FEVER
Q: I’m not sure what to consider a fever for my three-year-old. I’ve heard several opinions.
A: A fever is a high body temperature. It’s a way your body fights being sick. A fever shows that the body is responding to infection or other illness- minor or severe. A fever is a symptom and not an illness by itself. It can be caused by anything, from a cold, to hot weather, to being overdressed, or even an injury. Some medicine may cause fever. Some people have lower temperatures in the mornings. So, there is a lot of variability. Normal body temperature for most is 98.6, and a fever is considered 100.4 degree core temperature. Temperature is an important test, but it has to be in context with other things that are going on. I mostly don’t worry about fever until it is 101 degrees, and then usually treat with Motrin or Tylenol. At 103 degrees, I become more concerned and probably need to evaluate why they have such a high fever.
Dr. Rick Casey
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