A child’s fever can be concerning, but it can help fight infections. When to contact a doctor depends on the child’s age, fever height, and accompanying symptoms. Behavioral changes should also be observed. Trust your gut feeling and contact a doctor if worried.
A child’s fever can certainly make any parent worry. It’s frightening when a child has a very high fever or when they appear flushed and unhappy. It’s important to remember that a fever actually helps your child fight off infections, and a low-grade fever isn’t always a good reason to go to the doctor. There are many times when a child’s fever indicates contacting the GP or pediatrician, and these depend on the child’s age, the height of the fever and other symptoms that may indicate a problem.
For children, the fever recommendation depends on the age expressed in months. A baby younger than three months needs medical attention if his or her rectal temperature is 100.4 F (38 C). For a baby older than three months, you should call the doctor if the fever is 102 F (39.44) or higher. You should also look out for the following signs that may accompany a fever. If a child is completely listless, very sleepy, or unresponsive, contact your doctor right away. If excessive crying or irritability accompanies a child’s fever, then you should also contact your doctor immediately, even if the fever is below the temperatures listed above. You should also see a doctor right away if the rectal temperature is below 97 F (36.11 C) and the baby is less than three months old.
For children under two, you should contact your doctor if your child’s fever lasts for more than a day. In children over two years old, call the doctor if the fever hasn’t gone away within two to three days. Even older children should be evaluated by their behavior. For any child over the age of two, if the fever is over 102 F (39.44 C) and your child is showing behavioral changes, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your pediatrician first. Observe the following behavioral changes:
Listlessness
Extreme irritability
Repeated vomiting
Severe headache
He doesn’t answer
It seems in pain
He complains of stomach pain
Even when a child’s fever is below 102 F, if a child is not retaining fluids due to vomiting, or is unresponsive or complains of pain, a doctor should be contacted. The doctor can also give you guidance if your child has any special health conditions. A child prone to ear infections could mean your child’s fever is always an indication to call the doctor, usually during office hours. More serious health conditions may prompt early contact with a doctor, even after hours. Follow your doctor’s recommendations on this issue.
Parenting can also be about gut feeling when it comes to children. Sometimes you may “feel” that something is wrong, even when a child’s fever is below the numbers listed above. If you have a feeling something is wrong and you are worried about your child, most pediatricians would encourage you to call. Parents may pick up on things they can’t quite describe, and the reassurance that all is well is often worth a visit to a doctor.
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