Fevers can be alarming, but when should you really be concerned? 
Should I make a doctor’s appointment? Should I wait? What about my infant that has a fever?
As a mom of two, pediatrician Erica Red Corn, MD, with Olathe Health Pediatricians – Olathe Medical Park, is very familiar with the questions that come with a fever. Dr. Red Corn breaks down how to treat fevers and when to see your pediatrician.
What is a fever?
A fever is any body temperature greater than 100.4o F. Fevers are very common in children, are generally a sign of a healthy immune system trying to fight an infection and are very rarely dangerous for a child. In fact, only temperatures greater than 109 F can cause damage to a person’s body.
Some reasons to take your child to their pediatrician for a fever:
– Temperature is 105 F or greater.
– Fever persists for more than 3 to 5 days.
– Your child has had ill symptoms for several days before the initial onset of their fever. This could be a sign a secondary infection, such as an ear infection, has developed.
– If your child is two months of age or younger and has a temperature of 100.4o F or greater, they need to immediately be seen by their pediatrician.
Treating your child’s fever:
– Fevers are very rarely dangerous for your child. They help their bodies fight infection so they do not have to be treated.
– Keep your child hydrated.
– Medication may be necessary if your child is uncomfortable from their fever.
– Over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be used to treat your child’s fever.
– Ibuprofen can ONLY be used in children six months and older.
– Dosing of medications should be done based on your child’s weight.
Some parents are concerned about their child experiencing febrile seizures when they have a fever:
– Febrile seizures occur in approximately 3 to 4 out of every 100 children between 6 months and 5 years of age.
– Generally, they occur at the very onset of fever, or within the first few hours of the fever.
– If your child has a febrile seizure, place them away from any hard or sharp objects and turn their head to the side. Call your child’s pediatrician, or take them to be seen by a physician. However, if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, call 911.
– Febrile seizures can be very scary to witness, but simple febrile seizures will not cause damage to your child.
– Children who have one febrile seizure have a 30 to 50% chance of having a second febrile seizure. However, their risk of developing epilepsy still remains low.
To learn more about pediatric fevers and treatment, click here.
