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Contact: Amy Blaser

(COLUMBUS, Neb.) – When your body detects an illness, it responds by raising its temperature to fight
that illness. This is known as a fever — a condition that helps you fight various infections, bacteria and
viruses.

Symptoms that may prompt you to check your child's temperature include:

• Dry mouth
• Earache
• Vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Pale appearance
• Skin rash
• Sore or swollen joints
• Sore throat
• Stomach pain
• Limpness
• Difficulty breathing
• Whimpering

An infant may have high-pitched crying, fussiness and swelling of the soft spot on the head.

It's tempting to feel your child's forehead to check for a fever, but this isn't a reliable method. Instead,
use a thermometer meant for taking human temperatures.

There are three types of digital thermometers that can be used for accurate readings: multi-use,
temporal and tympanic. The standard for fever varies based on your child’s age and how you take their
temperature.

When a child has a low fever but can eat, drink, sleep and play normally, treatment may not be
necessary. You can provide care at home by keeping your child comfortable and doing the following:

• Dress them in light clothing. Offer a blanket if they have chills or are shivering.
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
• Provide fluids, such as water and soups, to prevent dehydration. Ice pops and flavored gelatin
  can also help with hydration and sore throats.
• Use over-the-counter medication to help reduce the fever.

If your child has a fever that lasts more than 24 hours (for children under 2 years old) or three days (for
children over 2 years old), contact your child's doctor. You should also call if they still feel or act sick
after the fever has subsided.

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if your child:

• Has a fever that rises above 104 F repeatedly.
• Is younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher.

You should also seek medical attention if your child has a fever and:

• Additional symptoms, such as stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, rash, and nausea
  and vomiting.
• Behavior changes, such as being more tired or fussy than usual.
• A compromised immune system.
• Exposure to scorching temperatures, such as an overheated car.
  Seizures.

If you're not sure whether a fever has risen to the level of an emergency, call your primary care provider
or visit the nearest emergency room.

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Dr. Kevin Montgomery is the emergency department medical director at Columbus Community Hospital.