Should You Panic When Your Baby Gets a High Fever?

QUESTION: I panic when my baby gets a high fever. Help!
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ANSWER: You are not alone. Fever is one of the most common reasons for a
call or visit to the doctor, and that's the way it should be--even though the
cause of the fever may not be serious, only your physician can determine that.
It may reassure you to realize that the majority of children with fevers
do not have any serious disease, and all you need to do is make the child feel
more comfortable. The only time fever is dangerous, and requires treatment,
is if your child is prone to fever-related seizures. In that case, it helps
to cover the child with only a very light blanket and give him or her plenty
of fluids.
Otherwise, your "fever phobia" may be more of a problem than your child's
fever itself. It may be helpful if you learn to recognize what to look for,
when to worry--or not worry--when you child has a fever, and what to do.
First of all, a fever is defined as a temperature over 100 degrees F
taken orally or 100.5 degrees F rectally. Because the body has its own
temperature-controlling mechanisms, you don't need to provide any treatment
for fevers unless they are over 102 degrees F and your child is uncomfortable.
You can treat the child using medication containing acetaminophen, but avoid
aspirin in babies and young children and safeguard against Reyes Syndrome.
If your baby's temperature goes over 104 degrees F and does not respond
to medication, try sponging with lukewarm water.
Allow your baby to sleep--there's no need to awaken him to take his
temperature or give him medicine. In fact, even if he's awake, you don't need
to keep rechecking his temperature unless he seems very hot or uncomfortable.
It's more important to report your child's signs and symptoms to your
doctor than it is to record his temperature. And bear in mind that the most
important thing is for you to stay calm. Urgency is appropriate only for
temperatures higher than 106 degrees F or for long-lasting convulsions. But
in most cases, your job is simply to comfort your baby until the fever
subsides.