FEVER is a temperature greater than 100.4°F and treatment of fevers is dependent on age. Fever is not a medical emergency unless your child is less than 2 months old. Fever is a sign of your body fighting an infection and is a good thing. Unfortunately, fevers also make your child feel pretty crummy and that is a bad thing. It is always important to remember to treat your child and not the fever. What we mean by that is that if your child is sleeping, active or playing comfortably, you don’t have to treat the fever. But, when you child is not feeling well (fussy, irritable, headache, body aches, etc…) you should treat him/her with a fever reducer (see tables for Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen dosing).
Neonate (Birth to 2 mo)
Normal temperature is 98.6 (range of 97-99)
Temperature greater than 100.4? Call our office to schedule a same day appointment or go to the ER immediately (preferably YRMC East Campus).
Infant (2 mo to 18 mo)
Normal temperature is 98.6 (range of 97-99)
Temperature 100.4-103—May give acetaminophen or ibuprofen (ibuprofen is only for infant 6 months or older). If temperatures persist more than 2-3 days or your child is complaining of pain and is not acting normal please call our office for an appointment.
Temperature of 103 or greater? Call our office to schedule a same day appointment for evaluation.
Toddler (18 mo to 3 yrs)
Normal temperature is 98.6 (range of 97-99)
Temperature 100.4 or greater—May give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If temperatures persist more than 2-3 days or your child is complaining of pain or is not acting normal please call our office for an appointment.
Child/Teen
Normal temperature is 98.6 (range of 97-99)
Temperature 100.4 or greater? May give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If temperatures persist more than 2-3 days or your child is complaining of pain or is not acting normal please call our office for an appointment