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Home › Articles › Toddler Health › Baby Fever

Baby Fever

When Should You Worry When Baby Has a Fever?

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

  • is very drowsy or lethargic.
  • has other significant symptoms like neck pain, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, severe headache or sore throat or a seizure.
  • has other chronic diseases that affect the immune system, such as cancer or sickle cell disease.
  • has been in a very hot environment such as a hot car.

    • Some of these symptoms – such as severe vomiting – may occur even without a fever and should be reported, says Dr. Charles Shubin, director of pediatrics for Mercy FamilyCare at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md. Respiratory distress and/or a change in responsiveness also necessitate a call to the health care provider. "Another concern is that the child might be getting dehydrated either because of increased losses – fever can do this, or vomiting and/or diarrhea – and/or decreased intake (won't or can't drink)," says Dr. Shubin.

    Diagnosing Fever
    Most fevers are caused by very common infections such as colds, flu or ear infections. A majority of these are caused by viruses and need no further treatment, says Dr. DeGraw. "Fever is not a sign that your child automatically has a more severe infection or that he/she needs antibiotics," he adds.

    Fever itself is not a disease but rather a response to one, clarifies Dr. Shubin. "There should be concern about the child's other symptoms as well as the fever," he says. "The height of the fever is not an indicator of the severity of the child's illness in general."

    Some parents claim they can tell their child has a fever by feeling the forehead or temples. If you think there's a fever, use a thermometer, as it's the only sure way to diagnose a fever, says Dr. DeGraw. Even then, the thermometer has to be used and interpreted correctly, says Dr. Shubin.

    The type of thermometer you use matters. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the discontinuation of use of mercury-containing thermometers. The most accurate reading can be obtained by using a digital thermometer either orally or rectally.


    Pages:  1  2  3  4  

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    Comments

    Found 2 comments
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    Re: Baby Fever by anonymous on 08/02/2009 09:50PM

    I feel like i might be able to sleep now

    Re: Baby Fever by Danon on 06/03/2009 03:17AM

    I'm lying in bed with my 5-month old daughter and her fever waiting on a response from a local nurse hotline about whether or not to take her into the ER. I decided to do a little research while I waited and this article really helped me realize that I don't need to take her in at all. My oldest has never ran a high temp before so I was a little alarmed but that gut feeling we mothers have was right again! Thank God for that and information like this that's accessible at all hours. Thanks so much for the tips.

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