Is it a Fever and What to Do?

How to Take a Temperature
We recommend using a digital thermometer to quickly and accurately take your child's temperature.

Please Note: The most effective method for taking your child's temperature may depend on their age.

Rectal Temperatures (How to: Rectal Temperature)

• Accuracy: The most accurate
• Age: Under 2 years. Particularly important for infants 3 months of age or younger

Oral / Eardrum Temperatures (How to:  Oral Temperature and How to: Eardrum Temperature)

• Accuracy: Accurate if done properly and can be more convenient.
• Age: For children 5 years old or older, take the temperature by mouth.

Axillary (armpit) temperatures (How to: Armpit Temperature)

• Accuracy: The least accurate
• Better than no measurement, can be used for screening if done correctly
• Recommend using one of the other methods listed above ​

What is considered a temperature?

[What does this mean?]
The expected time course of most fevers due to viral illnesses is 3 to 4 days. The height of the fever does not necessarily relate to the seriousness of the illness.

The recommended home care management of fevers includes:

• Treat all fevers with extra fluids and less clothing.
• Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for reducing fever (see dosing chart) it is best to use your child’s weight when figuring out the right dose.
• Never use aspirin due to the risk of Reyes syndrome, a dangerous complication of ingesting aspirin during certain viral infections such as chicken pox.

Call our emergency hotline (+1 (202) ###-####) immediately if:

• Your child is less than 2 months of age with a temperature over 100.4 °F or less than 4 months old with a temperature greater than 101.4°F.
• Your child’s temperature is over 105°F.
• Your child looks or acts very sick and you can’t bring the temperature down with the appropriate dose of antipyretic.
• Your child looks or acts very sick regardless of the temperature.

Call our office (+1 (202) 466-5350) during regular hours if:

• Your child is 2 to 6 months old with temperature greater than 101.4°F and without an obvious cause or location of infection.
• The fever is between 104° and 105 °F, especially if your child is less than 2 years old.
• Your child has had a fever more than 3 days.
• Your child is uncomfortable and refuses to drink.
• The fever went away for more than 24 hours and then returned.
• Your have other concerns or questions.

Many preparations come in an infant formulation as well as a children’s formulation. The infant formulation is more concentrated. You must check the concentration on the label.