﻿Don't Be Fooled by Your Child's Fever - Or Lack of One | Everyday Health

Don’t Be Fooled by Your Child’s Fever — or Lack of One

Sometimes a sick child may not have a high temperature. Look beyond the thermometer for other signs.
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Fever is generally defined as a temperature above 100.4 degrees.

Fever is the body’s first weapon against infection. Bacteria are killed by heat, so when it's fighting an infection, your body turns up the temperature.

But today, most children are vaccinated against the most common serious diseases at a young age. For that reason, they may not have a high fever even when they are seriously ill.

“For the majority of children, parents should never use the fever as the sole indication to bring them to the doctor,” says James Homme, MD, of the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Homme says he is more concerned about a listless child with a low fever than a normal-acting child with a high fever.

“It’s really important for a parent to look at their child and assess how they act and interact compared to what they normally act like and make decisions based on that and not so much based on the fever,” says Homme.

A child with a low fever may still need to see the doctor, while a child with a relatively high fever may not.

Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Fever is generally defined as a temperature above 100.4 degrees. For infants less than 3 months old who have not yet had their vaccinations, any fever is a reason to see the pediatrician.

But for older children, a fever alone may not be reason to call a doctor. Look for other signs of distress like difficulty breathing, severe pain or vomiting.

If a child has those symptoms, regardless of what the thermometer says, call the doctor. If she does not, your child will probably get well on her own, and, as a parent, you just need to manage her symptoms.

That means making sure your child gets plenty of fluids and rest. You can also give appropriate doses of ibuprofen or acetaminophen; consult with your doctor about the proper dose.