Anytime your child or baby comes down with a fever, no matter how old they are, it is scary.  A common cold with no fever, allergies, even the flu bug (as long as it doesn’t come with a fever) are all easy to deal with.  Somehow, when you add a fever to the mix, no matter how experienced a parent you are it just makes your heart skip a beat, it makes you question your instincts.

In most cases a fever is nothing to worry about.  Children’s bodies fight infection differently than an adult’s body does.  Often times they will come down with a slight fever while fighting the common cold.  As long as the fever doesn’t get too high and is easily managed with over the counter fever reducers you likely don’t have anything to worry about.  However, you should keep an eye out for the following, as they are signs that it is time to call your doctor:

• If your child is under the age of 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.
• If your child is between the ages of 3 months and 6 months and has a temperature of 101 degrees or higher
• If your child is over 6 months of age and is running a temperature of 103 degrees or higher.
• You aren’t able to control or bring down your child’s temperature using over the counter fever reducers.
• Your child has unusual symptoms along with a fever such as sleepiness, irritability, difficulty breathing, red or purple spots, or any other troubling symptoms.
• Your child’s fever last more than a few days.
• Anytime your child has a fever and you are unsure.

Our pediatrician’s office recommends calling whenever there is a fever involved as a nurse is always available to run through symptoms with us and give advice.  I love that about her.  Most pediatricians and family doctors will say the same thing.  When there is a fever involved it is always best to err on the side of caution and make the call.  Fevers, though often nothing, can be warning signs of something else going on, so if in doubt call the doctor.

If you are unsure of how to try your child’s fever talk to your child’s doctor for medication and dosage recommendations.