How to Deal with Child's Fever

Your initial inclination may be to give your child medication for a fever, but it's best to try a few other methods first.

A child has a fever when his body temperature is above normal, which is 98.6F. With children, several things such as a virus, bacteria and hyperthermia can cause a raise in body temperature. In order to treat a child’s fever, its important to analyze the cause and then work towards getting rid of it. Here’s a mini guide on what to do when your child has a fever.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer
• Cool Water
• Wash Cloth
• Liquid Acetaminophen

Instructions

1. Verify that your child has a temperature. The usual method of checking for a child’s temperature is to feel around the neck or forehead (with one’s hand) for excessive heat. However, this can be misleading at times, especially if your child has been running around outside and just needs a momentary break. Opt to use a thermometer to verify if your child has a temperature. This is the most effective way to deal with a fever. Remember, a fever is body temperature above normal (98.6F).

2. Pinpoint the origin of the fever. In order to effectively deal with your child’s fever, try to pinpoint the cause. Has he been sluggish lately and coughing? Does he have a rash? Did he just come inside after running around all day in extreme heat? These questions are ones you need to ask yourself in order to properly treat your child’s fever.

3. Treat your child’s fever according to its origin. Now that you know why your child has a fever it’s important to deal with it accordingly. Below is a list of common conditions that cause body temperatures to rise in children and what to do:VIRUSESRed eyes and clear discharges from the nose are usually symptoms of fevers that arise from viruses. Lower your child’s temperature by laying him in bed with thin (or little) clothing, hydrating him with lukewarm water and wiping him down with a semi-cool washcloth. If this process does not work, give your child liquid acetaminophen and repeat as necessary. Be sure that it’s the kind that is for children and you give the appropriate dosage.HYPOTHERMIAHyporthermia occurs when a child’s body overheats from too much sun. A sign that he is suffering from this condition is lethargy, red skin and excessive panting. Bring your child inside and into a cool place. Sit him down to rest. Hydrate him with water (lukewarm) until his body temperature lowers. INFECTIONSMiddle-ear infections are notorious for causing fevers in children. And, like all infections, you must treat it in order to truly rid a child of the associated fever. You will know that your child is suffering from an infection if he has cloudy or colored discharges from different parts of his body (eyes/ears/nose). You can also tell he has an infection if he is lethargic and scratching or pulling on one area of the body. In this case, you can momentarily handle the fever with liquid acetaminophen, but it is vital to call your doctor for an appointment. Your doctor will need to prescribe antibiotics for your child that will fight the infection.

4. Retake your child’s temperature and watch for flare-ups. In certain cases, such as hypothermia, as soon as your child’s temperature lowers, the fever will not return. However, with viruses and infections, this is not necessarily true. So, if your child has had a fever, watch him carefully over the next 72 hours and retake his temperature as necessary to be sure he is truly fever-free.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child has a rash with is fever, he may have the Measles or Chickenpox, which requires immediate medical attention and is infectious.

• If your child's fever won't go away or gets over a 102F, its time to take him to a doctor for professional medical treatment.