Baby Went to the Doctor for the Flu and Now Has a Fever of 103. Should I Take Him to the Er?

When your baby or infant has a fever

Fever - infant; Fever - baby

The showtime fever a infant or infant has is ofttimes scary for parents. Most fevers are harmless and are caused past balmy infections. Overdressing a kid may even cause a rise in temperature.

Regardless, y'all should written report any fever in a newborn that is higher than 100.four°F (38°C) (taken rectally) to the child's health care provider.

What to Expect at Abode

Fever is an important function of the body's defense force against infection. Many older infants develop loftier fevers with even minor illnesses.

Delirious seizures occur in some children and can be scary to parents. Nonetheless, most febrile seizures are over chop-chop. These seizures practice not hateful your child has epilepsy, and exercise not cause whatsoever lasting harm.

Eating and Drinking

Your child should drink plenty of fluids.

• Do Non requite your infant any fruit juice.
• Babies should drink breast milk or formula.
• If they are vomiting, and then an electrolyte drinkable such every bit Pedialyte is recommended.

Children tin eat foods when they have a fever. Only DO NOT force them to eat.

Children who are ill often tolerate bland foods better. A bland diet includes foods that are soft, non very spicy, and low in fiber. You may try:

• Breads, crackers, and pastas made with refined white flour.
• Refined hot cereals, such as oatmeal or foam of wheat.

Treating Your Child's Fever

Exercise NOT bundle up a child with blankets or extra clothes, even if the child has the chills. This may keep the fever from coming downwards, or make information technology go higher.

• Try i layer of lightweight habiliment, and one lightweight blanket for sleep.
• The room should be comfy, non too hot or too cool. If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help lower fever in children. Your child's physician may tell you to use both types of medicine.

• In children under iii months of age, call your child's provider commencement before giving them medicines.
• Know how much your kid weighs. And then always check the instructions on the bundle.
• Take acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours.
• Take ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. DO NOT apply ibuprofen in children younger than half-dozen months quondam.
• DO NOT give aspirin to children unless your kid's provider tells y'all it is OK.

A fever does not need to come up all the way downwardly to normal. Almost children will feel meliorate when their temperature drops by even ane degree.

A lukewarm bathroom or sponge bath may aid cool a fever.

• Lukewarm baths piece of work better if the child also gets medicine. Otherwise, the temperature might bounce right back upwardly.
• Exercise Non use cold baths, ice, or alcohol rubs. These often make the situation worse by causing shivering.

When to Call the Doctor

Talk to your child's provider or become to the emergency room when:

• Your child does non act alarm or more comfy when their fever goes downwardly
• Fever symptoms come dorsum after they had gone away
• The child does non brand tears when crying
• Your child does not have wet diapers or has not urinated in the past 8 hours

Likewise, talk to your child's provider or become to the emergency room if your kid:

• Is younger than historic period 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.iv°F (38°C) or college.
• Is 3 to 12 months one-time and has a fever of 102.ii°F (39°C) or higher.
• Is under historic period 2 and has a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours.
• Has a fever over 105°F (40.v°C), unless the fever comes down readily with treatment and the child is comfortable.
• Has had fevers come and get for upwards to a week or more, fifty-fifty if they are not very high.
• Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore pharynx, earache, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or a cough.
• Has a serious medical affliction, such every bit a eye problem, sickle prison cell anemia, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis.
• Recently had an immunization.

Call 9-1-1 if your child has a fever and:

• Is crying and cannot be calmed downwardly
• Cannot exist awakened easily or at all
• Seems confused
• Cannot walk
• Has difficulty breathing, even later their nose is cleared
• Has blue lips, tongue, or nails
• Has a very bad headache
• Has a stiff cervix
• Refuses to move an arm or leg
• Has a seizure
• Has a new rash or bruises appear

References

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM. Fever without a focus. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 96.

Mick NW. Pediatric fever. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Loma Grand, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practise. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 166.

Version Info

Terminal reviewed on: 10/2/2019

Reviewed past: Neil K. Kaneshiro, Md, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Academy of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Too reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Managing director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Manager, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial squad.

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Source: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/when-your-baby-or-infant-has-a-fever

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