Seeing your child come down with a fever can be one of the scariest experiences you’ll ever have to go through as a parent. But as long as you are alert to the signs and act quickly, the chances are very good that your child will eventually be fine.
Danger Signs
If you have a small child, even a slight spike in temperature can signify a potentially serious problem. Fever does help the body fight off an infection, but it can also mean your child needs medical attention.
For example, if the child has a severe headache, vomits repeatedly, is listless or has a fever that lasts for more than a couple of days, you need to get in touch with a doctor as soon as you can.
Taking Your Child’s Temperature
Even if your child isn’t showing signs of a serious problem, you should still take your child’s temperature every couple of hours if he or she has a fever. You need to monitor the temperature so that you can take immediate action if needed.
One of the best ways you can tell if your child is in danger is by taking his or her temperature rectally.
If the temperature is 100.4° F or higher and the child is 3 months old or younger, get medical help immediately. If the child is between 3 and 6 months, get help if the temperature is 102° F or higher and he or she is irritable or lethargic.
Call a doctor if your child is between the ages of 6 months and 2 years and has a temperature higher than 102° F for more than a day.
Call Pediatric Healthcare of Northwest Houston at (281) 655-1500 (Houston) or (936) 539-8190 (The Woodlands/Conroe) if you’re ever concerned about your child’s health.
