When your baby or infant has a fever: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (2024)

FAQs

When your baby or infant has a fever: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia? ›

Most fevers are harmless and are caused by mild infections. Overdressing a child may even cause a rise in temperature. Regardless, you should report any fever in a newborn that is higher than 100.4°F (38°C) (taken rectally) to the child's health care provider.

Your baby makes a fever to fight off germs. The immune system increases the body temperature to help get rid of germs without causing harm to your child. A fever often makes your baby feel hot and look flushed. Fevers can cause headaches or body aches, sweating or shivering.

Infants younger than 3 months of age whose temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should be evaluated by a doctor because fevers in infants can indicate a serious illness. In kids between 3 months and 3 years of age, a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher requires a call to your pediatrician.

Fever can sometimes lead to a febrile seizure (also known as a febrile convulsion) – particularly in children between the ages of three months and five years. Although simple febrile seizures can be very alarming, they usually only last a few minutes and are not dangerous.

Doctors need to rule out a serious bacterial infection, such as meningitis, sepsis/bacteremia, or a urinary tract infection. Testing is especially necessary in infants, because the source of their fever is difficult to determine and because their immature immune system puts them at high risk of serious infection.

FEVER DEFINITION — We regard a rectal temperature of ≥38°C (100.4°F) as fever in infants 29 to 90 days old. Most studies establishing the risk of serious infections in febrile young infants have relied upon rectal temperatures. Thus, they are the standard for detecting fever in infants ≤90 days old.

In general, call the doctor if your child is: younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. 3 months or older with a temperature higher than 102.2°F (39°C) any age but has a health problem like cancer or sickle cell disease and has a fever.

Evaluation recommended — A health care provider should be consulted in the following situations: Infants who are less than three months of age who have a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or greater, regardless of how the infant appears (eg, even well-appearing young infants should be evaluated).

What is considered a low-grade fever in babies? ›

With babies and children older than 6 months, you may need to call if the temperature is greater than 103, but more than likely, associated symptoms will prompt a call. A rectal temperature between 99 and 100 degrees is a low-grade fever, and usually does not need a doctor's care.

People with high fevers usually feel much better after taking medicine to reduce the fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), are options. Your doctor will treat any underlying infection if necessary.

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.

Also call your child's doctor if:

Your child still "acts sick" once their fever is brought down. Your child seems to be getting worse. The fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years. The fever persists for more than 3 days (72 hours) in a child 2 years of age or older.

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.

In children between 6 months old and five years of age, fever can trigger seizures. These are called febrile convulsions. A child may get an odd look on their face for a few moments, then stiffen or twitch, roll their eyes, and become unresponsive for a short time.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child: your child has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature. your baby's temperature is 38C or higher if they're under 3 months old. your baby's temperature is 39C or higher if they're 3 to 6 months old.

Offer soft foods often and in small amounts but do not force them to eat. Give sponge baths or let your child soak in a tub. Water should be lukewarm, not too hot or cold. Use a wash cloth to sponge the water over your child's body.

Can I let my child sleep with a fever? # If your baby is under 3 months and has a fever over 100.4°, please call your pediatrician right away. For babies or toddlers over 3 months, it is safe to allow sleep, even with a fever.