How do I take a temperature in my child?

< 6 months use a rectal digital thermometer

> 6 months use an ear thermometer

A fever is a temperature > 38 degrees C

Children who are < 3 months with a fever need to be seen URGENTLY BY A DOCTOR Children who are not interacting or behaving normally, having breathing difficulties, not drinking or are constantly vomiting, NEED TO BE SEEN URGENTLY BY A DOCTOR.

 

Fever : a sign of infection

Healthy children can get up to 10 minor infections a year. Infections are more likely in the winter months, in children that go to daycare, in children with school-aged siblings or with younger children.

Washing your child’s hands frequently and not letting your child touch their nose or mouth can help prevent your child from getting infections.

Proper sleep and nutrition can boost a child’s immune system.

There is no vitamin or supplement that can prevent a child from getting infections. Infections:

There are generally 2 types of infections, viral and bacterial Viral Viral infections (colds and flu) are by far the most common and most get better with time (3-5 days), and do NOT need antibiotics.

 

Viral

Viral infections can cause fever, cough or runny nose or congestion, loss of appetite and energy.

Mucous is NOT a sign that your child needs an antibiotic.

The fever from a viral infection can come and go throughout the day.

In between fevers, as long as your child is playing, drinking, voiding and not having breathing problems, vomiting or rash, your child does NOT need to go to the hospital.

You can see your child’s doctor to confirm that your child has a viral infection.

 

Bacterial

Bacterial infections (ear infections, tonsillitis, pneumonia, urine infections, skin infections and more serious…meningitis) need antibiotics. If your child has ear pain, sore throat, pain or foul-smelling urine, they need to be seen by a doctor to assess whether they need an antibiotic.

Ear infections are not caused by water or air going into the ear canal. Ear infections are caused by bacteria going into the middle ear from the throat.

Most throat infections are viral infections and do NOT need antibiotics.

Your doctor will do a throat swab to rule out strep throat which needs an antibiotic.

 

What medication do I give my > 3-month-old child who has a fever?

Acetaminophen/Tempra/Tylenol

Dose 15mg/kg every 4 hours as needed.

Do not give more than 6 doses in 24 hours Example: an 8 kg child would receive 120 mg of acetaminophen

• Give 1.5 ml of 80 mg/ml infant drops OR
• Give 3.75 ml of 160 mg/5 ml of children’s liquid

 

Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin

For children over 6 months

Dose 10mg/kg every 8 hours as needed
Example: an 8 kg child would receive 80 mg of ibuprofen• Give 2 ml of 200mg/ml infant drops OR
• Give 4 ml of 100mg/5 ml of children’s liquidYou can alternatively give acetaminophen and ibuprofen if your child’s fever is not responding

 

Points

The most important factor in assessing a child with a fever is your child’s behavior.

Children with breathing problems, excessive vomiting, not voiding, lethargy or irritability or new rash need to be seen urgently by a doctor.

Some illnesses have 2 phases, the initial viral phase followed by the secondary bacterial phase.

If fever persists longer than 3-5 days or seems to go and then comes back after a few days, you should have your child seen by a doctor.

Children who are sick with an infection will not feel like eating normally. It is more important to give your child rest and fluids.

Your child’s appetite will return when they feel better.

Teething does NOT cause fever.