How to Deal with a Child's Fever

A child̵7;s fever can be frightening; you might wake up in the night to discover that your child is flushed, sweating and hot to the touch. In healthy children, a fever isn̵7;t necessarily an indicator of something serious, according to KidsHealth.org. Fevers typically mean that your child̵7;s body is fighting an infection. However, take appropriate steps to manage the fever and make your child feel more comfortable. If conditions worsen, you might need to make a doctor̵7;s visit.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take your child̵7;s temperature to begin tracking the fever̵7;s course. Note the day, time and temperature so that you can tell whether the fever is dropping or rising over the course of several hours. For infants, use a rectal thermometer and immediately visit a doctor if temperatures exceed 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Signs of fever include oral temperatures over 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit or auxiliary temperatures over 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Give your child plenty of fluids, but not too much fruit or apple juice, since this can cause stomachaches. You can dilute juice with water, or substitute ice pops or gelatin to encourage consumption. These last two options can help if your child̵7;s fever is also accompanied by vomiting.

    • 3

      Offer fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen products. Follow the directions on the label for appropriate dosage and administration. Children under the age of 2 months should not receive these medications before being evaluated by a doctor, according to KidsHealth. Never give children aspirin products, since these have been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious condition affecting the nervous system.

    • 4

      Call the doctor immediately if your infant under the age of 3 months has a fever. Fevers can compromise developing immune systems in infants, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Also contact a physician when a child under age 2 has a fever for more than 24 hours, or when a child over age 2 has a fever for more than three days.

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