Fever Phobia
If you've ever stayed up all night with a feverish child, you understand the worry fevers can cause.
According to a recent study in Pediatrics, 91 percent of parents surveyed thought that fever causes harmful effects, and 89 percent of parents said they opt for fever reducers before temperatures reach 102 degrees.
“Fever is a natural response to infection,” says Doug Carlson, MD, FAAP, director of pediatric hospital medicine at St. Louis Children's Hospital. “Contrary to what many parents believe, fevers don't cause brain damage, organ problems or other harmful effects to the body. Most fevers are a necessary defense against illness.”
The Benefits of Fever
While a parent's first instinct may be to ease a child's discomfort, many physicians warn against immediately reaching for the acetaminophen or ibuprofen when your child is running a fever.
“One out of every three visits to the pediatrician is fever related,” Dr. Carlson says. “Parents don't have to treat their child's fever unless they want to ease their child's pain. If your child is acting a little cranky but close to normal, he or she is probably okay.”
If you treat your child's fever with medication, it's important to follow proper dosage instructions.
“Always follow directions on medication labels,” Dr. Carlson says. “Combining medications or failing to read labels increases your child’s risk for toxicity.”
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor if your child:
- appears to be dehydrated
- becomes confused, extremely irritable or difficult to arouse
- has a fever registering higher than 105 degrees on a digital thermometer
- has a fever that lasts longer than 72 hours
- looks or acts sick
Parents should call their child's doctor regarding any fever if the child is younger than 3 months old.
