Fever

Common Illnesses

Coughs

Colds

Flu

RSV

Ear Infections
(Otitus Media)

Fevers

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Cavities

Stomach Aches

Sore Throats

Contagious Diseases
Lifelong Health Issues
Unavoidable Conditions
Why Kids Get Sick So Often
When To Call The Doctor
When To Send Your Child to Daycare
Safe Use of Antibiotics

Fevers

Many parents worry unnecessarily about children's fevers, fearing that they may cause brain damage or other serious medical complications. A fever is the body's normal response tinfections and plays a role in fighting them by activating the body's immune system.

A baby has a fever if his or her temperature is higher than 98.6° F when taken under the arm, or 100.4° F degrees with a rectal thermometer. Fevers can be caused by viral or bacterial illness. Teething rarely causes a fever; if it does, the fever is seldom higher than 101° F.

Since a fever may be the first sign of illness, watch your infant/child for other signs.

If your baby feels warm take his or her temperature. If your baby has a fever, but doesn't appear ill, try removing a layer of clothing and recheck the temperature in one-half tone hour.

If an infant's fever is higher than 101°F there is cause for concern. The danger zone for children three months of age and older is when a fever occurs in the 105°F-plus range.

If the high temperature is accompanied by difficult breathing, pale skin, a dry mouth, or poor reaction tstimulation, a physician should see the child immediately.

Ttreat your baby's fever:

Offer plenty of fluids

For fevers 100°F t102°F liquids and less clothing may be the only treatment necessary.

Notify your health care provider before giving medicine (Acetaminophen or ibuprophen) treduce fever. Remember, fevers help your baby's body fight infection.

Dnot give aspirin tyour baby. Aspirin use in children has been associated with Reye's Syndrome, a severe illness.

Sponge baths using tepid water are often useful, provided that the child is not allowed tbecome chilled. Shivering will only increase the fever. Alcohol sponge baths are dangerous and should never be used. Infants and children can absorb the alcohol through the skin.

When your child has a fever, call your health care provider if:

Your baby looks or acts very sick or is crying inconsolably or whimpering.

Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a fever

The fever is higher than 101 in babies older than 3 months

You baby is difficult tawaken or has a decrease in normal activity

Your baby has a stiff neck and cries if you touch him or her.

Your baby has rapid, noisy, or difficult breathing.

Your baby has a poor appetite or as repeated vomiting or diarrhea

There are any changes in appearance of the skin such as yellowing, purple blotches/spots or a rash

The fever has been present more than 72 hours or went away for 24 hours and then returned.

Your baby is fussy and appears thave burning or pain with urination

Your baby has unusual behaviors (trust your feelings).

Your baby shows signs of dehydration:

Four or fewer went diapers in 24 hours

Dry mouth

Sunken eyes

Sunken soft spot on head (fontanel)

Extreme irritability

Listlessness (decreased activity)

Crying without tears

COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS | YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
PARENTING CHALLENGES | RESOURCES AND INFORMATION | ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
BACK TPRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION | RETURN TPRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE

Missed A Program?
Healthworks on Videotape

If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance tkeep up tdate with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 torder your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Common Illnesses Coughs Colds Flu RSV Ear Infections (Otitus Media) Fevers Vomiting Diarrhea Cavities Stomach Aches Sore Throats Contagious Diseases Lifelong Health Issues Unavoidable Conditions Why Kids Get Sick So Often When To Call The Doctor When To Send Your Child to Daycare Safe Use of Antibiotics		Fevers Many parents worry unnecessarily about children's fevers, fearing that they may cause brain damage or other serious medical complications. A fever is the body's normal response tinfections and plays a role in fighting them by activating the body's immune system. A baby has a fever if his or her temperature is higher than 98.6° F when taken under the arm, or 100.4° F degrees with a rectal thermometer. Fevers can be caused by viral or bacterial illness. Teething rarely causes a fever; if it does, the fever is seldom higher than 101° F. Since a fever may be the first sign of illness, watch your infant/child for other signs. If your baby feels warm take his or her temperature. If your baby has a fever, but doesn't appear ill, try removing a layer of clothing and recheck the temperature in one-half tone hour. If an infant's fever is higher than 101°F there is cause for concern. The danger zone for children three months of age and older is when a fever occurs in the 105°F-plus range. If the high temperature is accompanied by difficult breathing, pale skin, a dry mouth, or poor reaction tstimulation, a physician should see the child immediately. Ttreat your baby's fever: Offer plenty of fluids For fevers 100°F t102°F liquids and less clothing may be the only treatment necessary. Notify your health care provider before giving medicine (Acetaminophen or ibuprophen) treduce fever. Remember, fevers help your baby's body fight infection. Dnot give aspirin tyour baby. Aspirin use in children has been associated with Reye's Syndrome, a severe illness. Sponge baths using tepid water are often useful, provided that the child is not allowed tbecome chilled. Shivering will only increase the fever. Alcohol sponge baths are dangerous and should never be used. Infants and children can absorb the alcohol through the skin. When your child has a fever, call your health care provider if: Your baby looks or acts very sick or is crying inconsolably or whimpering. Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a fever The fever is higher than 101 in babies older than 3 months You baby is difficult tawaken or has a decrease in normal activity Your baby has a stiff neck and cries if you touch him or her. Your baby has rapid, noisy, or difficult breathing. Your baby has a poor appetite or as repeated vomiting or diarrhea There are any changes in appearance of the skin such as yellowing, purple blotches/spots or a rash The fever has been present more than 72 hours or went away for 24 hours and then returned. Your baby is fussy and appears thave burning or pain with urination Your baby has unusual behaviors (trust your feelings). Your baby shows signs of dehydration: Four or fewer went diapers in 24 hours Dry mouth Sunken eyes Sunken soft spot on head (fontanel) Extreme irritability Listlessness (decreased activity) Crying without tears
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TPRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TPRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance tkeep up tdate with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 torder your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.