Fever in infants and young children

Fever is common in children but is not necessarily harmful, nor is it always evidence of a serious illness. Fever is a sign that the body’s inflammatory response has been turned on. The most common cause of this is a viral or bacterial infection. Fever, or higher body temperature is thought to be adaptive and beneficial in that it helps neutralize the infecting microbe.

Fever symptoms can include:

• rapid breathing and heart rate
• glossy eyes and flushed or marbled skin
• lethargy

For children of any age, parents and caregivers should be attentive to changes in eating or sleeping habits, coughing, pain or other marked changes in a child’s behavior.

When does a child have a fever?

A child is considered feverish when he or she has an oral or rectal temperature of 38.2 Celsius (100.7 Fahrenheit) or higher.

When to seek medical advice

Same day: we recommend heading to a network walk-in clinic or to the Emergency Department in the following cases:

• Children younger than 3 months with an oral or rectal temperature of 38.2 Celsius (100.7 Fahrenheit) or higher should be seen by a doctor the same day
• In children over 3 months old with  an oral or rectal temperature of 38.2 Celsius (100.7 Fahrenheit) or higher, medical advice should be sought same-day if fever accompanied by the following: the child appears uncomfortable or in distress despite administering a fever reducer (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), the child complains of headache and stiff neck, the child refuses to drink, for prolonged periods of time, the child has had a convulsion (seizure)
• Children with chronic diseases or who have weak immune systems should also be seen early

Call Info Santé at 811, consult your pediatrician or family doctor, or head to your nearest network walk-in clinic in the following cases:

Mild flu symptoms, gastroenteritis and fever that generally lasts 3 to 5 days can be treated at home and do not require medical attention.

How to best care for a feverish child

• Your child may not feel like eating much with a fever. To prevent dehydration, give your child plenty of fluids — water, juice, soup, flavored gelatin or ice pops.
• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child’s temperature is causing him or her discomfort. Reducing the fever does not change the natural course of the illness, but often makes the child more comfortable. A comfortable child is more likely to drink and eat which is important in fighting an infection. Be sure to follow the package’s instructions for your child’s age and weight. Do not give children and teenagers aspirin or aspirin-containing products, because they have been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to coma and death.
• Dress the child lightly and use lighter bedclothes to avoid overheating.
• About 5% of children between 6 months and 6 years of age sometimes have seizures or convulsions (called febrile seizures) when they have a  fever. These seizures are seldom harmful and are caused by the combination of a virus and a change in temperature in a susceptible child. During a seizure, protect children from hurting themselves by keeping them away from nearby objects and making sure they are breathing freely. These seizures most often stop by themselves within a minute. Report the seizure to your child’s doctor. If the seizures continue, go to the emergency room.

How do I take my child’s temperature?

There are several ways to take your child’s temperature. Our experts recommend rectal and oral methods because of their accuracy, and advise against checking temperature more than once a day. Additional temperature readings add little value.

The right method depends on your child’s age. Use this chart to help you decide which method to use:

An accurate temperature reading is especially important during the first 3 months of your child’s life. During this time, a rectal thermometer remains the most accurate way to measure your child’s temperature.