FEVER

Fever is the body’s usual and normal response to inflammation and is most commonly caused by an infection. Unfortunately, many parents fear fever in their children and occasionally panic. Fever can increase your child’s discomfort or cause sleepiness and loss of appetite. However, rarely is the fever itself harmful. It causes no permanent injury to the brain unless it reaches 107 degrees. Fever is defined as a temperature over 100.4 degrees The most accurate methods to obtain the temperature is rectally or orally. Under the age of six months, we recommend taking the temperature rectally. Mild elevations in temperature can be caused by exercise, warm clothing, a hot bath or hot weather.

The most common type of infection to cause fever is a virus. Often the degree of fever is out of proportion to the seriousness of the illness. Many minor infections can cause high fevers and more serious infections may cause only a mild fever. Fever is often highest at night, but this does not necessarily mean that the infection is worsening. In fact, many times fever will last 3-4 days despite appropriate treatment of the underlying infection.

The primary treatment of fever is with acetaminophen such as Tylenol or Tempra or with ibuprofen such as Motrin or Advil. For children over two (2) years of age, we recommend using the dosages and intervals recommended by the manufacturer. For children under two (2), we recommend the following dosages using either Tylenol suspension or Children’s Motrin suspension, recognizing that Tylenol is generally given every four (4) hours and Motrin every 6-8 hours:

  • If your child is from 10-15 pounds, give ½ tsp.;
  • From 16-20 pounds, give ¾ tsp.;
  • From 21-30 pounds, give one (1) tsp.;
  • From 31-40 pounds, give 1½ tsp.

Remember, these dosages are for the Children’s suspension form of both medications.

If you are using Tylenol infant drops, the dose is as follows:

  • From 6-11 pounds, give 0.4 ml;
  • From 12-17 pounds, give 0.8 ml;
  • From 18-23 pounds, give 1.2 ml;
  • From 24-30 pounds, give 1.6 mg.

The infant drops should only be given with the dropper provided; and the elixir should be given with a dosage syringe. The goal of bringing down the fever is to provide comfort. Many times the temperature will not return to normal even when using medication for fever. It probably means that the body is still fighting the underlying infection. Aspirin should not be used to treat fever since it has been associated with Reye’s Syndrome.

Other methods used to treat fever include giving cool liquids to drink, and dressing in less clothing. Persistent shivering will drive the body temperature up. Rubbing alcohol should never be used for sponging as the vapors can cause illness.

While all children get fevers, only 4% ever have a febrile convulsion. Since this type of seizure is only frightening but generally harmless, it should not be feared. The vast majority of children will never have a febrile seizure regardless of how high the fever reaches. Other signs and symptoms should be noted to warn of a worsening condition: increasing sleepiness, breathing problems, persistent vomiting or increasing pain.

You should consider talking to our office if these conditions apply:

  • If a fever 101 degrees persists for greater than 48 hours;
  • If there is a previous history of febrile seizures, or
  • If there are persistent symptoms such as sore throat, coughing, burning with urination, earache or abdominal pain.

You must call our office immediately if you have an infant under 6 weeks of age with a temperature over 100.4 degrees taken rectally. Please call 345-3133 during regular office hours or after hours for assistance.

This advice on fever is presented as general information and is not meant to be specific treatment for your child’s medical problem. If you need further assistance, call 855-9160 during regular office hours to speak with one of our Health Information Nurses.