If you’re like most parents, your anxiety level rises along with your child’s temperature. Fever is a warning sign that your child may have an illness that needs attention. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stresses that fever itself is usually not a problem. In fact, it can be helpful.
Fever is a sign that the body is combating an infection. It helps kill bacteria and viruses. It also boosts production of infection-fighting white blood cells. There’s generally no need to worry about bringing a fever down unless it’s causing your child discomfort.
To treat or not to treat
A hand on your child’s forehead may be soothing, but it isn’t an accurate gauge of temperature. The AAP recommends you use a digital thermometer. It’s best to take the temperature rectally for children ages 3 and younger. A rectal temperature more than 100.4°F (38°C) is considered a fever. When taken orally, a temperature higher than 99.5°F (37.5°C) is diagnosed as a fever.
A child who is eating and sleeping well and having playful moments often doesn’t need any fever-lowering treatment. But call your child’s healthcare provider in these cases:
Age 3 months or younger: Rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Younger than age 2: Fever lasts more than 24 hours
Ages 2 and older: Fever lasts more than 72 hours
Any age: Fever repeatedly goes higher than 104°F (40°C) or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as having a seizure, severe sore throat, severe ear pain or headache, unexplained rash, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, unusual sleepiness, or very fussy behavior
Managing a child’s fever
When a fever is making your child uncomfortable, these steps may help:
Dress your child lightly to keep from overheating. Keep the room comfortably cool.
Encourage your child to drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Water, diluted fruit juice, and electrolyte solutions are good choices.
Discourage overexertion. But it’s OK for your child to get out of bed and play calmly.
You may also want to consider using acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce a fever above 102°F (38.9°C). For children younger than 2 years old, call the healthcare provider or pharmacist to find out how much medicine to give your child. For older children, follow label instructions.
Check with the healthcare provider before giving acetaminophen to a baby younger than 3 months. Ibuprofen should only be given to a baby older than 6 months. Don’t give ibuprofen to a dehydrated or vomiting child.
Don’t give aspirin to children—or teens. Its use by young people with viral illnesses has been linked to side effects ranging from stomach upset to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious disease that can harm the body, especially the liver and brain.
FAQs
For a low-grade fever, your care provider may not recommend taking medications to lower your body temperature. These minor fevers may be helpful in reducing the number of microbes causing your illness. Fevers above 102 F (38.9 C) tend to cause discomfort and often require treatment.
Do all fevers need to be treated? ›
“Depending on how uncomfortable your child appears, not every fever needs to be treated,” Blumberg said. “But if they do seem uncomfortable, you may want to start with an antipyretic … a medication given to reduce fever.” Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) are two of the most common.
Should you treat a fever or let it run its course? ›
Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Medication isn't needed. Call the doctor if the fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, shortness of breath, or other unusual signs or symptoms. If you're uncomfortable, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.
What happens if you only have a fever? ›
In adults, fevers less than 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C) typically aren't dangerous and aren't a cause for concern. If your fever rises above that level, make a call to your healthcare provider for treatment. In children, call your child's healthcare provider if: Their fever lasts more than five days.
Can fever go away without treatment? ›
Most cases of mild fever resolve by themselves within a couple of days. A mild fever (up to 39°C) can actually help the immune system to get rid of an infection. In children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, fever can trigger convulsions.
Can viral fever last for 10 days? ›
Viral fever usually lasts 3-4 days, and in a few cases, it can last up to 14 days. If the symptoms worsen or persist beyond 3 days, it can be due to an underlying viral infection. If left untreated or undiagnosed, it can lead to severe complications.
How long does a fever last if not treated? ›
Official answer. Most fevers caused by a virus last for 3 to 4 days, although some can last as little as 1 day, and others, such as one caused by Dengue fever, can last up to 10 days or more. Viral fevers can range in temperature from 99°F (37.2°C) to over 103°F (39.4°C), depending on the underlying virus.
Is it better to keep a fever or break it? ›
Even though this is a common practice, lowering body temperature has not improved survival in laboratory animals or in patients with infections. Blocking fever can be harmful because fever, along with other sickness symptoms, evolved as a defense against infection.
Is it better to take fever reducer or not? ›
For a low-grade fever, your care provider may not recommend taking medications to lower your body temperature. These minor fevers may be helpful in reducing the number of microbes causing your illness. Fevers above 102 F (38.9 C) tend to cause discomfort and often require treatment.
What are the 5 stages of a fever? ›
There are five patterns: intermittent, remittent, continuous or sustained, hectic, and relapsing. With intermittent fever, the temperature is elevated but falls to normal (37.2°C or below) each day, while in a remittent fever the temperature falls each day but not to normal.
While a fever isn't always harmful, you still shouldn't ignore it. Most times, a fever is caused by an infection, and some infections can be serious. In general, it's best to stay home. Your infection could be contagious to others.
What is the cause of unexplained fever? ›
The causes of fever of unknown origin (FUO) are often common conditions presenting atypically. The list of causes is extensive, and it is broken down into broader categories, such as infection, noninfectious inflammatory conditions, malignancies, and miscellaneous.
Why would someone have a fever but not be sick? ›
A fever does not tell you what is causing it, or even that a disease is present. It may be a bacterial or viral infection. Or, it could be a reaction from an allergy to food or medicine. Becoming overheated at play or in the sun can also result in fever.
When should I be worried about a 100.5 fever in adults? ›
Dangerous temperatures are high-grade fevers that range from over 104 F to 107 F. Low-grade fevers range from about 100 F-101 F; 102 F is intermediate grade for adults but a temperature at which adults should seek medical care for an infant (0-6 months). High-grade fevers range from about 103 F-104 F.
Is 99 a low-grade fever? ›
Some experts define a low-grade fever as a temperature that falls between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.3°F (38.3°C). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person with temperature at or above 100.4°F (38°C) is considered to have a fever.
What's a worrying temperature? ›
Adults. Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever: Severe headache.
When to go to the doctor for a fever? ›
Adults. Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher.
Can there be fever without infection? ›
The causes of fever of unknown origin (FUO) are often common conditions presenting atypically. The list of causes is extensive, and it is broken down into broader categories, such as infection, noninfectious inflammatory conditions, malignancies, and miscellaneous.
Do you always have an infection with a fever? ›
A fever may be the first or only sign of an infection. But with some infections, you may have other symptoms without a fever. Contact your 24 hour advice line immediately if you think you might have an infection. You may need treatment straight away.
