Fever

Fever by itself is not an illness. It is a rise in body temperature. It is a symptom or sign that a child's immune system is trying to fight off an infection. Fever is actually a healthy process. However, a fever can make a child fussy and uncomfortable.

Feeling your child's forehead is not a reliable way to tell if your child has a fever. All children up to 18 months old should have their temperature taken rectally.

Call our office for any of the following fevers:

• Birth - 3 months: 100.3° per rectum
• 3 months - 6 months: 101° per rectum
• 6 months - 12 months: 101.5° per rectum
• Any child with a temperature of 102.5° or higher

Regardless of age, call if any fever persists longer than 3 days, if your child can't be comforted, is irritable, cries inconsolably, has difficulty breathing, is lethargic, not feeding well, or has a convulsion.

Please keep in mind if your child has had immunizations, a temperature of 101° - 102° per rectum is not uncommon at 24 - 48 hours. If you observe this, please call our office to speak with the phone nurse.

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