A fever is usually caused by infections from viruses (such as a cold or the flu) or bacteria (such as strep throat or some ear infections). The fever itself is not the disease, only a sign that the body’s defenses are trying to fight an infection.
MYTH: My child feels warm, so she has a fever.
FACT: Children can feel warm for a many reasons such as playing hard,
crying, getting out of a warm bed or being outside on a hot day. They are
“giving off heat”. Their skin temperature should return to normal in 10 to 20
minutes. Once these causes are excluded, about 80% of children who feel warm
and act sick actually have a fever. If you want to be sure, take their
temperature. The following are the cutoffs for fever using different types of
thermometers:
Rectal, ear or temporal artery thermometers: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
Oral or pacifier thermometers: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher
MYTH: All fevers are bad for children.
FACT: Fevers turn on the body's immune system and help the body fight infection. Fevers are one of the body's protective mechanisms. Normal fevers between 100° and 104° F (37.8° - 40° C) are actually good for sick children.
MYTH: Fevers above 104° F (40° C) are dangerous and can cause brain damage.
MYTH: Anyone can have a febrile seizure (seizure triggered by fever).
FACT: Only 4% of children can have a febrile seizure.
MYTH: Febrile seizures are harmful.
FACT: Febrile seizures are scary to watch, but they usually stop within 5 minutes. They cause no permanent harm. Children who have had febrile seizures do not have a greater risk for developmental delays, learning disabilities, or seizures without fever.
MYTH: All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine.
FACT: Fevers only need to be treated if they cause discomfort. Usually fevers don't cause any discomfort until they go above 102° or 103° F (39° or 39.5° C).
MYTH: Without treatment, fevers will keep going higher.
FACT: Wrong. Because the brain has a thermostat, fevers from infection usually don't go above 103° or 104° F (39.5°- 40° C). They rarely go to 105° or 106° F (40.6° or 41.1° C). While the latter are "high" fevers, they are harmless ones.
MYTH: With treatment, fevers should come down to normal.
FACT: With treatment, fevers usually come down 2° or 3° F (1° or 1.5° C).
MYTH: If the fever doesn't come down (if you can't "break the fever"), the cause is serious.
FACT: Fevers that don't respond to fever medicine can be caused by viruses or bacteria. It doesn't relate to the seriousness of the infection.
MYTH: Once the fever comes down with medicines, it should stay down.
FACT: The fever will normally last for 2 or 3 days with most viral infections. Therefore, when the fever medicine wears off, the fever will return and need to be treated again. The fever will go away and not return once your child’s body overpowers the virus (usually by the fourth day).
MYTH: If the fever is high, the cause is serious.
FACT: If the fever is high, the
cause may or may not be serious. If your child looks very sick, the cause is
more likely to be serious.
SUMMARY: Remember that fever is fighting off your child's infection. Fever is one of the good guys.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.
Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton
D. Schmitt, M.D.
Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer
and Healthpoint Medical Network.
Last Review Date: 7/5/2011
Last Revised: 4/17/2010 3:43:02 PM
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Version Year: 2012
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D