Fevers are a common part of life that everyone experiences from time to time. However, it can be especially concerning when your child — or even more so, your baby — develops one. In those moments, parents often find themselves wondering what’s normal, what’s cause for concern, and when it’s time to seek medical attention.
What Is a Fever?
Our normal body temperature, of course, is 98.6°F. Most health care professionals consider a fever to be 100°F or higher. In most cases, a fever isn’t a serious medical condition, and they tend to be short-lived and subside as the infection passes.
When to Take Action
Of course, parents want guidance when it comes to addressing their kids’ fevers. Luckily, the rules around fevers are fairly well-established at this point. We recommend contacting your pediatrician’s office within the following circumstances:
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Your child is less than 3 months old and 100.4°F or higher.
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Your child is 3-6 months old, has a temperature of 102°F or higher, or has a lower temperature and is sluggish and irritable.
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Your child is 7-24 months old, has a temperature of 102°F for a full day, or has a lower temperature and other alarming symptoms.
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Your older child has a fever along with other concerning symptoms such as confusion, listlessness, vomiting or discomfort.
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Your child’s fever lasts for 3 days or more.
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If your child has a fever and a seizure, seek emergency medical attention (more on this below).
Most fevers can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, along with simple home care measures to keep your child comfortable, such as ensuring they get plenty of rest, stay cool, and stay hydrated with water or broth. However, be sure to contact your healthcare professional if any of the above symptoms develop or home care isn’t providing relief.
Febrile Seizures
While they are rare, another potential outcome of a fever that parents should be aware of is febrile seizures, which occur in about 3-4% of children. They most commonly impact kids between 12-18 months old, though they can occur earlier or as late as age 5. If a seizure occurs after 5 years old and the child has a fever, then this is not considered a febrile seizure and needs to be further evaluated by a neurologist. Febrile seizures are most common with higher fevers (102°F or higher) but can also happen with milder fevers. If your child does experience a febrile seizure, it’s incredibly scary. But parents should rest assured that most of them are harmless and do not impact your child’s long-term health if appropriate safety measures are taken.
A child experiencing a febrile seizure could have symptoms of stiffness, twitching, jerking of arms and/or legs, rolling of their eyes, abnormal tongue, mouth, and/or lip movements, and become unresponsive. They may also experience a change in breathing patterns and skin color.
If parents notice the signs of a febrile seizure in a child, they should place the child in a safe place, such as on the floor or in the middle of a bed and turn their head to the side to prevent choking. Then call 911 for emergency medical assistance, particularly if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. A child should be evaluated and treated for a first-time seizure at an emergency room.
The key to febrile seizures is knowledge and quick action by parents. In most cases, your child will be okay, and no long-term damage will occur due to this alarming fever complication.