It can be nerve-wracking when your child’s temperature starts rising. What many parents don’t realize is that fevers are not necessarily bad. In fact, a fever is a sign that your child’s immune system is working. The increase in temperature indicates that something has breached the body’s defenses and it has recognized this and is fighting it.

Fevers in Babies

Babies tend to be more delicate when it comes to disease. This is particularly true in newborns. If your baby is less than three months old and has a fever over 100.3°, be sure to take him to the doctor. Small infants can succumb quickly to infections or viruses and may need to be treated in a hospital.

Between three and six months of age, babies should see a doctor if their temperature hits 101° or above. Up to a year, it’s best to see a doctor if the fever is over 103°.

Fevers in Children

After the first year, fevers are not as dangerous. If a child over a year old has a fever of 103° it is rarely an issue, unless it is a persistent fever. This means that none of the remedies you try bring the fever down. In this case, you would want to seek medical aid.

Treating a Fever

Acetaminophen or children’s Tylenol is a common fever reducer and is safe in the correct dosage for infants and older children. If you use ibuprofen to bring a fever down, be aware that it is not recommended for babies under six months of age.

Non-medicinal treatments abound. As long as the fever is not too high, you can start with a cool, damp washcloth on the back of the neck or the forehead. A bath in lukewarm (not cold) water is also effective in many cases. If possible, keep the child dressed in light clothing.

When a Fever Means Trouble

You know to check with the doctor if your child’s temperature gets too high, but this is not the only sign that something is wrong. A fever is merely one symptom and must be considered along with the others.

Watch your child carefully. Is he lethargic? Has his activity level or personality changed? These can be signs that something more serious is going on. When a normally active child stops playing and wants to lie down, you know that something is going on. The same goes for a normally voracious eater who ignores food.

As a parent, you know your child best. You know when something is off. Even if your little one’s fever isn’t high enough to worry about, take him to the doctor if he is not acting normally.

Your child depends on you to determine whether or not he needs intervention. With a fever, the body is often just fighting a virus or infection and can handle it alone. Sometimes, however, a little help is required.

We’ve considered every possibility to make sure your experience with us is both efficient and enjoyable. For that reason, we have a simple 3-step process for new clients:

Need an Opinion From a Nurse?

Our trained staff of health professionals have all the knowledge and experience needed to assist with your medical and care needs – and we’ll come to you, at your home.

1. Get in touch with us for your free in-home or phone consultation – During this stage, we’ll discuss any unique care needs you or your loved one may have and answer any questions.
2. We’ll assign the best nurse for the job – We rely heavily on our belief that personal care should be exactly that – personal. That’s why we implement a thorough selection process when matching each client with one of our nurses. This evaluation looks at things like personality and the unique health conditions of each patient so we can find a nurse that is the perfect fit for them!
3. Select a payment option – You shouldn’t have to go without care because you couldn’t find a payment option that fits your budget. For that reason, we provide 3 flexible payment options for our clients, ensuring they receive the best care for the best price.

We are strong believers in getting things done. After all, Nurses on Demand was created to help patients get the quickest care possible. Gone are the days of busy and uncomfortable hospital waiting rooms. Our 3-step process is designed to get you the care you need , when you need it.

If you need help assessing your child’s fever, or require other assistance, personal care, relief/respite, or around-the-clock care, please contact Nurses on Demand.