This information is provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. For the complete first aid guide, click here.
Fever in children is usually caused by infection. It also can be caused by chemicals, poisons, medicines, an environment that is too hot, or an extreme level of over-activity. Take your child’s temperature to see if they has a fever. Most pediatricians consider any thermometer reading above 100.4˚f (38˚c) a fever. However, the way your child looks and acts are more important than how high his temperature is.
Call the pediatrician right away if your child has a fever and
- Appears very ill, is unusually drowsy, or is very fussy
- Has other symptoms such as a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, an unexplained rash, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea
- Has a condition causing immune suppression (such as sickle cell disease, cancer, or the taking of steroids)
- Has had a seizure before
- Is younger than 2 months and has a temperature of 100.4˚f (38˚c) or higher
- Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car
Make your child more comfortable
Dress them in light clothing, give them cool liquids to drink, and keep them calm. The pediatrician may recommend fever medicines. Do not use aspirin to treat a child’s fever. Aspirin has been linked with Reye syndrome, a serious disease that affects the liver and brain.
Important note: The information contained here should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Source First Aid (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics)