How to Treat a Child's Low Grade Fever

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By Monica Curran
eHow Contributing Writer

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(18 Ratings)

When your toddler comes down with a fever, you always wonder what you should do in order to bring the fever down or make it go away. Seeing your toddler not feeling well makes Mommy go into overdrive and find ways to make her baby better. Here are some ways in which your toddler' s low grade fever can be reduced.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Thermometer
Warm bath
Cool wash cloth
Over-the-counter medications
Prescription medications
Homeopathic remedies

Step 1

Use a thermometer. When you suspect your toddler has a fever, it may in fact be a low grade fever. Per the instructions found in mostly any thermometer packaging, it states that a temperature under 104 is not a fever. This would have one believe that a toddler is running a low grade fever and still needs attention for their condition. When using a thermometer, depending on what type of thermometer being used, each ear will have a different reading. One ear could read 103.2 and the other 102.1. This temperature, even though it is over 98.6, is still just a low grade fever. When your toddler' s low grade fever reaches 104.00, that is when there should be cause for concern.
Step 2

Use a cool compress and/or wash cloth. When you see your toddler is not feeling well and are warm, or hot, to the touch, it is time to place a cold compress on their head and/or use a warm wash cloth. Using a cold, not cool, compress will shock a baby or toddler' s warm or hot bodies. Using a wash cloth is good because you control the temperature being placed on your toddler' s body. Placing the warm wash cloth on the forehead, neck, chest, arms and legs will reduce your toddler' s temperature in a big way. Your toddler may not like having a warm or cool wash clothe on their forehead, but it is one way to cool down their body fast.
Step 3

Place your toddler in a warm bathe. Another way to cool down your toddler' s low grade fever is by sitting your toddler in a warm or cool bath. This will, indeed, lower their temperature and get their mind off their discomfort. Finding ways, other than going to the doctor, is what Mommy and Daddy does best. It is not always necessary for your toddler with a low grade fever to visit their pediatrician. If you feel the need to call your pediatrician, by all means, do that just to ease your mind or fears.
Step 4

Give your toddler fever medication. With all the over-the-counter children's medication scares these days, it is up to you to use your intuition. Give your toddler a name brand or off brand over-the-counter medication. If you feel the need, by all means call your pediatrician and they will have you come in, then give you a prescription medication. Sometimes, it is not necessary to have your toddler take a prescription medication, that is when homeopathic remedies will work without chemicals being added to their precious, little bodies. Homeopathic remedies are effective and do not harm your toddler' s internal organs, such as their liver. When a toddler takes, in excess, over-the-counter, medications which contain acetaminophen, those medications may cause liver damage. Any drug taken in excess is harmful, so is it up to you to know when to discontinue the use of that particular drug for your toddler.

Comments

ktorres2000 said

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on 10/6/2009 what? 104 or 100.4. From the many times I have been to the hospital with 1 of my 5 children, 104.00 F is seizure stage. 100.4 is considered a fever and should not be taken lightly, specially with small children who may quickly develop a higher fever without warning since they can't really let you know when they are hurting or feel uncomfortable. If you call any hospital, a 101.0 fever on a child is more than high enough to come in. I would never recommend letting your child's fever getting anywhere near 104.0 F. It is extremely dangerous!