Fast Facts About Your Child's Fever

No matter how hard you try to keep your kids healthy, at some point they'll get sick. In this video, Darria Long Gillespie, MD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy at Sharecare helps calm your nerves and react to your child's fever.

Transcript

00:00

No matter how hard you try to keep your kids healthy, at some point they'll get sick. Next time your baby has a fever, follow these simple tips

00:09

instead of giving into panic. First, let's talk temperature. If your child is under three months

00:15

and they have a fever of 100.4 or higher, call your doctor immediately. For a child over three months, the cut off is 102.5.

00:25

But even if the fever is lower, be on the lookout for the following. Is he really fussy or lethargic?

00:32

Is she vomiting or refusing to drink liquids? Has the fever lasted over 24 hours?

00:39

These signs are as important as the fever in signaling an infection serious enough to call your pediatrician.

00:45

If your child doesn't display any of those red flag symptoms, here are a few things you can do to ease their discomfort.

00:52

Keep infants at any age hydrated with plenty of breast milk or formula. At six months you can even introduce small sips of water.

01:01

It is OK to give acetaminophen to babies over three months. And if your child is over six months, you can also add ibuprofen.

01:09

It's safe to stagger these medications because they're different. Just keep track and be sure to consult with your doctor

01:15

on the recommended dosage. A sponge bath in combination with medication will help lower the fever.

01:22

Just make sure it's lukewarm water. Cold water will cause shivering and worsen the temperature.

01:28

Lastly, never give your child a rubbing alcohol bath, even if grandma recommends it. The alcohol can be absorbed through the skin.

01:35

Visit sharecare.com/drdarria for more tips on keeping your kids healthy and happy.