Fever – The Pediatric Clinic

What is a fever?

A fever means the body temperature is above normal. Your child has a fever if:

• The rectal temperature is over 100.4° F (38° C).
• The temperature taken by mouth is over 100° F (37.8° C).
• The armpit temperature is over 99.0° F (37.2° C).
• The ear temperature is over 100.4° F (38° C).
• The pacifier temperature is over 100° F (37.8° C).

Fever helps fight infections. Most fevers are not harmful. They may last 2 or 3 days.

How can I take care of my child?

• Use medicine only if the child needs it. Remember that fever helps your child fight the infection. Use medicine only if the fever is over 102° F (39° C) and your child is uncomfortable.
  • You can give acetaminophen (Tylenol) to children older than 3 months. Fever medicine lowers the fever by 2 to 3° F (1 to 1. 5° C).
  • You may want to give your child ibuprofen instead. Ibuprofen (Advil) works 2 hours longer than acetaminophen. Give the right dose for your child’s weight, every 6 to 8 hours, as needed. You can give ibuprofen to children over 6 months of age.

• Do not give your child or teen aspirin.
• Sponge your child if the fever does not go down. Sponge your child if your child’s temperature stays over 104° F (40° C) 30 minutes after your child has taken acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Always give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen first. Sit your child in only 2 inches of lukewarm water. Sponge off the child’s skin. If your child shivers, stop sponging or put in more warm water.
• Have your child drink a lot of cold fluids.
• Have your child wear as little clothing as possible. Do not bundle up your child. It may make the fever go higher.

For fevers of 100 to 102° F (37. 8 to 38.9° C), cold fluids and little clothing may be all your child needs. Your child may not need acetaminophen.

Call your child’s doctor right away if:

• Your child is less than 3 months old.
• Your child’s fever is over 104° F (40° C).
• Your child has a seizure.
• Your child looks or acts very sick.

Call your child’s doctor within 24 hours if:

• Your child is 3 to 6 months old (unless the fever is due to an immunization shot).
• Your child has had a fever more than 24 hours and you don’t know what is causing it AND your child is less than 2 years old.
• Your child has had a fever for more than 3 days.
• The fever went away for over 24 hours and then came back.
• You have other concerns or questions.

Fever – Teen Version

What is a fever?

A fever means the body temperature is above normal. You have a fever if your oral temperature is over 99.5°F (37.5°C).

The body’s average temperature when it is measured orally is 97.6°F (36.5°C), but it normally changes during the day. Oral temperature normally can change from a low of 95.8°F (35.5°C) in the morning to a high of 99.4°F (37.5°C) in the late afternoon. Mildly increased temperature (100.4° to 101.3°F, or 38° to 38.5°C) can be caused by exercise, heavy clothing, a hot bath, or hot weather. Warm food or drink can also raise the oral temperature. If you suspect such an effect on your temperature, take it again in a half hour.

How do I take my temperature?

1. Do not have a cold or hot drink for 30 minutes before you take your temperature.
2. Turn on the thermometer if you’re using the digital type.
3. Place the tip of the thermometer under one side of your tongue and toward the back.
4. Wait until the thermometer signals that you can take it out.
5. Read the display on a digital thermometer.

What causes a fever?

Fever is a symptom, not a disease. It is the body’s normal response to infections. Fever helps fight infections by turning on the body’s immune system. Most fevers (100° to 104°F, or 37.8° to 40°C) are not harmful. Most are caused by viral illnesses such as colds or flu. Some are caused by bacterial illnesses such as strep throat or bladder infections.

How long will it last?

Most fevers with viral illnesses last for 2 to 3 days. In general, the height of the fever doesn’t relate to the seriousness of the illness. How sick you feel is what counts. Fever does not cause permanent harm until it reaches 108°F (42°C). Fortunately, the brain’s thermostat keeps untreated fevers below this level.

How can I take care of myself?

• Extra fluids and less clothing

Drink extra fluids. Cold drinks are helpful. Body fluids are lost during fevers because of sweating.

Dress in light clothing because most heat is lost through the skin. During the time you feel cold or are shivering (the chills), wrap yourself in a light blanket.

If the fever is less than 102°F this is the only treatment needed. Fever medicines are not necessary.

• Medicines

Remember that the fever is helping your body fight the infection. Take medicine only if your fever is over 102°F (39°C) and you are also uncomfortable. You should take either acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Acetaminophen: Take any one of the acetaminophen products: Tylenol, Anacin-3, Panadol, or Tempra. The dosage is 2 tablets (650 mg) every 4 to 6 hours. 2 hours after they are taken, these drugs will reduce the fever 2° to 3°F (1° to 1.5° C). Medicines do not bring the temperature down to normal unless the temperature was not very high before the medicine was taken. You will need to take repeated dosages of the drugs because the fever will go up and down until the illness runs its course.

Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen is available in 200-mg tablets without a prescription as Advil, Motrin, etc. The dosage is 2 tablets (400 mg) of ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. When you use ibuprofen, stop taking acetaminophen.

Avoid aspirin: Doctors recommend that anyone under age 21 years) not take aspirin if they have any symptoms of a cold or viral infection, such as a fever, cough, or sore throat. Aspirin taken during a viral infection, such as chickenpox or flu, has been linked to a severe illness called Reye’s syndrome.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call immediately if:

• Your fever is over 104°F (40°C).
• You have fever along with a severe headache, confusion, a stiff neck, trouble breathing, or you can’t drink liquids.

Call within 24 hours if:

• Your fever went away for more than 24 hours and then returned.
• You have a fever for more than 3 days.
• You have other concerns or questions.

Home Treatment and When to See a Doctor

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Fever is an increase in the body’s temperature above normal. Body temperature is usually lowest in the morning and goes up through the day. Each person’s body temperature can be different. It is hard to give an exact temperature for a fever, but most health care providers agree that a fever is a temperature of 100.4˚ Fahrenheit (F) or 38˚ Celsius (C) or higher.

Fevers can show that the body is fighting an infection from a virus or bacteria. It can also happen after getting a vaccine, from getting overheated, or from a very bad sunburn. Many times, the fever does not need to be treated and will go away on its own.

How to Take a Temperature

The type of thermometer used may make a difference.

• To take a temperature, use a digital thermometer. Never use a mercury thermometer.
• Rectal (in baby’s bottom) thermometers are the most accurate.
• Forehead (temporal artery) thermometers are the next best choice if used the right way.
• Oral (mouth) and ear (tympanic) thermometers can be used if done properly. For oral temperatures, wait 30 minutes after drinking something hot or cold. For ear, wait 15 minutes after coming in from the cold.
• Lastly, an axillary (armpit) temperature can be used as a quick check but it is not very accurate.

The best ways to check your child’s temperature depends on their age.

• Under 3 months:  rectal or forehead thermometers
• 4 months or older:  rectal, forehead, or axillary thermometers
• Older than 6 months:  rectal, forehead, ear, or axillary thermometers

• 4 years old or older:  oral (mouth), forehead, ear, or axillary thermometers

Be sure to tell your child’s health care provider which method you used.

Home Treatment

A fever may not need to be treated unless your child is uncomfortable. Even higher temperatures are not usually dangerous unless they have a long-term illness.

• Dress your child in light clothing. Over dressing them can trap the body’s heat and make the temperature go higher.
  • Babies under age 1:  Dress them in a sleep sack or wearable blanket. Do not put loose blankets over them.
  • Children over age 1:  While sleeping, cover them with a sheet or light blanket.
• Give extra fluids.
  • Babies under age 1:  Continue to give breast milk and formula. They should not be given water. If they are older than 6 months, you can give Pedialyte®.
  • Children over age 1:  Offer extra liquids to drink, like water, diluted 100% juice, popsicles, or Pedialyte.
• Your child may not want to eat much. Offer soft foods often and in small amounts but do not force them to eat.
• Give sponge baths or let your child soak in a tub. Water should be lukewarm, not too hot or cold. Use a wash cloth to sponge the water over your child’s body (Picture 1).
  • Do NOT add alcohol to the water. It can be dangerous.
  • Recheck your child’s temperature 15 minutes after the bath. If the temperature is 103˚F (39.4˚C) or is going higher, repeat the sponge bath.
• Over-the-counter medicines can help lower a fever. Read the label on the bottle to know the right dose for your child.
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) may be used in all children over 2 months.
  • Ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®) may be used in children over 6 months.
  • Do NOT give aspirin to children (Picture 2). Aspirin has been linked to a disease called Reye’s syndrome, which can be fatal. 

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your child’s health care provider right away if your child:

• Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100. 4˚F (38˚C) or higher.
• Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:
  • Of 104 ˚F (40 ˚C) or above.
  • Above 102˚F (38.9˚C) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back.
  • That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.
• At any age, has a fever and:
  • Looks very ill, is very fussy, or very drowsy.
  • Is not eating or drinking and shows signs of dehydration – dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, dark urine, dry diapers, or not urinating.
  • Has a stiff neck, bad headache, very sore throat, painful stomach ache, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Has an unusual rash
  • Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car.
  • Has immune system problems that make them more likely to get sick, such as sickle cell disease or cancer, or takes a medicine that weakens the immune system.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department if your child has trouble breathing, has a seizure, or is hard to wake up.

Fever (PDF), Arabic (PDF), Nepali (PDF), Somali (PDF), Spanish (PDF)

HH-I-105 10/75 Revised 2/22 Copyright 1975, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

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Reducing Temperature Naturally with Plants

Fever, a common and frequent disease that everyone faces, is a symptom that manifests itself in an abnormally high body temperature in the absence of any intense physical effort. Plants can help in its treatment.

Indeed, the normal average human body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
Depending on the person, this average may be closer to 97.7°F (36.5°C) or 99.5°F (37.5°C).

The term “fever” is used whenever the resting body temperature rises to 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

In both children and adults, fever is usually the body’s immediate response to infection.

As long as the thermometer does not show a body temperature above 105.8°F (41°C), the fever itself is not dangerous. Thus, in most cases, no special treatment is required.

However, if the temperature exceeds 104°F (40°C), this increase in body temperature is considered a “serious and immediate health risk”, especially for young children. In this case, it is imperative to meet with a consultant doctor.

But is it possible to fight fever with plants? Why? When and how? Let’s look around…

• Important note about coronavirus – if you’re experiencing any symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, fatigue), use the phone and call your doctor. Do not go to the doctor’s office unless asked to do so. The remedies presented here may relieve symptoms, but they are not a substitute for professional medical attention and follow-up.

Fever, basic facts about this symptom

Definition of fever

Derived from the Latin root word “ febris “, fever is defined as an abnormal increase in body temperature without the patient exerting any physical effort. Temperature is measured with a thermometer when the temperature is over 100.4 °F (38 °C).

Thus, it is the physiological reaction of the body when it tries to resist possible changes or disorders that occur in the body.

Fever and medicine, short story

In 1868, the German physician Karl Wunderlich first introduced fever as a symptom and not as a disease as such. He established that the normal human body temperature is between 98.6°F (37°C) and 99.5°F (37.5°C).

Approximately 150 years later, modern medicine expanded part of his teaching, as it was observed and explained that body temperature is unique to each person. It would be a mistake to arbitrarily assume that it is within 98.6-99.5°F (37-37.5°C) for all.

2016 showed progress in resolving this breakthrough thanks to scientists working at the Boston Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts (USA). Using Apple’s “Feverprints” app, they conducted a study based on information collected by patients with fever.

Causes and forms of fever

An abnormal increase in body temperature is usually a reaction to an infection.

Indeed, after an infection, such as a urinary tract infection or mild otitis media, the body reacts and raises core body temperature. This has the effect of increasing the exposure and effectiveness of leukocytes.

Fever is often associated with pain, muscle aches and shaking or trembling, but there are a number of other symptoms, namely:

– broncho-pulmonary diseases

– gastroenteritis sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis).

In fact, if these symptoms and disorders are accompanied by neck stiffness, hypotension, confusion or delirium, difficulty breathing, etc. , it is very important to consult a doctor, especially if the fever continues for at least 72 hours.

In other cases, fever is the first observable sign of a potentially serious infectious disease.

The following may be noted as relevant:

– kidney infection or pyelonephritis

– encephalitis

– meningitis

– foreign bodies (grafts, allergens)

– changes in tissues or organs of the body (for example, in the event of a heart attack)

– sepsis

– reaction to certain medications

– the presence of cancer cells

– certain diseases (including lupus)

– and deep abscesses.

Although many cases of fever remain unresolved to this day, some systemic, neoplastic or hematological diseases may be additional possible triggers.

How to Reduce Fever Naturally

Like any other symptom or disease, every confirmed case of fever should not be ignored.

Although this rarely requires urgent treatment (depending on the patient’s age and medical history), it is important to take steps to reduce the temperature.

The first steps are to ask the patient to take off their clothes, lower the temperature in the patient’s room, remove the cover, and drink more water from the patient.

There are a number of medicines specifically designed to help reduce fever.

What about natural herbal solutions?

Here are a few key things to know:

– often used as an herbal tea for children, linden tree or linden – an antipyretic medicinal plant.

To make a cup of linden or linden herbal tea, measure out one teaspoon of dried flowers for about 7 fl. $12.99 oz (200 ml) water.

– As a tablet or gelatin capsule, white willow is a very effective antipyretic. It is extremely important to consult a specialist about the correct dosage to be used in case of fever.

• Elderflower is recommended to be taken as a softgel or as an herbal tea to help detoxify when you have a fever. To prepare a course, an adequate dosage must be determined by an expert on an individual basis.
• Finally, decoctions made from calendula are another of the traditional options that are often recommended to reduce fever.

Good to know about fever

If you have a fever caused by an infectious disease (flu), remember:

– Avoid heavy meals

– Rest and stay out of the cold to minimize effort

– Stay hydrated by drinking frequent fluids (broth, sweetened drinks, water or herbal tea).

Some diseases (Still’s disease, hyperthyroidism, Kawaschi’s disease, lymphoma, Crohn’s disease, leukemia, sarcoidosis) can cause episodes of occasional fever. If this happens repeatedly, it is recommended that you get checked out quickly by your local doctor.

Please note that the rapid increase in body temperature that occurs after surgery requires close monitoring. For adequate monitoring, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Quick answer: 104 7 Is it a high temperature for a dog?

Pyrexia in dogs. Fever, medically called hyperthermia, can be defined as an increase in body temperature in dogs that is above normal. With a normal range of 99.5 to 102.5 Fahrenheit, a body temperature of at least 103.5°F (39.7 °C) can be considered a fever.

A dog is said to have a fever when its temperature reaches 103 degrees or more. If so, it’s time to head to the vet. Temperatures of 106 degrees and above can damage your pet’s internal organs and lead to death, so never wait until it gets to this point.

If your dog has a temperature above 103 F, you should call your veterinarian. A fever above 106 F is an emergency that must be treated immediately. If your dog’s temperature is above 105 F, you can lower his body temperature by soaking his coat with cool water, especially around the ears and legs.

A normal temperature of 100° to 104° F (37.8° to 40° C) is beneficial for sick children. MYTH. Fever above 104°F (40°C) is dangerous. They can cause brain damage.

Severe fever ranges from 103 to 104 F. Dangerous temperatures are high fevers that range from 104 to 107 F or higher (very high fever is also called hyperpyrexia).

When describing fever in dogs, a temperature is usually defined as greater than 103.5–104 °F (39.7–40 °C), without indicating the duration of the fever.

Tylenol® is an opioid-free pain reliever sometimes given to dogs for pain and fever.

Temperatures below 103 can usually be controlled at home within 24 hours. But if the temperature rises or lasts longer than a day, you should contact your veterinarian. Temperatures of 106 degrees and above can cause damage to the dog’s internal organs and lead to death.

Signs of lethargy include lack of appetite, shortness of breath, and abrupt change in behavior. One of the simple causes of lethargy in dogs is warm weather. This causes the so-called “expiring lethargy”. When the temperature cools down or the dog cools down, his lethargy should subside.

Call your pediatrician if your child’s rectal temperature falls below 97.