Childhood fevers are common and are generally not a cause for concern. For this reason, you do not always need to seek out medical attention for your child's fever. A fever is simply a sign that your child's body is fighting off an infection or illness as it should. Most fevers can be managed well with over-the-counter medications.
Some fevers, however, can alert you to the fact that your child needs to see a doctor. If your child has a fever or one of the following symptoms, then you should call your pediatrician.
1. High Temperature for Young Age
The older your child gets, the less you have to worry about low-grade fevers. However, even a low fever can be cause for alarm in a very young child. Use the following guide to determine whether or not your young child needs to see a doctor right away:
As you can see, low temperatures can be worrisome in infants but are less worrisome in toddlers. Always consider your child's age when determining whether a fever needs medical attention.
2. Fever Lasting Several Hours
Fevers are a normal part of childhood. Long-lasting fevers, however, are often a sign that a child needs medical help to fight off an illness. If your child has a fever, even a low-grade fever, for more than 24 hours, then you may want to take them to the doctor. A high fever that does not diminish for 24 hours is even more worrisome.
If you're ever in doubt as to whether or not your child needs to see a doctor, call their pediatrician.
3. Presence of Vomiting or Diarrhea
A low or long-lasting fever should be taken more seriously if your child is vomiting or has diarrhea. This is because your child does not have the ability to replenish the fluids they're losing when they're sick, which can cause dehydration. If they have a fever on top of it all, they will dehydrate much quicker due to their elevated body temperature.
If your child is mildly sick and still able to keep fluids down, consult your doctor to see if they should be seen.
Dehydration is serious in young children. If your child isn't feeling well, watch out for signs of dehydration, including infrequent urination, dry mouth, lack of tears, sunken eyes, dry skin, irritability, and dizziness. Extreme dehydration may also cause sleepiness or a lack of response in your child.
Once you notice these symptoms, you should offer your child a special oral rehydration solution to replenish the fluids your child needs. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, then they may need medical attention as they might not be able to keep the fluids they need down.
5. Presence of Worrisome Symptoms
Some worrisome symptoms always require immediate medical attention, including seizures, listlessness, lack of consciousness, or slurred words. You should also be on the lookout for swelling in and around the face, including the eyes. Skin rashes are also a cause for concern.
When your children are sick and not acting like themselves, tune into your parental intuition. If you feel something is wrong, do not put off getting medical care.
Do not hesitate to seek medical attention for your child if they have a high fever or a fever accompanied by other worrisome symptoms. If your child needs to see a doctor, call
Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services
to make an appointment.
