Fevers in Newborns
Infants younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4℉ (38℃) and higher could indicate a dangerous infection and is considered an emergency. These infants require immediate medical attention even if they appear well and show no other signs of illness.
Overview: Fevers in Children
When your child is sick and has a fever, it can be a parent’s first instinct to try to immediately treat and bring down the fever as well as call the pediatrician to be seen right away. While this reaction is understandable—we all just want our kids to be healthy and safe—it may not be necessary. Learning the basics of fevers, including what causes them and what to look out for, can lessen parents’ fears and anxieties and help them confidently care for their children when sick.