What Do I Do If My Child Has a Fever?

Your child may tell you my head hurts and feels hot. That is one indication that your child has a fever. In addition, your child face may be red and hot. When touching their skin it might be moist. Another indication might be eyes may look glassy and have chills. Your child may be fussy and breathing may be fast. If you notice your child not being active or not being there self something is wrong. Your child might not eat and want to sleep more. There could be more signs to know if your child has a fever but this are the most common ones you should look for.

What can I do at home to reduce fever? There is many ways to reduce a fever. Do not overdress your child. Remove clothing or dress your child lightly. Keep the room cool with a fan or a humidifier. Turn down the heat of the room. The reason is that this would make your child increase the fever. Put a wet cloth on your child's forehead. If cloths gets warm, wet it again with luke warm water and apply. You could keep a bowl fill with luke warm water next to the bed. You could also sponge your child with luke warm water while lying in bed. Give your child fluids to drink for example; water, pedialyte or jello water. Also another way to reduce your child's fever is to give them cold drinks, and popsicles. This would rehydrate and feel better quickly. After giving them this, check your child's temperature every four hours. Give your child Tylenol every 4-6 hours if fever is over 101 degrees F oral. Do not give your child aspirin. If fever does not go away after 30 minutes when giving Tylenol, take your child a sponge bath with luke warm water. Never add alcohol to sponge bath water. Fill up the bath with three inches of luke water. Use a wash cloth to sponge your child for 10 minutes. If child keeps crying and shivers during sponge bath, stop immediately. When the child shivers the fever is increasing. Lay down with your child, show him that you are there. Make sure your child has plenty of rest. Don't cover your child too much. Pick a sheet or something light to cover your child.

When should I call a doctor? If the baby is younger than 2 months and has a fever of 100.2 degrees F rectal or higher. If baby is between 2 and 6 months old and has a fever of 101 degrees F rectal or higher. If the child is older than 6 months and has a fever of 103 degrees F rectal or higher. You also should call the doctor if your child is throwing up a lot or is complaining of a stomach pain. If your child has a skin rash or signs of skin infection. If the child has a seizure call 911. If you noticed your child cries if touched or moved and cannot be comforted or if your child is hard to wake up call the doctor or take him to the emergency.