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Fever, Age 11 and Younger
About this symptom
It can be hard to know whether you should call your doctor when your child has a fever, especially during the cold and flu season. The degree of the fever may not be related to the seriousness of the illness. The way your child looks and acts is a better guide than the thermometer. Most children will be less active when they have a fever.
If your child is comfortable and alert, eating well, drinking enough fluids, urinating normal amounts, and seems to be improving, home treatment without medicine is all that is needed for a fever. If you are not able to measure your child's temperature, look for other symptoms of illness and follow these home treatment measures.
- Encourage your child to drink extra fluids or suck on Popsicles. Your child should be urinating at least every 6 to 8 hours.
- Dress your child lightly, and do not wrap him or her in blankets. Dressing lightly will help your child's body cool down.
Keep your child comfortable
Lowering your child's temperature is important when the fever is causing discomfort. If your child is uncomfortable:
| Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your child's fever or pain: |
|---|
Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. |
| Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
|---|
|
- Try giving your child a sponge bath with lukewarm water. Do not use cold water, ice, or rubbing alcohol.
- Encourage quiet activities.
- Watch for signs of dehydration.
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your child's symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
- Your child's temperature gets higher and he or she appears sicker than before.
- You suspect your child has an extremely high fever.
- Home treatment is not making your child feel better.
- There is a significant decrease in your child's activity level or level of consciousness, or your child acts confused or struggles with you for no reason.
- Signs of dehydration develop.
- Pain develops or the pain becomes more severe.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 14, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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