Questions About Your Child’s Fever?

Children have fevers for many reasons. More often than not, they are treatable by over-the-counter medications and don’t require extensive medical intervention. And while self-help books may offer calming advice, parents can be fearful when their child has a fever, worrying that it may signal something more than a common viral infection.

The number one call that pediatricians get is fever.  When a child has a fever, and parents are worried, I prefer that they call me. A lot of times, a simple two- to five-minute talk with the parents can save them from having to go to the emergency room -- where they could spend most of their night and be saddled with high medical bills afterward.

Fever is the body’s reaction to an infection, which causes the body to reset the temperature to a higher level to help fight the infection. I counsel parents to not panic when there is a fever. Instead, be prepared by having some tools at hand.

It’s important that parents have a thermometer at home, one that beeps within a minute and can perform an under-arm temperature.  Also, don’t rely on feeling the head to determine what the fever is because you can’t.  In addition, before taking the temperature, be certain that the child isn’t dressed too warmly or over-covered. There should be no more than one layer of clothing.

The accepted definition of low-grade, middle-grade and high-grade fevers depends on the age of the patient. Also important are any accompanying symptoms, such as a runny nose, a harsh cough, nausea and vomiting, a sore throat, a rash or rapid breathing. While parenting books and medical Web sites offer some advice on what to do, nothing is more comforting to a worried parent than speaking directly with their child’s doctor. We help parents take the guesswork out of treating fevers at home.

I often suggest parents try Motrin or Tylenol to bring down fevers. Parents also need to keep an eye on whether or not the child is becoming dehydrated, particularly if there is diarrhea involved.  If the child is drinking okay, is wetting their diaper (or going to the bathroom if older) and their tongue is moist, parents don’t need to push liquids.  And if the child is vomiting, wait about one hour before trying clear liquids. For a child under 1 year, you can try products like Pedialyte; for those older, something such as a clear juice or flat ginger ale.

It’s always good for parents to then follow up with their pediatrician the next day to update them on how their child is doing.

Dr. Pearlman and Nada Haddad, MD, are pediatricians at the MetroHealth Lakewood Health Center, 14701 Detroit Ave., Suite 400. Call 216-227-1330 for appointments. Same-day sick appointments are available.

MetroHealth is one of the largest providers of health care to infants, children and adolescents in Northeast Ohio. More than 75 faculty members supervise residents, medical students and other health professionals in serving more than 5,000 inpatient admissions and 60,000 outpatient visits annually.