Understanding Fever in Children: Essential Care Tips

What Temperature is Considered a Fever in Children?

Fever is the body’s natural response to infections, helping to activate the immune system. It’s important to understand what constitutes a fever and how to handle it properly. The average body temperature for a child is 98.6°F, but a fever is generally considered a temperature of:

• Greater than 100.4°F for infants under 2 months old

• Greater than 101.0°F for children over 2 months old

What Can Cause a Mild Fever?

Mild temperature increases can be triggered by:

• Exercise

• Excessive clothing

• A hot bath or hot weather

• Warm food or drinks

Teething does not cause a high fever, so if your baby is teething and has a high temperature, another cause should be investigated.

Fever and Its Relation to Illness Severity

The height of the fever does not always correlate with the seriousness of the illness. For example:

• A 101.0°F fever can accompany a serious illness.

• A 104.0°F fever can occur with a minor illness.

The key to assessing the seriousness of the fever is how your child acts. Pay attention to their behavior and overall well-being.

Fever can cause discomfort, aches, and irritability, but it can often be managed with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil), which can help reduce fever and make your child feel more comfortable. Keep in mind:

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen won’t cure the illness or shorten its course; it only alleviates symptoms.

• Fever is a symptom of an illness, not the illness itself.

• If your child has a fever but is otherwise acting normally and doesn’t seem very sick, it may not be necessary to treat it with acetaminophen.

When to Call the Doctor

You should call immediately if:

• Your child’s temperature is greater than or equal to 100.3°F, and they are under 2 months old.

• Your child is crying inconsolably.

• Your child is difficult to awaken.

• Your child has a stiff neck.

• You notice a purple dot rash on your child’s skin.

• Your child has difficulty breathing.

• Your child looks or acts very sick (1–2 hours after giving acetaminophen).

Dosage Chart for Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Below is the recommended dosage for acetaminophen based on age and weight. Be sure to follow these guidelines closely:

Infants & Children’s Suspension Dosage Chart