How to reduce high fever in child

What to Do When Your Kid Has a Fever

Written by R. Morgan Griffin

What You Should Do

Acetaminophen can lower your child's temperature. If they're older than 2, the dose will be listed on the label. If they're younger, ask your doctor how much to give them.

Another option is ibuprofen if your child is at least 6 months old.

There's a lot you can do to make them feel better. Put a cool compress on their head and keep their room at a moderate temperature -- not too hot and not too cold. Dress them in one layer of light clothing and offer a light blanket. You can also cool them off with a lukewarm sponge bath.

And don't forget -- make sure they drink a lot of fluids.

What You Shouldn't Do

Never give your child aspirin. It can cause a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Avoid combination cold and flu remedies in young kids. They shouldn't be used in children under age 4. In older kids, it’s unclear how well they work.

If you decide to use a cold medicine, check with your pediatrician to be sure your child is old enough for the type of medicine you’re considering. According to the FDA, no child under the age of 2 should be given any kind of cough or cold product that contains a decongestant or antihistamine, and caution should be used even in children who are older than 2. In addition, no child under 4 years of age should be given a product that combines cough and cold medicines. The possible side-effects can be serious and even life-threatening.

If the doctor says it’s OK to use a cough or cold medicine, then read the label before you buy and pick the one that most closely matches your child’s symptoms. Don't switch back and forth between different medications without your pediatrician's OK.

Don't use an icy cold bath or rub your child's skin with alcohol. Either can actually drive a fever up.

And even if your child has the chills, don't bundle them up with thick blankets or clothes.

When Should You Call the Doctor?

Usually, you don't need to take your sick child to the doctor. But sometimes fever can be a serious warning sign. Call your pediatrician if your child:

Has a temperature of 104 F or higher
Is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 F or higher
Has a fever that lasts for more than 72 hours (or more than 24 hours if your child is under age 2)
Has a fever along with other symptoms such as a stiff neck, extremely sore throat, ear pain, rash, or severe headache
Has a seizure
Seems very sick, upset, or unresponsive

Tips to Take Your Child's Temperature

How often do you need to check? That depends on the situation. Ask your pediatrician. Usually, you don't need to take your child's temperature obsessively or wake them up if they're sleeping peacefully. But you should do it if their energy seems low or if your child has a history of seizures with fever.

Which thermometer is best for kids? Digital ones are best. They can be used in their mouth, rectally, or under the arm.

For young children, a rectal temperature is most accurate. If your kids are age 4 to 5 or older, you can probably get a good reading with a thermometer in the mouth. Under the arm is less reliable but it's easier to do. Remember to add a degree to an underarm reading to get a more accurate number.

Children's Health Guide

The Basics
Childhood Symptoms
Common Problems
Chronic Conditions

Home Treatment and When to See a Doctor

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Fever is an increase in the body’s temperature above normal. Body temperature is usually lowest in the morning and goes up through the day. Each person’s body temperature can be different. It is hard to give an exact temperature for a fever, but most health care providers agree that a fever is a temperature of 100.4˚ Fahrenheit (F) or 38˚ Celsius (C) or higher.

Fevers can show that the body is fighting an infection from a virus or bacteria. It can also happen after getting a vaccine, from getting overheated, or from a very bad sunburn. Many times, the fever does not need to be treated and will go away on its own.

How to Take a Temperature

The type of thermometer used may make a difference.

To take a temperature, use a digital thermometer. Never use a mercury thermometer.
Rectal (in baby’s bottom) thermometers are the most accurate.
Forehead (temporal artery) thermometers are the next best choice if used the right way.
Oral (mouth) and ear (tympanic) thermometers can be used if done properly. For oral temperatures, wait 30 minutes after drinking something hot or cold. For ear, wait 15 minutes after coming in from the cold.
Lastly, an axillary (armpit) temperature can be used as a quick check but it is not very accurate.

The best ways to check your child’s temperature depends on their age.

Under 3 months: rectal or forehead thermometers
4 months or older: rectal, forehead, or axillary thermometers
Older than 6 months: rectal, forehead, ear, or axillary thermometers

4 years old or older: oral (mouth), forehead, ear, or axillary thermometers

Be sure to tell your child’s health care provider which method you used.

Home Treatment

A fever may not need to be treated unless your child is uncomfortable. Even higher temperatures are not usually dangerous unless they have a long-term illness.

Dress your child in light clothing. Over dressing them can trap the body’s heat and make the temperature go higher.
- Babies under age 1: Dress them in a sleep sack or wearable blanket. Do not put loose blankets over them.
- Children over age 1: While sleeping, cover them with a sheet or light blanket.
Give extra fluids.
- Babies under age 1: Continue to give breast milk and formula. They should not be given water. If they are older than 6 months, you can give Pedialyte®.
- Children over age 1: Offer extra liquids to drink, like water, diluted 100% juice, popsicles, or Pedialyte.
Your child may not want to eat much. Offer soft foods often and in small amounts but do not force them to eat.
Give sponge baths or let your child soak in a tub. Water should be lukewarm, not too hot or cold. Use a wash cloth to sponge the water over your child’s body (Picture 1).
- Do NOT add alcohol to the water. It can be dangerous.
- Recheck your child’s temperature 15 minutes after the bath. If the temperature is 103˚F (39.4˚C) or is going higher, repeat the sponge bath.
Over-the-counter medicines can help lower a fever. Read the label on the bottle to know the right dose for your child.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) may be used in all children over 2 months.
- Ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®) may be used in children over 6 months.
- Do NOT give aspirin to children (Picture 2). Aspirin has been linked to a disease called Reye’s syndrome, which can be fatal.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your child’s health care provider right away if your child:

Is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4˚F (38˚C) or higher.
Is older than 3 months and has a temperature:
- Of 104 ˚F (40 ˚C) or above.
- Above 102˚F (38.9˚C) for more than 2 days or keeps coming back.
- That has been treated to bring it down, but it has not worked.
At any age, has a fever and:
- Looks very ill, is very fussy, or very drowsy.
- Is not eating or drinking and shows signs of dehydration – dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, dark urine, dry diapers, or not urinating.
- Has a stiff neck, bad headache, very sore throat, painful stomach ache, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Has an unusual rash
- Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car.
- Has immune system problems that make them more likely to get sick, such as sickle cell disease or cancer, or takes a medicine that weakens the immune system.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department if your child has trouble breathing, has a seizure, or is hard to wake up.

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