Fever

Child with a Fever

A fever is a temperature of 100.4° or greater rectally. Temperatures normally vary during the day. Children can have temperatures up to 100° as a normal variation. Fever is a symptom of an illness and finding the cause may require a visit to the office. If your child is less than 2 months old with a fever of 100.4° or greater, please call our office before administering any medication. A rectal temperature is most accurate since it picks up temperatures from the body’s core.

What to do:

  • It is not necessary to treat a temperature less than 102°, unless the child is uncomfortable
  • For a temperature of 102° or more, or if the child is uncomfortable, give Tylenol or some other form of acetaminophen (see dosage chart). You may also give Motrin or ibuprofen if the child is 6 months or older (see dosage chart).
  • Encourage fluids
  • Keep the child cool
  • Use a minimum of clothing; keep the house cool; if temperature is 104° or greater, sponge bathe or bathe the child in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.

Call us immediately if:

  • The fever is 105° or higher after fever-lowering medicine has been given or the child is less than 6 months of age
  • He looks and acts extremely ill (i.e., is difficult to arouse, refuses to eat, is disinterested in playing, speaks without making sense, or appears extremely sick after fever-lowering medicine has been given.)
  • The fever is greater than 100.5° in an infant less than 2 months of age.
  • The child has a convulsion for the first time (body stiffness, eyes roll, limbs jerk)

Call us promptly during regular office hours if:

  • The fever is greater than 101° for more than 24 hours and your child is under 1 year of age
  • The fever comes and goes, but other symptoms are present for more than 3 days

The portal is a convenient way to leave non urgent messages for the staff to communicate with your MD, the business office or our advocates. It is monitored during business hours on Monday thru Friday from 9AM to 4PM. It is not monitored on the weekends. Please call the office for any urgent concerns.