It’s officially fall, which means football, cooling temperatures and changing leaves. But it means something else, too … flu season.
In the coming months, many parents will receive that dreaded phone call, “Hi, this is the school nurse and your child has a fever. Can you come pick them up?”
Understanding how to handle this situation can help keep the school year running smoothly. Here, I'll discuss some myths about fevers and key tips for managing them.
#1 Myth: Fever means my child is contagious.
Fact: Fever means that our body is doing its job and fighting against an illness or infection. It’s our body's natural response to prevent a foreign body, bacteria and viruses, from growing. An elevated temperature limits the bacteria’s ability to replicate itself and notifies the chemicals in the body to initiate an immune response.
However, there are other causes of fever.
- There are fevers post-vaccine. That just means that the immune system is responding to the vaccine and building up immunity against the virus or the bacteria that the vaccine targets.
- Medications can sometimes cause fever — like penicillin, cephalosporins and others that we use daily.
- Inflammatory conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis can also cause fevers.
If your child has a fever, it's just a sign your child's immune system is working and trying to heal itself.
#2 Myth: Fevers cause seizures.
Fact: Fevers themselves do not cause seizures. Rather, it’s the rapid temperature change that can trigger seizures in some children because the body is not able to regulate it.
#3 Myth: Fevers cause brain damage.
Fact: There is no evidence that fevers over 104°F are associated with brain damage. However, extremely high temperatures, over 108°F may potentially carry risks.
#4 Myth: You must alternate fever-reducing medications like Tylenol and Motrin.
Fact: Alternating fever-reducing medication is common, but you do not have to do it. If Tylenol or Motrin is working and reducing the temperature, you can continue with whatever method you're using. At the point when the medication is no longer working or controlling the temperature, that is when you consider changing to the other one.
When you alternate medications, there is also a chance of overdosing or making a mistake with dosing because you are giving multiple medications at one time. So you want to be careful. It’s best to stick to one medication unless advised otherwise by a health care provider.
Checking your child’s temperature
Knowing how to accurately check your child's temperature is crucial.
- Oral Temperature: Suitable for school-aged children who can follow instructions. Ensure nothing is eaten or drunk before taking the temperature to avoid inaccurate readings.
- Rectal Temperature: Recommended for children under 12 months as it's the most accurate method for infants.
- Axillary (Underarm) Temperature: This can be used for all ages, though it's less accurate than rectal or oral methods.
Always use a digital thermometer for the most reliable readings and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Also worth noting — the average normal body temperature is 98.6°F. We have a range of temperatures from 97.5 to 99.5. Just because we have a slightly elevated temperature does not always mean infection. Most pediatric health care providers consider a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
Managing a child’s fever
If your child has a fever, follow these steps:
- Treat the symptoms: Administer fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Motrin based on your child's age and weight. Use dosing charts provided by your health care provider.
- Hydration: Encourage fluids like Pedialyte or Gatorade to prevent dehydration from fever-induced sweating.
- Rest: Ensure your child rests even if they start feeling better after medication.
- Light clothing: Dress your child in loose, light clothing to help keep them cool.
- Monitor temperature: Check the temperature frequently, especially if they’re showing symptoms of discomfort or irritability. Remember: our temperatures are higher in the evening and late afternoon. We typically are going to have lower temperatures in the morning.
When to visit the health care provider
We typically like to see children after they've had a fever for 24 hours or longer.
- Infants (under 3 months): A rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher requires immediate medical attention.
- Infants (3-6 months): A rectal temperature higher than 102°F, especially if accompanied by irritability or sluggishness, should be checked by a doctor.
- Children (7 months to 2 years): A fever over 102°F lasting more than 24 hours should be evaluated.
- School-aged Children: A fever of 100.4°F or higher lasting more than three days, with symptoms of irritability or lethargy, requires medical attention.
- Seizures: Any seizure related to fever needs immediate evaluation at an emergency room.
By understanding how to manage fevers and promoting healthy habits, parents can help their children stay well and contribute to a healthier school environment for everyone.
