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Fever - When to Call Your Health Care Provider
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Fever is the body's natural
way of fighting infection. It is a sign of
an underlying illness not a disease itself.
Activity level, appearance and attitude of
the sick child should be more of a concern
and a better indicator of how ill a child
is. A child with a temp of 101 degrees and
lethargic is sicker than one who has a fever
of
103 and is running around playing.
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Normal
temperatures are:
INFANT ~ 98.2 to 100.4
FEVER in a child of any age = 100.4 rectally
or 99.8 by mouth
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CALL if your
child with a fever:
~ is less than 3 months old
~ is crying inconsolably
~ is difficult to awaken
~ is confused, delirious
~ has a seizure
~ has a stiff neck
~ has pruple spots on the skin
~ breathing is rapid and shallow
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ALSO CALL:
~ If a fever of 104 or higher does not come
down after 4 hours of home treatment
~ If a child 3 months to 3 years has a fever
of 103 for 24 hours
~ If a fever of 100-103 degrees lasts more
than 3 days
What You Can Do At Home:
~ Have a working thermometer at home and
know how to use it
~ Have Tylenol on hand and check to make
sure that it is not outdated
~ Know the correct dosage of Tylenol for
your child
~ Provide comfort, rest sure that it is not outdated
~ Know the correct dosage of Tylenol for
your child
~ Provide comfort, rest and quiet activities
for your child (like watch a video)
~ If your child is over 3, is eating
well/playing, leave the fever alone but
dress him lightly and encourage extra fluids
like popsicles and sucking on ice chips.
~ If the fever is over 102 degrees and your
older child is uncomfortable, give Tylenol,
DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN to children under age
20!
~ Sponge with lukewarm water for high fever,
104. DO NOT USE COLD WATER
or RUBBING ALCOHOL.
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