated with Ibuprofen every 6 hours so that one drug is administered every 3 hours.

Example: Acetaminophen followed by Ibuprofen 3 hours later and Acetaminophen again 3 hours later and Ibuprofen again 3 hours later.

WHERE TO TAKE THE TEMPERATURE

Rectal temperatures are the most accurate (especially under 6 months).
Ear temperatures over 6 months of age.
Oral temperatures over 4-5 years of age.
Axillary (armpit) and Forehead temperatures are the least accurate.

RECTAL TEMPERATURES

Lay your child across your lap face down.
Before you insert the thermometer, apply some Vaseline to the end of the thermometer or use a pre-lubricated thermometer cover.
Spread the buttocks apart and gently insert the rectal thermometer 1/2 inch (enough to cover the tip of the thermometer) Hold your child still while the thermometer is in.
Leave the thermometer in your child's rectum until you hear a beep.

ORAL TEMPERATURES

Be sure your child has not had a cold/hot drink within the last 30 minutes.
An accurate temperature depends on proper placement. Place the tip of the thermometer under one side of the tongue and toward the back of the mouth. 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 place until you hear a beep.
If your child can't keep his or her mouth closed because of nasal congestion, use saline nose drops to loosen the mucus and then suction out the mucus.

EAR TEMPERATURE

Since most ear canals have a slight bend, it is important to use the following simple ear canal straightening technique. This will make it easier for the thermometer to view the warmest part of the eardrum.

Children up to 1 year of age:

Using your free hand, grasp the earlobe at the top.
Gently, but firmly, pull the earlobe straight back and insert the thermometer into the ear canal and press the activation button. Hold in the ear canal until you hear a beep (1-3 seconds).

Children over 1 year of age:

Using your free hand, grasp the earlobe at the top.
Gently, but firmly, pull the earlobe up and back and insert the thermometer into the ear canal and press the activation button. Hold in the ear canal until you hear a beep (1-3 seconds).

AXILLARY TEMPERATURES

Place the tip of the thermometer in a dry armpit.
Hold your child's arm tightly against his or her side until you hear a beep.
If you are uncertain about the result, check it with a rectal temperature.

STRENGTHS OF ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN

Acetaminophen Infant Suspension: 160 mg/5 ml: comes with a syringe.
Acetaminophen Children's Suspension: 160 mg/5 ml: has a measuring cup.
Ibuprofen Infant Concentrated Drops: 50 mg/1.25 ml: comes with a syringe.
Ibuprofen Children's Suspension: 100 mg/5ml: has a measuring cup.

ACETAMINOPHEN / IBUPROFEN COMBINATION COLD MEDICINES

Many over the counter cold, cough and flu medicines also contain acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Always read the ingredients of any medicine before giving to your child. Avoid using these combination medicines to lessen the chance of overdosing on acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Acetaminophen Dosage Chart

(Give every 4 hours)

Use child’s weight (not age) to determine the appropriate dose