It happens to every parent: your child is running a fever, or has other obvious signs of illness, but not quite so bad that you’re sure a visit to the doctor or hospital is in order. Without being a trained medical professional, it can be very difficult knowing when a child really needs to get sometimes expensive medical help, and when it’s okay to treat the symptoms at home with rest, over-the-counter medicines, and traditional remedies. Below is a brief guide on how to identify the potential seriousness of your child’s condition..
A Mild Fever
It’s important to understand that fevers alone are not actually an illness, merely a symptom that something is going on in the body. In the past, doctors used to diagnose and treat fevers solely on the basis of temperature alone. Now, a more sophisticated analysis of both temperature and the overall condition of a child is used to determine the urgency of treatment.
When a fever is mild enough to not warrant immediate medical attention:
- When your child’s temperature is lower than 102F (38.9C)
- If your child is still somewhat energetic, and interested in playing
- If your child seems alert, and is smiling or seems generally okay
- When your child’s skin color seems normal
- If your child is eating and drinking more or less normally
It is common for children to be overdressed, become hot from exertion (vigorous play), have a mild cold, a minor infection, or for other reasons develop a mild fever. In the case of a non-serious fever, be sure that your child is wearing comfortable clothes, is getting plenty of rest, and is drinking water. Over-the-counter medicines are available for treating a child’s fever, and you should be careful to regular monitor their symptoms and temperature.
Note: Children aged 2 months or younger should never be given over-the-counter medicine or other remedies without the supervision of a doctor.
Note: It is common for many children to develop a mild fever after receiving a vaccination shot. As long as no other symptoms develop, a mild fever will usually pass within a few hours.
A Serious Fever
If you notice any of the following symptoms, the fever is serious enough that you need to immediately seek medical attention:
- The fever is 102F (38.9C) or higher
- Your child seems groggy, dazed, or has trouble remaining alert
- Their skin is red or they have a widespread rash
- Refuses to eat and drink normally
- Has no interest in playing
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Difficulty in breathing after the fever subsides
- Your child is dehydrated (has trouble peeing or crying)
- Continuing diarrhea
- The fever lasts more than 24 hours (for children aged 2 and younger) or 72 hours (3 days) for children aged 2 and up
- Repeated incidences of vomiting
- Blue lips, tongue, or nails
- Your child has stomach (belly) pain
- Your child is limp or doesn’t want to move
- A severe headache
- Bleeding
- A stiff neck
- Non-stop crying or extreme fussiness/irritability
- Any bulge or change in shape of the child’s head
- Purple spots that may resemble bruises that didn’t exist before the fever
- Your child is in obvious pain or discomfort
Infants and Fever
The behavior of very young children is difficult to monitor, and so parents should be especially vigilant if their newborn develops a fever. If your infant (aged 3 months or younger) develops any of the following, it is time to go to the emergency room immediately:
- A rectal temperature of 100.4F (38C) or higher
- Loss of consciousness or alertness
- Refuses to wake, or remains extremely drowsy after waking
- Has red skin or a widespread rash
Even if you suspect that a warm indoor environment or being bundled into too many restrictive clothes is the cause of your infant’s fever, you should still take your child to the emergency room immediately if their temperature is higher than 100.4F (38C).
Headaches, Coughs and Other Symptoms
Every child will, in the course of their lifetime, suffer from a few minor illnesses, infections and colds. However, if you observe your child with any of the following symptoms, please seek emergency attention right away:
- Bad Headache – If the headache goes away with a pain reliever and rest, it isn’t bad enough to rush to the doctor. However, if your child is completely incapacitated by a headache, it’s time to seek treatment.
- Widespread Rash – Small, isolated rashes on the body are usually not a serious issue. But any rash that spreads over the body might indicate a medical emergency. To test the rash, press it with your finger. If it briefly turns white, it’s a mild rash. If it stays red, go to the emergency room immediately.
- Vomiting – Mild food poisoning and other problems can cause an upset stomach, which you should treat by drinking plenty of fluids. If a child becomes seriously dehydrated, unable to pee or cry, then seek medical attention.
- Coughs – A coughing bout, if not accompanied by other serious symptoms, is usually mild enough that it can be treated at home. But if the coughing becomes unbearably painful, or if your child starts coughing up blood, seek help.
- Stiff Neck – Although some children can get sore muscles in their neck, a stiff or rigid neck may be a sign of meningitis, a serious condition. If your child’s stiff neck is in combination with a fever, headache, and sensitivity to light, seek medical attention right away.
This is just a general guide and while you may not want to over or underreact in a certain situation, trusting your parental instincts is usually the best course of action to take.