Treating High Fever in Infants and Toddlers

A High Temperature Doesn't Always Require the Doctor or an ER Visit

Oct 2, 2009

When a baby or an infant has a high fever, he can be cranky and his parents can be very concerned. Knowing when to really worry about fever and illness is important.

When a baby or an infant has a high temperature fever it's natural for the parents to worry--and most of them worry about the flu, but there are all kinds of other reasons for a child to have a fever. most of those reasons aren't serious. Parents are always interested in the welfare of their children and whether those children are healthy and happy. They don't want their babies to get sick, but sometimes it can't be helped. There are always colds, the flu, and other "bugs" going around.

When to Seek Medical Help for an Infant or Toddler With a Fever

If a parent is honestly unsure whether her child is in danger from a high fever, she should get that child checked out by a medical professional right away. It's much better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to children. It's not necessary to be an alarmist, but it's definitely important to be careful so as not to put young children at risk from the flu or other illnesses.

Because babies and toddlers can't verbalize well yet, they might not really be able to convey to their parents just how badly they're feeling. It can be somewhat of a guessing game, especially for new parents dealing with their first child. That doesn't mean a parent should run to the emergency room all the time, though, so it's important that parents exercise some thought and common sense where fevers are concerned.

There are a lot of suggested home remedies for a fever, many of which can be found online at various medical and other Web sites. When a parent realizes her child is running a high fever, no matter whether it's the flu causing it or something else, what she should do depends on what she means by a "high" fever. Most medical professionals will recommend the use of a washcloth with cool (not cold) water to bathe the child gently. If this doesn't help, parents can run a bath, again with cool water, and put the child in it for a few minutes.

Never use cold water. It can be too much of a shock for a child's system when they have a fever. Unfortunately, a lot of parents are just interested in getting their child's fever down, so they don't think about the fact they could be doing more harm than good by using colder water.

Of course, there are over-the-counter medications for reducing a child's fever. Be sure to read the directions carefully and never give a child more than the dosage recommended for his age. Giving too much medication in an effort to speed fever reduction is never a good choice, especially for children who are very young.

Low grade fevers are usually nothing to worry about, since they're common with colds and flu. Children who're teething can also run a mild fever, and fevers in children can be researched online in order to get more information about whether it's a serious problem in a specific child's case, or whether it's something that will likely resolve itself.

Keep a close eye on any child who has a fever, and make sure it doesn't start to creep up too high. If none of the home remedies work, the child's fever persists, or the fever is very high (greater than 101 degrees), it's time to see the doctor. Parents facing these circumstances can also take their infant or toddler to the hospital, or just dial 911. It's never good to take chances with a child with a very high fever. It can cause seizures, brain damage, and even death.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Always consult a physician before attempting home remedies for fevers in children.

The copyright of the article Treating High Fever in Infants and Toddlers in Infant & Toddler Health is owned by Michielle Beck. Permission to republish Treating High Fever in Infants and Toddlers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.