A fever is one of the most commonly looked for sign of illness, but a fever in and of itself is not necessarily terrible. In fact, a fever can play a critical role in fighting infections. It is difficult for parents to know when they should just monitor their child’s fever and let it run its course or when they should bring them in to a pediatrics office in Temecula. Here are some guidelines for dealing with a fever that are meant for children who are otherwise healthy, have no serious underlying health conditions, have recently had surgery or are going through treatments such as chemo or radiation.
- Under 6 months. If your child’s temperature is above 102F rectally, call the doctor right away so they can determine if your child should be seen.
- 6-24 months. If your child’s temperature is above 102F rectally, give them Children’s Tylenol or something similar. Carefully read the label to make sure you know the right dose, and do not give any aspirin based medication. Call the doctor if the fever does not respond to the medication within a few hours.
- 2-17 years. If your child’s temperature is up to 102F, encourage them to eat and drink as much as they can and to get plenty of rest while the fever runs its course. Fever lowering medication can be given to help keep them comfortable. Call the doctor if the child is overly irritable or lethargic or if they are getting worse rather than better.
- 2-17 years. If your child’s temperature is above 102F, give them mediation as needed to keep them comfortable and have them drink to avoid dehydration due to sweating. Avoid giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Contact your pediatrician if the fever lasts more than 2 days or if the fever spikes despite the medication.
At any age, if the child has a fever and they are being very lethargic or overly irritable and inconsolable then that is cause for some concern, even with a lower grade fever. If any at point during the fever the child has trouble breathing, seems to be sweating more than normal, starts to shake, or complains about a racing heart or being dizzy or light headed, they should be taken to the nearest medical center immediately. Fevers are not dangerous nine times out of ten but an extremely high fever or a high fever with other symptoms can be a dangerous situation and should be addressed right away by a medical professional such as someone at a pediatrics office in Temecula or a local urgent care clinic or ER.
If you are still searching for a good pediatrician for your child, Children’s Primary Care Medical Group is ready to serve you and your child’s needs.
