Description

A fever in infants and children can be scary, but it is common. It means your child’s body is reacting to an infection. Your child has a fever if his temperature is higher than 100.4 F by rectum. A rectal temperature is most accurate for children younger than 2 years old.

The degree of fever does not always show how bad an illness may be. Children often run a higher temperature than adults for the same illness.

More important than the fever is how your child looks and acts. Watch your child for signs of illness that include:

• appetite loss and/or abdominal pain  
• headache  
• weakness and/or fatigue  
• thirst  
• dry skin  
• sore throat or swallowing problems  
• breathing problems
• ear pain.

Types of thermometers

There are different types of thermometers:

• rectal: This has a short and round bulb at the end. This type of thermometer will be inserted into your child's rectum.
• oral (mouth): This has a long and slim bulb. This type of thermometer will be put under your child’s tongue.
• digital: These can be used many ways.
• tymphonic: This is an ear thermometer.

How to take your child's temperature

• Wash the thermometer in clean, warm, soapy water. Wipe it with rubbing alcohol.
• Shake the thermometer below 96 F, or push the button.
• Be with your child to make sure he or she stays still.
• Don't give your child hot or cold liquids 30 minutes before taking his or her temperature by mouth.
• To get an accurate temperature reading for newborns to 1 year olds, use only a rectal thermometer. Follow the package directions.

There are four ways you can take a temperature. It is important the health care provider knows which way you used.

Rectum

1. Coat the tip of the rectal thermometer with a lubricant (such as KY Jelly®).
2. Gently insert the thermometer into your child's rectum.
3. Do not go farther than one inch.
4. Hold the thermometer in place for two to three minutes or until a digital thermometer beeps (usually 10 seconds).

A normal rectal temperature is 99.6 F or 37.6 C.

Armpit (axillary)

You may use a digital thermometer.

1. Make sure your child's armpit is dry.
2. Put the bulb under your child’s arm, which should be snug against his or her body.
3. Make sure the thermometer stays in place for three to four minutes or until a digital thermometer beeps (usually 10 seconds).

A normal axillary temperature is 97.6 F or 36.4 C.

Mouth (oral)

Do not use the oral method unless your child understands that he must not bite the thermometer.

You may use a glass or digital thermometer.

1. Put the bulb end of the thermometer under your child's tongue.
2. Tell your child to close his or her mouth but not to bite the thermometer.
3. Keep it in place for two minutes or until a digital thermometer beeps (usually 10 seconds).

A normal oral temperature is 98.6 F or 37 C.

Ear

This is not to be used on an infant, younger than 6 months old.

Follow the ear probe package directions carefully.

When you should call your health care provider

Call your health care provider for an appointment if:

• your child is younger than 2 months old and has a temperature of at least 100.4 F by rectum
• your child is 2 to 3 months old and has a temperature of more than 101 F by rectum and has signs of illness
• your child has a temperature higher than 104 F by rectum
• your child's fever does not go down within 24 hours
• you gave your child acetaminophen but the fever and signs of illness last for three days
• your child breaks out in a rash  
• your child vomits.

Any time you think your child is ill and you are not comfortable with the way he looks or behaves, call your health care provider for an appointment. He or she should examine your child as soon as possible, especially if your child has a fever and is unusually irritable, appears ill, has a stiff neck or has problems breathing.