Fever
in Babies
Welcoming a new baby into your home can be an exciting
but nerve-wracking time. The nerves are understandable, considering that
newborns don't come with instruction manuals. And when they get sick, it can
induce even more anxiety.
A fever in babies can be one of the scariest symptoms for
parents, especially when that fever is high or the baby is only a few weeks
old.
In this article, you'll learn what causes infant fevers and
what to do when your baby gets a fever.
What Causes Infant Fevers?
A fever isn't an illness -- it's a symptom of one. A fever
usually indicates that the body is fighting an illness. If your baby has
a fever, in most instances it means he has picked up a cold or other viral
infection. Although they are less common in infants, pneumonia, urinary tract
infection, ear infection, or a more serious bacterial infection, meningitis,
may be causing a fever.
Other causes of fever in babies include:
·
Reaction to a
vaccination
·
Becoming overheated
from being dressed too warmly or spending too much time outside on a hot day
Fever in Babies: What Are the Signs?
One common sign of fever in babies is a warm forehead,
although not having a warm forehead doesn't mean that your baby doesn't have a
fever. Your baby may also be crankier and fussier than usual.
Other symptoms associated with fever in babies include:
·
Poor sleeping
·
Poor eating
·
Lack of interest in
play
·
Less active or even
lethargic
·
Convulsions or
seizures
How Do I Take My Baby's Temperature?
You can take a child's temperature a few different ways,
such as via the rectum (rectally), mouth (orally), ear, under the arm
(axillary), or at the temples. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
recommends only using digital thermometers in children. Mercury thermometers
should not be used because they pose a risk of mercury exposure and poisoning
if they break.
Rectal thermometers provide the most accurate temperature
readings, and can be easiest to take in an infant. Typically, babies can't hold
an oral thermometer in place, and the reading of an ear, temporal, or underarm
thermometer are not as accurate.
To take a rectal temperature, first make sure the
thermometer is clean. Wash it with soap and water or wipe it off with rubbing
alcohol. Lay your baby on the belly or on the back with legs bent toward the
chest. Apply a little bit of petroleum jelly around the thermometer bulb and
gently insert it about 1 inch into the rectal opening. Hold the digital
thermometer in place for about two minutes until you hear the "beep."
Then gently remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
At What Temperature Does My Baby Have a
Fever?
A baby's normal temperature can range from about 97 degrees
Fahrenheit up to 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Most doctors consider a rectal
temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher as a fever.
When to Call Your Doctor
According to the AAP, call your doctor if your baby:
·
Is under age 3 months
and has a fever; if your baby is between ages 1 and 2 months and has a fever,
it is considered an emergency. Seek immediate medical care.
·
Is lethargic and not
responsive
·
Has problems
breathing or eating
·
Has a rash
·
Shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears with
crying, or sunken soft spot on the head
·
Has a seizure
It can be difficult for doctors to tell whether a newborn
has a simple virus (like a cold), or a more serious infection (like UTI, pneumonia or meningitis). That's why doctors will sometimes
order special tests (such as blood or urine tests, and/or a chest X-ray and
spinal tap) to pinpoint the exact cause of an infant fever, and to look for
more serious infections in young babies.
What Should I Do If My Baby Has a Fever?
If your baby is under age 1 month and has a fever, contact
your child's health care provider right away. For older babies, try these tips:
·
Bathe your child with
lukewarm water -- always check the temperature of the water on your wrist
before washing your baby.
·
Dress your baby in a
light layer of clothes.
·
Give your baby enough
fluids to avoid dehydration. Those fluids should be breast milk, formula, an
electrolyte solution, or water, depending on the baby’s age. Contact your
baby's health care provider for guidelines. A dehydrated baby may have fewer
wet diapers, no tears with crying, or a dry mouth.
·
If your doctor says
it is OK, you can give your baby children's Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil or
Motrin). Never give babies aspirin for a fever because of the risk for a rare but
potentially dangerous condition called Reye's syndrome. Also, do not give a
baby under age 6 months Advil, Motrin, or other medicines that contain
ibuprofen. Be sure to ask your doctor about the dosage and read the package
instructions before giving your baby a fever-reducing medicine.
If you are concerned about your baby's fever, call your
health care provider for advice and reassurance.
