Q: Does teething cause a fever?
A: No, teething does not cause a fever. Fever is caused by illness.
Q: What do I do if my child has chills?
A: Chills are common when a fever is going up. If you haven't given a fever reducer already then go ahead and do so. Dress your child however they are comfortable. It doesn't hurt to wrap them up if that makes them feel better.
Q: What is considered a fever?
A: A fever is a temperature of 100.4 (38.0 degrees Celsius) or higher. Your body temperature does not stay the same all the time. Your body temperature can range from 97.0-100.3.
Q: How should I take my child's temperature?
A: There are many choices to use to take a temperature. The most accurate way to take a temperature is rectally. A cheap digital thermometer from the drugstore works fine for this. This method is preferred in infants under 6 months of age. Temperatures taken under the arm are not very accurate. Adding a degree is not helpful; please tell us what the thermometer read and how the temperature was taken instead. Ear thermometers are fairly accurate if they are correctly inserted into the ear. Young babies' ears are sometimes too small for the thermometer. Temporal thermometers are fairly accurate as well. In a cooperative child you can also take a oral temperature. We do not recommend pacifier thermometers or the ones that are a strip that you place on the forehead.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Fever 411
Fever is a popular topic in my office so I thought I would address some of the more common questions that I get asked.
Q: "At what temperature should I be worried?" Or "At what temperature should I take my child to the hospital?"
A: For a child over the age of 2 months there is not a particular temperature that we worry about. Fever is your body's natural way of fighting infection. So there is no need to go to the ER solely for a high temperature.
Q: "Why do we worry about a fever in a newborn or infant less than 2 months of age?"
A: Newborns have weak immune systems and a fever can be a sign of a serious illness. The fever won't hurt them but the illness might. If an infant has a rectal temperature of 100.4 or greater then you need to call our office right away.
Q: "When should I give my child a fever reducer?"
A: Fever doesn't hurt you. It just makes you feel bad so I would recommend giving your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen when the fever is high enough that they are uncomfortable.
Q: "What dose should I give my child?"
A: At every well child check our office gives you a handout that has the acetaminophen and ibuprofen doses listed for your child. The dose is based on weight not age. For older children the dose is listed on the package. Avoid using combination products that include acetaminophen along with cold or cough medications. These often lead to confusion and incorrect dosing.
Q: "How should I measure my child's dose of medication?"
A: If the package of what you bought includes a dropper then use that. Do not use that measuring device for any other medication. If you are using a product that comes with a cup you can use a syringe that has the same measurements on it (such as 1 tsp). You can also ask the pharmacist what measuring device they recommend. Do not use a silverware spoon to measure medicine. They are very inaccurate.
Q: "Can I alternate Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen)?"
A: This question is controversial. It is uncertain if this practice is safe and if it contributes to more patient comfort. The additional concern over this practice is that it increases the chance of inaccurate or over dosing of medication.
Q: "How do I prevent my child from havng a febrile seizure?"
A: Febrile seizures are not caused by an untreated fever or a certain height of fever. They are thought to occur due to genetic susceptibility and specific illnesses. Often the seizure occurs when the fever first goes up before the parent even realizes that the child is sick. Fever reducing medications do not prevent febrile seizures.
Q: "My child refuses to take medication by mouth so what do I do?"
A: My daughter went through this phase and it was quite frustrating. When she had a fever she was uncomfortable from the fever. Since fever isn't dangerous there is no need to give them anything, they will simply be uncomfortable like my child. (Thankfully this phase passes!)
Q: "When do I worry about my child?"
A: If your child acts like they have a high fever when they have no fever then it is time to be alarmed. When a fever goes up your child wants to lie around and not drink or eat. When the fever comes down then they should feel a little better and want to play. If they are lying around all the time or not drinking then it is time to be alarmed. If the fever lasts for 3 days or if it is accompanied by other things such as ear pain, sore throat, or difficulty breathing then it is time for us to see your child. Also at any time that your gut instinct tells you something is wrong then we will be happy to see your child.
Q: "At what temperature should I be worried?" Or "At what temperature should I take my child to the hospital?"
A: For a child over the age of 2 months there is not a particular temperature that we worry about. Fever is your body's natural way of fighting infection. So there is no need to go to the ER solely for a high temperature.
Q: "Why do we worry about a fever in a newborn or infant less than 2 months of age?"
A: Newborns have weak immune systems and a fever can be a sign of a serious illness. The fever won't hurt them but the illness might. If an infant has a rectal temperature of 100.4 or greater then you need to call our office right away.
Q: "When should I give my child a fever reducer?"
A: Fever doesn't hurt you. It just makes you feel bad so I would recommend giving your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen when the fever is high enough that they are uncomfortable.
Q: "What dose should I give my child?"
A: At every well child check our office gives you a handout that has the acetaminophen and ibuprofen doses listed for your child. The dose is based on weight not age. For older children the dose is listed on the package. Avoid using combination products that include acetaminophen along with cold or cough medications. These often lead to confusion and incorrect dosing.
Q: "How should I measure my child's dose of medication?"
A: If the package of what you bought includes a dropper then use that. Do not use that measuring device for any other medication. If you are using a product that comes with a cup you can use a syringe that has the same measurements on it (such as 1 tsp). You can also ask the pharmacist what measuring device they recommend. Do not use a silverware spoon to measure medicine. They are very inaccurate.
Q: "Can I alternate Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen)?"
A: This question is controversial. It is uncertain if this practice is safe and if it contributes to more patient comfort. The additional concern over this practice is that it increases the chance of inaccurate or over dosing of medication.
Q: "How do I prevent my child from havng a febrile seizure?"
A: Febrile seizures are not caused by an untreated fever or a certain height of fever. They are thought to occur due to genetic susceptibility and specific illnesses. Often the seizure occurs when the fever first goes up before the parent even realizes that the child is sick. Fever reducing medications do not prevent febrile seizures.
Q: "My child refuses to take medication by mouth so what do I do?"
A: My daughter went through this phase and it was quite frustrating. When she had a fever she was uncomfortable from the fever. Since fever isn't dangerous there is no need to give them anything, they will simply be uncomfortable like my child. (Thankfully this phase passes!)
Q: "When do I worry about my child?"
A: If your child acts like they have a high fever when they have no fever then it is time to be alarmed. When a fever goes up your child wants to lie around and not drink or eat. When the fever comes down then they should feel a little better and want to play. If they are lying around all the time or not drinking then it is time to be alarmed. If the fever lasts for 3 days or if it is accompanied by other things such as ear pain, sore throat, or difficulty breathing then it is time for us to see your child. Also at any time that your gut instinct tells you something is wrong then we will be happy to see your child.
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