When to Worry About a Kid’s Fever

For those who have children, it is important to know when to worry about a kid's fever . Untreated fevers, if severe or accompanied by other symptoms, can lead to grave illness or even death without proper medical help.

Take Infant fever concerns seriously

If an infant has a fever and any concern is present, a guardian should seek medical advice. It is important to note whether or not the baby's soft spot is bulging, if the baby is vomiting or if signs of dehydration are present. Signs of dehydration could include a sunken-in soft spot even when lying down or a baby who is not wetting any diapers and not producing tears while crying. Medical attention should be sought out if the infant has a rash that developed around the same time as the fever, the infant appears to seize or the infant has pre-existing health conditions.

The bottom line for infant fever care

Call a physician immediately if any of the following situations exist:

• An infant less than 3 months old has a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• An infant between 3 and 6 months has a fever of 101 F or higher
• A child less than 2 years old has a fever of 103 F or higher or has had a fever for more than 24 hours

In addition, call if there are any serious concerns and clarification would provide peace of mind.

Kids' fevers can be serious too

Many children experience low-grade fevers a few times a year that normally are not cause for concern, but there are some exceptions. If a child has any sort of rash or bruise-like discoloration accompanied by a fever, medical advice should be sought out immediately. If the child is fatigued, sluggish, irritable or has no appetite, it is a good idea to call as most children bounce back from routine illness quickly. If a child is dehydrated, experiences any stiffness in the body, has difficulty moving, has trouble breathing or has pre-existing health conditions, seek out care.

When should a call for kids' fever concerns absolutely be made?

Call a physician immediately if any of the following situations exist:

• A child of any age has a fever of 102 F or higher
• A child older than 2 years old has had a fever for more than 48 hours
• If parental instinct indicates there is a serious problem

What does a fever indicate?

In some cases, a fever can be a symptom of something as simple as a strep throat or a cold or flu, but occasionally a kid's fever can indicate a more serious health condition. A rise in temperature means the body is fighting an infection. Fevers of less than 100 F are usually not worrisome, but if it rises above that, it could be cause for concern. Chickenpox, meningitis, kidney infection, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, food poisoning and pneumonia are only a few of the more concerning illnesses that are associated with fevers, especially for young children.

Things to remember

It is important to keep children away from other people if they have a fever until a diagnosis is made as they could have a contagious disease. A quick call or visit with our office can provide you with valuable information regarding addressing a kid's fever and could prevent your child from becoming sicker.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with us, call (949) 661-2455. Our office is located in San Clemente. Call Prem Pediatrics today.