When should I call the doctor about my child's fever?

Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has one or more of the following symptoms:

• He does not smile or play for even a few minutes every four-hours
• He shows signs of dehydration (drying out):

        - No urine in six hours in an infant younger than 12 months old

        - No urine in more than eight hours in a child older than 12 months old

        - No tears when crying

        - Sunken eyes

        - Dry lips and mouth

• Vomits more than 2 times.
• He is not comfortable, even when held
• He seems to be breathing hard or fast even after the fever has been treated with medicine.
• He develops a rash
• The fever lasts more than three days
• He complains of any persistent pain such as earache, pain with voiding or stomach pain.
• For a baby less than 2 months old with any fever who has not yet been checked by a doctor for the fever.
• For a baby 2-6 months old with a fever more than 102.2°F (rectally) who has not yet been checked by a doctor for the fever.
• For a baby 6-24 months old with a fever more than 103°F (rectally) who has not yet been checked by a doctor for the fever.
• You have any concerns about how your child looks or feels.

Check with your child’s doctor about when to call for a fever if your child:

• Sees a doctor or specialist for a medical condition on a regular basis.
• Has had urinary tract infections (UTI) in the past.

The definition of fever for each age does vary slightly among pediatricians, but here are some general guidelines.

Call immediately if your baby is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If the pediatrician can’t be reached, go to the emergency department.

If your infant is older than 3 months with a temperature above 102°F (39°C), call your pediatrician. The doctor will likely ask you about other symptoms (eg, cough, cold, vomiting, diarrhea) and how your child is acting overall to help determine if you need to bring your child in for evaluation or if you can wait and watch him at home for a few days.

For children older than 6 months, a temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher warrants a call (you’ll probably be calling before you read this anyway). Otherwise, they can be watched at home as long as they are alert, interactive, and drinking fluids. If the symptoms aren’t improving in 2 or 3 days or they are worsening, see your pediatrician.

Find out more about this book: Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions About Babies and...

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