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Fever is one way your child's body fights an infection. The most common illness in children is infection from a virus. There are thousands of different viruses. Fever can also result from an infection with bacteria. Fever itself will not harm your child. How high the fever is does not tell you how serious your child's illness is. How your child acts is a better sign. Normal temperatures* in children are:
$ z) U2 |# ]( N6 d( \* [• Rectal: 36.6 - 38.0 degrees Celsius (97.9 - to 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit) : g7 A7 i- p9 B4 U" D' o1 Z
• Mouth: 35.5 - 37.5 degrees Celsius (95.9 - 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) 6 ]! q. n9 u& h7 R# ^$ S% n
• Underarm: 34.7 - 37.3 degrees Celsius (94.5 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit) ' }2 T V7 u$ {3 |/ }( f( ~
Infants under 60 days: 36.3 - 37.3 degrees Celsius (97.3 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit) 6 F8 f; O \3 g. ^
• Ear: 35.8 - 38.0 degrees Celsius (96.4 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
- N+ D7 T) L" E* q% F* `" v*Canadian Pediatric Society4 i9 g7 Q7 R. p j/ k
A baby less than three months old with a fever needs to be seen by a doctor8 G, ~$ I: B! ?1 h" C' M
Temperature Conversion Chart! |, l8 O, M0 f
Celsius = Fahrenheit1 ~8 b2 ]7 k. m
36.0 = 96.8
8 A6 l) V* d: E2 o* I37.0 = 98.6
9 }9 B. P- h2 F/ y! S8 o0 r37.5 = 99.5
& ^ W ]3 N! H38.0 = 100.48 Y1 z7 Y; F, i. ]& ~6 J- ?
39.0 = 102.2
/ ?; A- U# {+ V" A4 o2 `40.0 = 104.0. ~& e: K1 L$ w+ O1 Y
41.0 = 105.8; V, r. k7 J$ y* c; {
When to Have Your Child Examined ~& b6 ~9 h4 n x' o7 B [
You should always call your family doctor or go to emergency department if your child:
7 t( D8 s9 q& k$ r4 K% \$ n! S& U• has trouble breathing
. j: d" d/ @ X9 Y• has a temperature higher than 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) at any age
$ E0 S1 C0 R! ^) y" O: ^• has a stiff neck and bad headache 9 _) i7 g a" h
• refuses to drink or is throwing-up (vomiting) often
( ]# f2 |, o- e" H3 |+ g• becomes more fussy or irritable, even when given acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol, Tempra) or ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil)
( a) j7 K1 f9 Z/ o2 a4 c• is hard to wake up or is confused
2 g/ c$ g! k5 C/ }8 U6 ~% L7 S• is becoming dehydrated from fluid loss due to sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea ( j* o0 E' G& ` Z
• has abdominal pain that has not stopped for at least 2 hours 2 n0 Z/ k. [" }( `- u6 P# ]" P8 U
• has a fever with a rash that looks like small bruises 9 s6 H: j R, l- }- G
• looks very ill or you are worried
* k6 Q- G, t# v4 C: z• has had a fever for more than 48 to 72 hours and does not seem to be getting better
( Z. Y' P4 h/ B/ x! GTreatment, x8 R; p! K/ L
There are some things you can do to help children feel better when they have a fever:7 x: A8 y/ Y7 A4 Z' q2 t c
1. Fluids ) y2 [7 ]& G8 x5 }+ k0 ]: w
Many children will not be hungry when they are ill. However, you should try to give them plenty of fluids to drink, such as milk, soup, yogurt, popsicles, or Jell-O. Watch for signs of dehydration:7 p7 {, o# P( ~# H- _
• dry mouth (inside of mouth is sticky)
; a8 R4 H2 _) {4 M' Z' ?. }• no tears when crying ( t- [+ Z8 E) G# T/ n
• sunken eyes
; C+ g: I/ h b( a, b1 A• is not passing urine (peeing) or has diapers that are less wet than usual & r2 `* E- x, s9 x
• tired and weak( x N5 d9 U. m
2. Acetaminophen (Tempra or Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) + C' C2 a- k$ e& \1 }2 A
Remember that fever helps the body fight infection. A fever does not always need to be treated. If your child feels uncomfortable, whether or not it is due to the fever, you can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. * {. m+ H' R" P/ q0 E/ U
Remember to check the bottle for the concentration of the medication to make sure that you give the right dose. If you are not sure, call:8 x# g% S: A& s- L. w& O4 ?
• Calgary Health Link at 403-943-LINK (5465)
! P' }- P( `1 t5 m/ z( ^4 Q& H" G• Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465)
4 t* e: E+ T" y% O9 [• 1-866-408-LINK (5465) toll-free if you live outside of these two areas
5 @% E( z7 }, j3 Q8 Z2 Y& z) QProducts with aspirin (ASA) in them should not be given to children because of the risk of developing a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
; N2 W1 L& R) H/ oCough, cold, and sinus products have other medications added. These products are usually not recommended or needed.
# ~" \* n* ?( w1 r' l3. Bathing + b4 D* P7 G- c
Having a bath may make your child feel more comfortable, but it does not really change the temperature inside the body. Try a lukewarm bath or wet face cloths. A bath that is cool will be uncomfortable. It can also cause the child to shiver, which can make the temperature go even higher. Alcohol baths and alcohol rubs are not recommended, as a child's skin can absorb alcohol.
) g& b3 z% W$ o# O% I. a% v4. Clothing ( Z6 s7 v1 c4 ?. N) P
Losing heat through the skin allows the body to lose heat and may make your child feel more comfortable. Dress light clothing. If your child starts to shiver, add warmer clothing - remove them when the shivering stops.
+ Y* q9 B; S, i# @1 @" kGetting Help
1 E0 P1 b' g4 q& r8 U, ZIf you are unsure about your child's fever, call your family doctor or Health Link at:5 h- B; _* L' q$ Z
• Calgary Health Link at 403-943-LINK (5465) ; H: K$ ]" Q8 w4 g! K1 Z! C
• Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465)
5 C$ [+ n0 @. o# l5 s5 E0 k• 1-866-408-LINK (5465) toll-free if you live outside of these two areas
5 c3 y* \) \0 r- `2 T4 JMore Information* J7 w' }( y* [9 V9 z7 X0 N
• Ask the Experts (Your Health Magazine)
1 D3 P- u& F( Y4 t9 D* K• Child's fever - Link FAQ Oct 12, 2006
7 \+ _9 Y) F; N4 J• Febrile seizure – Link FAQ Mar 1, 2008 / I' k3 l: k0 @) ]/ S9 E; u' |
• How to Take a Temperature: Children and Adults
$ J, ]. j2 u9 h! g: f• Temperature Rising—Fact or Fiction (Your Health Magazine) |
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