Childhood Fevers Made Simple: A Holistic Approach

When is a fever too high for a child?

This is a question I get asked often by worried parents, as high childhood fevers can be dangerous or signify that something serious is going on. The truth is, it is difficult to judge just based on your child’s temperature how severe the illness is.  Both viral infections, like common colds and bacterial infections like ear infections, can cause fevers in children.

Some common viral infections can cause high spikes in your child’s temperature, ranging from 103-104. These fevers usually don’t stay persistently high and will wax and wane on their own. Whereas bacterial infections like ear infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, strep throat infections can cause more persistent fevers that last over several days.

You may find that the fevers in these cases only go down while taking medications to bring it down, then the fevers come back when the medication wears off. 

So there is no certain number or high temperature that is truly telling of whether something bad is happening, but the most important thing to consider when your child has a fever is how he or she is looking overall.

For instance, how active is your child? Still playful? Still eating? Still drinking fluids? Everyone reacts differently to fevers, some kids would run around playing despite having a high fever of 102 or 103, whereas some kids will want to only lay down and rest with a low grade of 100.8. 

If at any point your child is acting unwell, pause, encourage fluids and rest, check the temperature, and treat the fever if there is one.

How to reduce a fever in your child naturally

Without medications, you can do several things to help bring the body temperature down.  

1. You can give a lukewarm bath
2. Use cold towels and place them on the neck/armpits/and forehead
3. Dress your child in light clothes, and not overdress them
4. Use a light blanket

Even if you decide to give your childhood medicine to treat the fever, these are excellent comfort measures to help them feel more comfortable.

When to give medicine to your child with a fever

IF your child is having fever and acting unwell, despite these initial interventions, try an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.  These are 2 different types of medication that help with bringing down the body temperature, and they are processed differently by the body. So they are generally not to be used indiscriminately.

Acetaminophen can be given every 4-6  hours as needed; ibuprofen every 6-8 hours. You can find the medication dosing chart for these medicines here to get the safe dosing guidance for your child based on his or her body weight.

How to check your child’s temperature

A quick note about how to check your child’s temperature: In infants, a rectal thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature.  In older kids, you can use an infrared (video) or digital thermometer. There are some caveats, however.

1. These devices will give you different temperatures with different readings.

2. Temperature taken at different body parts will vary depending on where it’s taken.  You will get the most accurate and highest internal temperature by taking a rectal temp; but under the tongue, forehead, and armpits will also give you readings but those readings will be slightly lower than the rectal temperature. 

Again, as I just mentioned, it’s not so much about the actual number but what’s higher than your child’s normal temperature range that is key. Use your preferred method of temperature taking consistently, and by doing so, in time, you will know when things are out of the norm for your child.

When should your child see the doctor for a fever?

Lastly, I want to talk about when your child should see the doctor for a fever. Fevers are common with common infections, and aren’t always dangerous.  Common childhood illnesses may cause fevers for 2-3 days, then resolve on their own.

As a holistic pediatrician, I believe your child’s overall state of health is important to consider.

If the fever lasts over 4-5 days and is persistent;

If your child appears fatigued and not acting like himself/herself;

If your child is not drinking fluids or making less frequent pees;

If your child has any respiratory distress or rapid breathing 

These are all things that would warrant a closer medical evaluation.  Childhood fevers are a natural response to an infection, but if it is persistent over 5 days or associated with other symptoms, where your child may be dehydrated or having difficulty breathing, you will want to contact your pediatrician for proper guidance.