Fever Information
Illness happens at the most inconvenient time and whether it's you or your little one, you can often feel helpless and heartbroken. Having a fever can really take the energy out of you and cause some concerning symptoms. Here are some things to consider when you or your child have a fever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at tiffany@virtuepls.com or call 614.655.4325 (HEAL) if you cannot find an answer to your question.
- A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. It's one part of an overall response from the body's immune system. A fever is usually caused by an infection.
- While it may be uncomfortable, it usually isn't a cause for concern and is in fact a good sign that your body is responding as it should be.
- For infants, however, even a low fever may mean there's a serious infection.
- Fevers generally go away within a few days.
- There are a number of things that can be done at home to lower a fever if needed however you don't necessarily need to treat a fever if it's not causing discomfort.
- The biggest concern is to stay on top of hydration by replacing fluids and electrolytes.
- The average temperature has traditionally been defined as 98.6 F (37 C). A temperature taken that's 100.4° F (38° C) or greater is generally considered to be a fever.
- Oral and rectal thermometers generally provide the most accurate measurement of core body temperature. Ear or forehead thermometers, although convenient, provide less accurate temperature measurements.
- For infants less than 2 months of age it is better to measure their temperature rectally when possible.
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Chills and shivering
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Dehydration
- General weakness
- When fevers persist over 102°F one hour after doses of appropriate fever reducers (see dosing below). Try treating the fever first and allowing 30-60 minutes for the fever reducer to work.
- If your child is breathing fast, in distress such as high pitched crying, nasal flaring, or having a lot of pain and these symptoms do not reduce with fever reducers.
- If your child is lethargic, won't awaken easily, or is refusing to drink liquids, and this does not correct with fever reducers.
- If your child has a fever and you are worried about dehydration because your child has not been taking fluids or having adequate urine output (3 urinations in a 24-hour period).
- Fevers associated with rashes that are purple in nature or are associated with other significant symptoms listed above, should go to the ER.
- When in doubt, call. Any time you are worried and want NP Tiffany to check out you or your child, you should call.
- All calls and messages will be triaged to determine the urgency of the visit and determine if there are any at home interventions that can be considered first. We will ask some questions and walk you through options to manage you or your child's illness.
- Fevers at the beginning of an illness typically represent your body's innate and intelligent response to fight infection. Fevers that START or worsen more than 3-4 days into illness, raise more of a concern and need to be evaluated in person; call to schedule a visit ASAP·
- Younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
- Between 3 and 6 months old and has a rectal temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) or has a lower temperature but seems unusually irritable, sluggish or uncomfortable.
- Between 7 and 24 months old and has a rectal temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other symptoms. If your child also has other signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough or diarrhea, you can call sooner.
- Fevers that last 4 days or longer without a known reason in children 2 years of age and older. Infants 2- 6 months should be seen for any fever over 100.4°F that lasts longer than 2 days, and in children 6 month - 2 years, any fever lasting longer than 3-4 days (over 100.4°F) warrants an exam.
- Fevers accompanied with ear pain, sinus pressure, heavy coughing, and/or poor appetite that last longer than 1-2 days.
- Fevers associated with joint pain that doesn’t resolve with fever reducers.
- Fevers accompanied by rashes should be seen in the office unless they meet the criteria for ER (detailed above).
- One of the benefits of our practice is the direct access to your provider. NP Tiffany will be taking emergency calls from home with her family, and may or may not be asleep. Every effort is made to return calls after hours or on the weekend within 2 hours of the initial call.
- Please call your provider instead of direct messaging. While the aim is to respond as soon as possible, direct messages are typically answered within 24 hours whereas calls will warrant a more urgent response.
- If you are worried about fever in you or your child, before you call the provider, give yourself or your child a dose of fever reducer (in children over 2 months old) to see if they are more comfortable, wait 30-60 minutes after administering the medication before calling a provider or going to the ER.
- If your you or your child's symptoms are different from those outlined above and you are unsure if you should go to the ER, call to discuss with a provider.
- If you feel you or your child is safe to wait until morning, they are also safe to wait to talk to a provider.
- If you or your child has a fever and you are worried or concerned enough to consider calling a provider, or seeking ER care, first give them a dose of fever reducer to see if you or your child can be made more comfortable.
- Remember, fever is typically a healthy way of fighting infections and we want to give the body an opportunity to do what it is deigned to do.
- It is to be expected that you or your child will feel some fatigue, mood changes, and little to no appetite during a fever. As long as you or your child are able to continue drinking fluids well and breathing comfortably, you do not necessarily need to administer a fever reducer for all elevated temperatures.
- Provider dosing of fever reducers is done by weight, not age in children. Below are general guidelines for children 20 pounds and smaller.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) use is discouraged in children over 6 months of age who are eligible for ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil).
- Adults and children over 20 pounds may follow the instructions given on fever reducer packaging.
- Liquid acetaminophen (Infants’ or Children’s) is provided as 160mg/5ml and is dosed every 4 hours.
- Babies 2-6 months old:
- 10 pounds 80mg or 2.5ml every 4 hours;
- 15 pounds 120mg or 3.5ml every 4 hours;
- 20 pounds 160mg or 5ml every 4 hours.
- Babies 2-6 months old:
- Liquid ibuprofen comes in two concentrations, it is important to read the bottle. Infants’ 50mg/1.25ml, or Children’s 100mg/5ml. (Notice these are very different concentrations.) Ibuprofen is dosed every 6 hours.
- Babies/Children Over 6 months:
- 10 pounds 50mg or 1.25ml Infants’/ 2.5ml of Children’s;
- 15 pounds 75mg or 2ml Infants’/ 3.5ml of Children’s;
- 20 pounds 100mg or 2.5ml Infants’/ 5ml of Children’s.
- Babies/Children Over 6 months:
- While this practice may be common in adults and older children, we do not recommend this practice for younger children.
- Each medicine should be dosed according to the timing of that medication. For example, for ibuprofen it should be given every 6 hours, for acetaminophen every 4 hours.
- There may be some disadvantage in fever control to give acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead of the superior fever reducer, ibuprofen.
- If you are concerned that one fever reducer may not be enough for you or your child, please call to discuss your concerns and determine if there is a specific reason to consider this approach. Typically we want our families to use ibuprofen alone over 6 months of age, and acetaminophen alone under 6 months.
- The best way to stay hydrated is by drinking a mix of water, bone broth, Kinderlyte, and coconut water to replenish electrolytes.
- Eat high-value, easy-to-digest foods like green smoothies and homemade bone broth.
- Stress less and get plenty of extra rest. This is not the time to catch up with chores or work. You want to divert all your body’s energy to healing which is why extra stress can be detrimental. This is one time where reading or watching your favorite show is a good idea!
- Support yourself nutritionally by consuming immune boosting foods that contain Vitamin C, Elderberry, and Probiotics. Or teas like Ginger, Green Tea, or Echinacea. You may find that you are not hungry when you have a fever. Your body does not like wasting energy on digestion when you are sick.
- Boost your Vitamin D levels with at least 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure a day. If you are going to be out in the sun longer than 15 minutes, please use sunscreen.
- If you are up for it and your fever has subsided, try some gentle movement like walking outdoors or yoga. Exercise makes you feel healthier and more energetic. There are several theories on how exercise supports your immune system. Some consideration for why exercise is beneficial are as follows: Physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness. Another thought is that exercise causes change in antibodies and white blood cells (WBC). WBCs are the body's immune system cells that fight disease. These antibodies or WBCs circulate more rapidly, so they could detect illnesses earlier than they might have before. Yet another consideration is that the brief rise in body temperature during and right after exercise may prevent bacteria from growing. This temperature rise may help the body fight infection better. (This is similar to what happens when you have a fever.) Lastly, exercise slows down the release of stress hormones. Some stress increases the chance of illness. Lower stress hormones may protect against illness.
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