When a child wakes up in the middle of the night and is flushed, hot and sweaty, it’s easy to be unsure of what to do next. Should you get the thermometer? Call the doctor? Maybe even go to the hospital?
First, we should talk about what fevers are and why they happen. A fever is a temporary increase in body temperature, typically due to an illness. Having a fever is a sign that something out of the ordinary is happening in your child’s body. A fever itself is not a reason to be concerned; it’s a sign the body is fighting something. But when a fever reaches above 102 degrees, it may be worth a call to your child’s pediatrician. Some other reasons parents should call a doctor about a fever include:
- If your child is less than three months old (A fever in an infant is considered to be one that is 100.4 degrees or higher)
- If the fever lasts more than three days
- If the fever is accompanied by a dark rash (small or larger spots, flat or raised) that resemble a bruise and doesn’t get paler when you press on it
- If your child is extremely sleepy or extremely irritable
- If your child has severe pain or difficulty moving any part of the body
- If your child has trouble breathing or is breathing more quickly or forcefully than usual
- If your child has a condition or is taking a medication that makes it harder for them to fight an infection
Parents know their child better than anyone else and typically know when something just isn’t right or is “off” with their child. If you are worried, call your child’s pediatrician.
If your child has a typical fever and no side effects, then some old fashioned TLC should do the trick along with plenty of rest and of course lots of fluids. A dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen should also help if they’re uncomfortable. (Infants less than three months old should not be given any medication for fever without being checked by a doctor and children less than six months old should not receive ibuprofen). Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician for appropriate dosing amounts. Remember, while fever medication can temporarily bring a temperature down, it usually won’t return it to normal – and it won’t treat the underlying reason for the fever.
All kids get fevers, and in most cases they’re completely back to normal within a few days. But if you are ever in doubt about what to do for a fever, or what a fever might mean, call your child’s pediatrician for advice.
