What is fever?
- Fever is your body’s normal reaction to an infection – it is a good thing
- Fever is a temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- A temperature less than 100.4 is normal and does not need to be treated.
What is the best way to take a temperature?
- Rectal temperatures are the most accurate and should always be used in babies under 2 months
- An underarm temperature in children greater than 2 months of age may be used. You do not need to add or subtract a degree.
- Ear thermometers are notoriously inaccurate.
Should I be afraid of a fever? NO!!
- Fever will not cause brain damage and will not hurt your child whether it is 101 or 104. Remember, fever is a good thing. It is your body fighting an infection.
- How your child looks and feels is more important than the number on the thermometer. Bring the fever down, then assess how your child is feeling.
Why should I treat a fever?
- While your child has a fever, they may feel achy and lethargic.
- Treating the fever may make your child feel better in the interim, although it will not make the infection go away.
What medicines can I use to treat a fever?
- TYLENOL is the brand name for ACETAMINOPHEN • MOTRIN and ADVIL are brand names for IBUPROFEN
- Children less than 6 months of age can be given ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL) every 4 hours as needed.
- Children 6 months of age and older can be given TYLENOL every 4 hours or IBUPROFEN (MOTRIN/ADVIL) every 6 hours as needed.
- TYLENOL and MOTRIN/ADVIL are two different medicines. They shouldn’t be given at the same time. TYLENOL needs to be given 4 hours from TYLENOL. MOTRIN/ADVIL needs to be given 6 hours from MOTRIN/ADVIL. Because they are different medicines, they can be given closer together. For example you can give TYLENOL then 2-3 hours later give MOTRIN/ADVIL then 2-3 hours later give TYLENOL…
- These medicines should only be given when your child actually has a fever.
- TYLENOL and IBUPROFEN take approximately 30 minutes to work. Give the medicine time to work.
- Please take a TYLENOL and IBUPROFEN dosage form at the front desk the next time you visit the office, or click here for our Dosage Form online.
When you should call our office
- Any child less than 2 months of age has a fever
- Fever persists longer than 72 hours
- Fever does not respond to Tylenol or ibuprofen