Feeling hot? How to know when fever is an emergency
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This story is brought to you by Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, the leading neonatal and pediatric provider in the region. EIRMC offers the most comprehensive and advanced pediatric care, as well as access to pediatric subspecialties for children from birth to 18 years old. It is the only hospital in Idaho Falls with inpatient pediatric care.
It’s easy to forget that fever is one of the body’s natural ways of fighting illness and infection. When the number on the thermometer rises, we are often concerned but unsure when to seek medical care. Here’s how to know when a fever is an emergency.
Fever in babies and children
When children run a fever, it’s usually the sign of a harmless viral or bacterial infection that will run its course with rest and home care. Often, the number on the thermometer is only part of the puzzle. You may need to look for additional clues when deciding whether medical care is necessary, especially in babies who are too young to speak. Kennadee King, a pediatric RN in EIRMC’s Pediatric ICU, shares signs in her informational video.
Some of these include if your child is:
- Behaving differently than normal; weak or constant crying and fussiness
- Not hungry or thirsty; having fewer wet diapers
- Unusually tired and lethargic; unresponsive or unable to be awakened
- Having trouble breathing
- Very pale with ashy, patchy, bluish skin or a reddish rash
- Experiencing muscle weakness, ear pain or a stiff neck
All of these are warning signs that something is wrong and you should seek immediate medical intervention. In medical emergencies, EIRMC’s pediatric ER is staffed with pediatric emergency medicine experts who can provide specialized care for infants and children of all ages.
If you’re just not sure, the expert pediatric and adult nurses at EIRMC’s Consult-A-Nurse line are available 24/7 to help you understand symptoms, manage chronic conditions and learn about treatment options over the phone: (208) 497-6167.
Here are some general fever guidelines from the Mayo Clinic:
Babies under 3 months – Call your pediatrician, even if there are no other signs or symptoms, if your infant’s temperature is 100.4ºF or higher (rectal) or 99ºF or higher (armpit).
Babies 3 to 6 months – A temperature above 102ºF taken rectally warrants a call to your doctor. Babies who appear unusually irritable, sleepy or uncomfortable should also see a doctor.
Babies 6 to 24 months – Children 6 months or older can be given acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). However, you should avoid giving aspirin to children this young. Call your pediatrician if your child’s fever is higher than 102ºF (taken rectally) and either doesn’t respond to medication or lasts longer than a day.
Children 2 to 17 years – Like the previous age group, kids in this age group can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen and should avoid aspirin. If a fever above 102ºF (taken rectally for ages 2 to 3 and orally for children over 3) doesn’t respond to medication or lasts longer than three days, contact your doctor.
A note about fever-taking methods:
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider what method you used to determine that your child is running a fever. Some temperature-taking methods are considered more accurate than others.
- Temperatures taken rectally are generally considered more accurate in young children
- Plastic strip thermometers are generally not recommended for home use since they measure skin temperature, not body temperature
- Armpit temps tend to run one-half to one degree lower than oral temps
- Ear and rectal temps tend to run one-half to one degree higher than oral temps
Fever in adults
Below 102ºF – Rest and drink plenty of fluids. No treatment is needed unless the fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, behavior change, severe pain or other unusual symptoms.
Above 102ºF – Be sure to seek treatment if the fever:
- Breathing problems
- Vomiting or severe stomach pain
- Headache and confusion
- Severe back pain or stiff neck
Acetaminophen vs. Ibuprofen
According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies suggest ibuprofen is the champ at fighting fever, pain and inflammation while acetaminophen takes the prize for arthritis and headache relief. To maximize the effects of both and minimize the risks of taking too much of either, consider alternating between the two.
For most fevers, chicken soup and a little TLC are the right prescription. But if you do have a medical emergency, EIRMC’s pediatric ER and adult ER are always here for you.