SHOULD I TREAT MY CHILD'S FEVER?
There are pros and cons of treating fever. Fever may play a role in fighting infection, although it can make a child uncomfortable.
The height of a child's fever is not always the best indicator of whether the child needs to be treated and/or evaluated. Instead, it is important to note how a child behaves and appears. Fever is usually accompanied by other symptoms. Some of these symptoms require evaluation by a health care provider, even if there is no fever. The table provides a list of these symptoms (table 1).
In most cases, a child with a fever can be observed and/or treated at home. However, it is important for parents to know when a child with a fever needs to be evaluated by a healthcare provider, when fever should be treated, and when it is reasonable to observe the child without treating the fever.
These are general guidelines that do not necessarily apply to every situation; parents who have questions or are concerned about their child should contact their child's healthcare provider for advice.
Evaluation recommended — A healthcare provider should be consulted in the following situations:
Infants who are less than three months of age who have a temperature of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or greater, regardless of how the infant appears (eg, even well-appearing young infants should be evaluated)
Children who are older than three months who have a temperature of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or greater for more than three days or who appear ill (eg, fussy, clingy, refusing to drink fluids)
Children who are three to 36 months who have a temperature of 102ºF (38.9ºC) or greater
Children of any age whose temperature is 104ºF (40ºC) or greater
Children of any age who have a febrile seizure. Febrile seizures are convulsions that occur when a child (between six months and six years of age) has a temperature greater than 100.4º F (38º C). (See "Patient information: Febrile seizures".)
Children of any age who have recurrent fevers, even if the fevers only last a few hours
Children of any age who have a fever and have a chronic medical problem such as heart disease, cancer, lupus, or sickle cell anemia
Children who have a fever as well as a new skin rash
Treatment recommended — Treatment of fever is recommended if a child has an underlying medical problem, including diseases of the heart, lung, brain, or nervous system, or if the child has had febrile seizures in the past.
Treatment is helpful if the child is uncomfortable, although it is not necessary.
Treatment not required — In some cases, it is not necessary to treat a child's fever. A child older than three months who has a temperature less than 102ºF (38.9ºC), who is otherwise healthy and acting normally, does not require treatment. However, parents who are unsure if their child's fever needs treatment should contact the child's healthcare provider. (See 'Evaluation recommended' above.)