- Fever is the body's natural response to infection, and most are not harmful.
- Age makes a difference in understanding childhood fevers.
- Call your pediatrician if your child's fever lasts 3+ days of is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms.
It can be a scary situation, especially for first-time parents. Your little one is sick and has a temperature. Do you need to drop everything and head straight to the pediatrician’s office?
The answer depends on your child’s age and the temperature.
A fever is the body's natural reaction to an infection, and it means that your child's body is fighting off an infection. Even though fevers often make your child feel bad, most fevers are not harmful.
If your child has worrisome symptoms such as rash, decreasing energy, a really bad cough or more than three days of fever, then it's time to talk to your child's physician.
Read on for more age-specific guidelines.
0-3 Months
100.4° F or higher (taken rectally): Call your pediatrician. At this young age, a fever might be one of the only signs of a serious illness.
3-6 Months
Up to 102° F (taken rectally): Aim for rest and fluids. If your little one is unusually irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable, or if the fever lasts more than 24 hours, call your pediatrician.
Above 102° F (taken rectally): Call your pediatrician. An exam might be necessary to determine the cause of the fever.
6 Months to 2 Years
Above 102° F (taken rectally): Use a fever reducer such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprophen). Do not give aspirin to children.
Check with your pediatrician’s office if you are unsure about how much to give your baby.
If your child’s fever does not go down with medication, or if the fever lasts for more than three days, call your pediatrician.
2-17 Years
102° F and above (rectally for children 3 and under; orally for children older than 3): Rest and plenty of fluids are your best bet. If your child’s fever lasts for more than three days, or they are acting unusually lethargic, irritable or uncomfortable, call your pediatrician.
And remember to watch your child closely; you know your child best! Any behavior that is out of sorts or unusual for your little one could be a sign of something more serious.
This article was reviewed by Carilion Children's physicians.
