fever (children, 17 years old, health, American)

[CharlotteIsabellasp]

How should I handle a high fever in kids?

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by CharlotteIsabellasp

How should I handle a high fever in kids?

Contact their pediatrician. Even this late at night they'll have an answering service.

[michaeluoharaer]

Contact a good Pediatrician.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by CharlotteIsabellasp

How should I handle a high fever in kids?

How old is the child?

How high is the fever?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, you should call your health care provider immediately.

Fevers above 104° F (40° C) are dangerous. They can cause brain damage.

Definitely call the pediatrician if this is the case or take the child to the emergency room. You can give tepid baths to try to bring the fever down.

Children ages 2 to 17 years old generally don’t need medication to reduce fevers under 102°F (38.9°C). They may benefit from medication if they’re experiencing symptoms such as irritability or muscle aches.

If their fever goes above 102°F (38.9°C), medication may be used to bring it down. If your child is very uncomfortable, or if their fever persists for more than three days, you should consult with your doctor.

[LO28SWM]

The general consensus across many many health care organizations is that 100.4 is the starting point for a fever, below that it's not a fever. And 104 DOES NOT cause brain damage. A child with a illness related fever over 104 needs to see a doctor but is not in danger. Persistant fevers need medical care, but it is not an emergency, call your pediatrician in the morning. If the temp goes upon 104 and wont go down take the child to urgent care or emergency room. Otherwise manage with tylenol.

These recommendations do not apply to children under 3 months of age.