From the Triage Desk

As we head toward fall and winter, we start getting quite a few calls about children with fevers and how to manage them.  It can be anxiety-inducing to feel a hot forehead or see your child with less energy than normal.   However, most of the time a fever will pass on its own and can be managed at home when you know what to look for and what to do.

What is a fever?

A fever is the elevation of the body’s temperature outside of a normal range suggesting that the immune system has been activated in some way.  This can be due to illness or infection as well as vaccinations.  The body’s temperature fluctuates frequently, even from one time of day to the next.  Clinically, we consider a fever a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.  Fevers are not actually bad!  In fact, a fever is a sign that your body is providing you with the necessary defense it needs to heal.  The important thing is managing the fever and understanding the root cause of why it is there.

What other symptoms might a fever cause?

In addition to warm/flushed skin, a fever can cause:

• Fever
• Chills
• Decrease in energy
• Excessive thirst
• Decrease in urination
• Irritability
• Sweating
• Body/muscle aches

How do you manage a fever at home?

If your child has a temperature under 102 degrees Fahrenheit and seems unbothered, you do not HAVE to medicate them.  A tepid bath, cool compresses, and fluids are interventions that may help lower the temperature and provide comfort. If your child has a fever over 102 or is experiencing unpleasant symptoms alongside it, you can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen.  Please note, only children over 6 months of age can consume ibuprofen.  For more information on weight-based dosing and frequency, please refer to our dosing chart.

When should I call the doctor’s office?

There are a number of reasons why a fever might require medical intervention. Please refer to our website for a comprehensive look at situations that would warrant a phone call to us.  Generally speaking, if a child has a fever with no other symptoms and is acting completely normal, you should check in with us if it has been present for over 48 hours. If your child is 0-3 months of age, please call the office with any rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or over 3 months of age with a temperature of 102 or higher.

Do I need to take my child to the Emergency Department?

Typically, you do not need to visit the Emergency Department to manage a fever. There are some cases where it might be necessary (a temperature over 105 degrees Fahrenheit, concern for dehydration, a fever in a newborn baby, etc.) but we can help you determine that. If you are ever unsure, call us!  Even outside of business hours, we have an on-call service and one of our doctors available to help you determine next steps.

Always remember – we are here to help. Stay well!