Fever

Fever is a normal response and not a disease that requires treatment. Fever is the body’s defense against illness and the body’s natural way of fighting infection. Fever is a temperature above 100.4degrees F,  rectally or above 99.5degrees F, orally.  Brain damage from a fever does not occur unless the fever rises above 107.6 degrees F. according to the National Institute of Health.

The main reason to reduce fever is to make the child more comfortable. As body temperature rises the child becomes more uncomfortable, and administration of Tylenol or Motrin may make them feel more comfortable.  Both of these medications are fever reducers , not fever eliminators.  At best, they will bring down the temperature by two degrees.  Other than providing symptomatic relief, these medications will not alter the course of the infectious process.  Fevers may be constant, or intermittent with spikes of high and low temperatures.   If fever causes discomfort for your child, you may give acetaminophen (Tylenol) every four hours, or, if your child is over 6 months of age, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6 hours. 

Do not alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen to treat fever.

Contact the doctor if your child:

-has a temperature of 100.4 (rectal) in an infant under 8 weeks of age

-has had the fever for 3 days with no other symptoms

-has had the fever for 24-48 hours with other symptoms of illness (ie. cold symptoms, cough, urinary frequency, sore throat, etc.)