Fevers: The most important things to know

Dear Parents,

As a pediatrician, I’ve learned from lots of parent convos that fever treatment is not always clear. Let's break down what you really need to know about managing your child's fever and when to call your doctor. 

What Actually Counts as a Fever? 

A fever is a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. While fevers can be uncomfortable, remember that fever is actually your child's body doing its job to fight infection.

When to Treat a Fever? 

Here's something that might surprise you - you don't always need to treat a fever! If your child is:

• Playing/Behaving normally

• Drinking well

• Sleeping well

Then the fever itself might not need treatment. We treat fevers primarily for comfort, not just to bring the number down. Treat the kid not the number. 

Should I Give Medicine? 

If your child is uncomfortable, medication can help. You can use:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 6 hours

• Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen) every 6 hours if over 6 months old 

Note: The most common reason a fever doesn’t respond to medicine is due to under dosing.

Tip: Write down the times you give medication to avoid confusion.

When to Call Your Doctor?

• Fevers lasting more than 3 days without other symptoms developing

• Fevers that last more than 5 days total

• Difficulty breathing

• Not drinking enough (less than 3 wet diapers/urinations in 24 hours)

• An acutely worsening cough followed by vomiting or cough without improvement after 2 weeks 

What to Expect? 

Most viral illnesses follow a pattern:

• Fever typically comes at the beginning and lasts no longer than 5 days (highest in the first 3 days)

• A runny nose might last 2 weeks

• A cough can persist up to 4 weeks but should improve after the first 2 weeks

Quick Myth Buster: 

The height of the fever doesn't tell us how serious the illness is. A fever of 104°F from a simple virus isn't necessarily more concerning than a fever of 101°F. The most helpful characteristic of fever is the trajectory and duration. 

Hope this breakdown helps!

Stay healthy, 

Dr. Emily 

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The content of this newsletter is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as, and should not be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter or by any content herein. If you might be experiencing an emergency please call your doctor or 911.