It’s midnight and your child feels warm to the touch. You take out the trusty digital thermometer and get a 103.5 reading. Frantically, you go straight to the medicine cabinet, pull out the Tylenol? and then dial your pediatrician’s office hoping to get reassurance that a trip to the emergency department isn’t warranted.  You’re scared, anxious and afraid that this is an indication of a serious problem.

For so many parents, this scenario is all too familiar. But in most cases, fever isn’t dangerous. The fear of fever is a myth that has been around for as long as there have been children. Although it is scary when your child’s temperature continues to rise, fever itself won’t cause harm and is actually a good thing. It is how the body fights off an infection.

A fever begins at 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A normal bodily temperature is usually around 98.6 and will fluctuate throughout the day being a little lower in the morning and higher in the evening. Fever occurs when the body’s internal thermostat raises its temperature above the normal level. Most causes of fever are benign, self-limited viral infections that are just a common part of childhood, especially if your child is in a child-care or pre-school setting.

According to Dr. Noel “Kip” Frizzell of Pediatric Consultants in Memphis, “The best thing that parents can do is get to know their child’s normal behavior and gauge the situation from there.”  He offers three general rules to ask yourself when your child has a temperature:
1. Is your child’s breathing labored?
2. Is he/she having any forceful vomiting?
3. Is your child crying inconsolably?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, he says it’s probably best to go ahead and call your pediatrician’s office. Dr. Kip says that he would rather see a child with a temperature of 99.9 accompanied with any of the three symptoms than a child who has a temperature of 103.5 and none of them. 

Dr. Kip stresses that if you have an infant under the age of three months with a rectal temperature of 100.4 you need to call your pediatrician immediately. Fever in newborns does require an exam to ensure that the infant does not have another potentially harmful condition.
The one thing you can do for your child when he or she has a fever is make them as comfortable as possible. You can provide them relief by administering a dosage of acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the child is 6 months or older. Most children with a temperature of less than 102 don’t need medication, but if you notice that your child is uncomfortable, it won’t hurt to go ahead and medicate them. You should also keep them dressed in light clothing, keep the house at a comfortable temperature, offer plenty of fluids and make sure your child is resting. 
 

Knowing your child’s normal behavior and the symptoms that are accompanying the fever is the most important information for you to consider. As long as you don’t notice any of the three red flags, a trip to the doctor’s office probably isn’t necessary. Just remember to stay on top of the situation and monitor your child closely.  “The majority of our after hours calls are about fever,” says Frizzell. “It’s a very broad concern for all parents, but in most situations, it’s not a result of something serious.”

Fever 101 - A Parent’s Guide
When does fever begin?
100.4 degrees Fahrenheit measured rectally;  99.5 degrees Fahrenheit measured orally and 99 degrees Fahrenheit measured under the arm.

What does fever mean?
Fever is the body’s natural defense against infection. Most causes of fever are benign, self-limited viral infections.

When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor if you have an infant under three months of age with a rectal temperature of 100.4. or if your child is experiencing any of the following:
• Labored breathing
• Forceful vomiting
• Inconsolable crying
You should also call your doctor if you have an older child with a temperature higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

What should I do if my child has a temperature of 104 but is acting fine?
If your child is not exhibiting any of the behavioral red flags, medicate your child with a dosage of acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child is six months or older. Continue to monitor your child’s behavior and call the doctor if the fever has not gone down after 24 hours with medication.

What type of thermometer and method gives the most accurate temperature reading?
A digital thermometer administered rectally will give you the most accurate temperature.