Key Takeaways
- A fever is often the body’s response to infection in children.
- Common signs include flushed skin, irritability and fatigue.
- Parents should monitor temperature and keep the child hydrated.
- Seek medical attention if the fever is very high or lasts more than three days.
- Avoid overdressing or over-bundling the child, as this can raise body temperature.
- Use a digital thermometer for accurate temperature readings.
- Keep the child in a comfortable environment and monitor their condition regularly.
- Consult a doctor if the fever persists for more than 48 hours or worsens.
- Fever management should be tailored to the child’s age, health status, and specific symptoms.
Children get fever from time to time, and it can often come unexpectedly. One moment they seem perfectly fine, and the next, you notice their body feeling warm to the touch.
This can be particularly concerning for parents and guardians of kids under 3 years old. While most fevers are harmless, children might respond differently, triggering worry among caregivers.
If you’re currently caring for a sick child or preparing for when fever strikes, this article will be your guide. We’ll discuss all of the important aspects, including:
- The causes of fever in children
- Fever management at home
- When to see a doctor
- Myths and facts
- Fever prevention in kids
Keep on reading to find out more.
What is Considered a Fever in Children?
Healthy children have varying body temperatures, from 36.5oC to 37.5oC, and these may change throughout the day. Their temperature may be slightly higher during hot, sunny weather, and similarly, it may drop a bit in the cooler evening hours.
It is considered a mild fever when the temperature hits 37.6°C to 38°C, and for a high fever, 39oC to 40oC or higher.
When your kids have fever, there are several common signs you may notice, such as:
- Warmer body than usual
- Sweating
- Refuses to drink or eat
- Persistent crying
- Uneasiness
What Causes Fever in Kids?
Fever is generally a sign that your kid’s body is fighting off a bacterial infection. Fever helps their bodies to stimulate the immune system that hinders the bacteria from growing.
Aside from bacterial infection, fever in kids may also be caused by:
- Vaccination: It’s common for your child to develop a fever after receiving a vaccine. This is a sign that their immune system is building protection. The fever will usually last over one to two days, but it’s important to monitor their condition during this time.
- Overdressing: In a tropical climate like Singapore, young kids may develop a fever when they’re overdressed. This is because they’re yet to be able to regulate their body temperatures as well as older kids.
How to Ease a Fever in Your Kid at Home
Your first instinct might be to call a doctor, even when it is only a mild fever. We understand how terrifying it can be, especially when you see your kids becoming fussy and unsettled.
Thankfully, most fevers in children can be safely managed at home. With the right approach, the temperature should go down on its own over one to three days.
So how do you ease your kid’s fever at home? Here are the do’s and don’ts:
Do’s
- Give your kid plenty of fluid. If your child is still fully breastfed, continue giving them breastmilk as usual; avoid giving them water.
- Let your kid rest and keep them indoors.
- Monitor your kid, including at night, as fever usually spikes during these times.
- Make sure your kid eats enough.
- A sponge bath with lukewarm water.
- Give fever remedies such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if it’s appropriate for their age. You may speak to your pharmacist if you’re unsure.
Don’ts
- Wrap your kid in blankets. While sweating is an indicator that a fever is slowly cooling down, forcing your kid to sweat could raise their body temperature and cause discomfort.
- Undress your kid. Trying to cool down your child’s fever by undressing them may cause their body to lose heat too quickly, leading to shivering.
- A sponge bath with cold water. Sponge bathing them with cold water similarly leads to shivering, which could raise their fever further.
- Give aspirin. Aspirin could lead to a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome when given to children.
- Alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen. Doing so might get you confused and accidentally give your kid too much of them. Unless advised by your doctor, it’s best to stick to one at a time.
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen if the child is too young for it. Though these medicines are safe for kids, newborns or infants aged below 2 months old may not be recommended to receive them.
When to Worry About a Fever and See a Doctor
Here comes the main question: when is your child’s fever serious enough to need a doctor’s visit?
There are accompanying signs to look out for, which could indicate that your kid’s fever may be more concerning, beyond just a natural body reaction to fight off a bacterial infection. These include:
- Rashes
- Chills
- Headache
- Body aches (e.g., muscle, joint, bone, or eye pain)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Nose bleeding
- Dehydration
- Unusual drowsiness
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Seizures
- Stiff neck
However, sometimes signs are not always true indicators Therefore, you still need to get your kid medically checked under the following conditions:
- Your infant is under 3 months old: A high body temperature of 38oC or higher in infants or newborns under 3 months old is considered serious, you should immediately seek medical attention.
- Your kid is aged 3 months – 3 years old: A 39oC or higher body temperature is considered a fever in infants or kids aged 3 months up until 3 years old.
- The fever lasts for more than 3 days: A fever that lasts for more than 3 days needs a blood check to allow the doctor to diagnose any underlying health issue affecting your child.
- Your kid’s body temperature reaches 40oC or higher: Regardless of your child’s age, a high fever reaching 40oC or higher requires immediate medical attention.
- Your child’s fever doesn’t cool down with medications: If you’ve given your child remedies to cure fever, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, it’s best to get them checked by a paediatrician to identify if there are any serious concerns.
- Your kid refuses fluid and is dehydrated: Dehydration can be dangerous, even fatal in children. So if your kid refuses to take in fluids after you have tried multiple times, it’s best to visit a doctor.
- Your kid has pre-existing medical conditions: If your child has pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart disease or autoimmune disorders, seeing a paediatrician is often needed if their fever doesn’t cool down after taking medicines.
Fever Myths and Facts
Myth #1: High fevers will lead to brain damage.
Fact: High fevers (body temperatures ranging from 39oC to 40oC) won’t cause brain damage. Only fevers that are higher than 42oC can, which is very rare—usually happen in a very hot air temperature.
Myth #2: Paracetamol and ibuprofen are dangerous for kids.
Fact: Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe to be given to kids—syrup for infants from the age of 2 months, suppositories from the age of 3 months, and tablets from the age of 6 years. Newborns or infants below the age of 2 months shouldn’t be given these medicines without consulting a paediatrician.
Myth #3: All fevers should be treated with medicines.
Fact: Not all fevers, especially mild fevers, need medicines to treat. Paracetamols or ibuprofen should only be given if your child experiences discomfort from the fever (usually when the fever reaches 39oC or higher).
Myth #4: Fevers should completely go away after being given medicines.
Fact: Fever-reducing medicines usually cool down fevers by 1oC or 1.5oC, which may not necessarily return your kid’s body temperature back to normal, depending on how high the fever was initially.
Myth #5: If the fever won’t cool down, the cause is always serious.
Fact: Children’s fevers that won’t cool down after being given medicines, don’t always indicate something serious. It could be due to bacterial or viral infections that the immune system is trying to fight off—it’s best to consult a doctor for a more accurate diagnosis.
Myth #6: Seizures are always caused by high fever.
Fact: Seizures may occur due to high fever, also known as febrile seizures. But not all children will experience seizures from high fever—around one in 20 children experiences at least one febrile seizure at some point in their lives.
Myth #7: Seizures with fever are dangerous.
Fact: Seizures with fever are mostly harmless. They won’t cause brain damage, learning disability, or epilepsy—however, complex febrile seizures can increase the risk of epilepsy. Consult a paediatrician if your child experiences seizures with fever.
Myth #8: Once the fever cools down, it should stay down.
Fact: It’s common for your kid’s fever to cool down and come back when the medicine wears off—thus requiring it to be treated again. The fever will go away once your child’s immune system has fought off the bacterial or viral infection.
Myth #9: Temperatures between 37.1oC and 37.5oC are mild fevers.
Fact: Body temperatures fluctuate depending on the time of the day—may be higher during a hot, sunny day. So it’s completely normal for your child to have a body temperature from 37.1oC to 37.5oC and it’s not considered a mild fever.
Myth #10: Wrapping up kids in blankets or jackets will cool down the fevers.
Fact: Wrapping your kid in blankets or jackets in the hope of making their body sweat and cooling down their fever, is counterproductive. Your child may be uncomfortable and increase the risk of shivering, which can further raise their body temperature.
Fever and COVID-19 Considerations
Fever is one of the symptoms of COVID-19, and it can be difficult to differentiate between a common cold and COVID-19 in your child without a test. However, COVID-19 patients typically experience additional symptoms beyond fever, such as fatigue and muscle aches.
So, if you suspect your child may have been exposed, seeing a doctor for a PCR test is the best way to find out.
Preventing Fever in Children
Aside from fevers caused by vaccination, you can prevent children’s fever by limiting bacterial exposure from your kids. Several good habits are recommended, and these include:
- Washing hands: Washing hands regularly helps remove germs and bacteria. Make sure that you wash your and your kid’s hands regularly before eating, after using the toilet, and after being around people.
- Feed your kids with nutritious foods: Foods that are high in vitamins and minerals can help your kid build an immune system, preventing fevers caused by bacteria or viruses from developing.
- Avoid overdressing your kid: Overdressing your kid can make them uncomfortable and trap heat inside their body, which may lead to fevers.
Final Thoughts
Fever in children is very common, affecting kids of all ages. It occurs as an indicator that their bodies are trying to fight off bacterial or viral infection by building immune systems—which is mostly harmless.
Many parents and caregivers tend to worry and seek immediate medical help. It’s perfectly fine and we understand that.
However, unless there are additional symptoms, the child has a high fever, or the sick child is a newborn or between 3 months and 3 years old, fever in kids can be safely managed at home.
That’s what the Child First Aid course is for—guiding parents and caregivers out there on how to provide first aid for their children, including managing fevers, while focusing on comfort and recognising when medical care is necessary.
If you need further details about the course, we are here to help. Contact us today!
FAQs
Is 37.5 a fever in a child?
37.5oC is a mild fever in children. However, this can also be caused by hot air temperature, which causes your kid’s body temperature to rise.
When should I bring my child in for a fever?
You should bring your child to a doctor if they show symptoms like chills, rashes, or body aches. Fevers lasting for more than 3 days, or affecting children between 3 months and 3 years old also require medical attention.
Is it OK to let a child’s fever run its course?
It’s OK to let a child’s fever run its course as long as you monitor them closely. Seek medical help if symptoms are present or if the fever lasts for more than 3 days.
How should I reduce a high fever and keep it down?
If your kid experiences a high fever (39oC to 40oC), you should first give them paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, when it reaches higher than 40oC or if your kid is a newborn or aged 3 months – 3 years old, visiting a doctor is necessary to get them checked.
And there is no medically proven way to keep a fever down completely. Fever may return even when it has cooled down.
