What is considered to be too high of a fever in a child?

Question

My son and 4 of his cousins have some sort of infection. Their fevers range from 99.1-104.5. They are on antibiotics but the fevers just won't break. Their ages range between 10 months and 6 years.

Answer 1

I know that a fever can be scary especially in a Young child. A fever is there to fight off any infection that person may have. Where are you taking the temp? Oral, Rectal (which is the most accurate), axillary, or in the ear. The ranges on these vary. If the child is acting normal there usually isn't a serious infection ex: playing, eating an drinking, normal color, and the child is alert.
If the child starts acting different that normal I would call the doctor. If the child refuses liquids, becomes lethargic or has a specific complaint I would contact the doctor or go to your local ED. A child under 3 months you should call the doctor w/ a temp of 100 an above...an older child w/ a temp above 104 you should call your Doctor.....Hope this helps an good luck hope they get to feeling better

Answer 2

Hi, my son who is 21 months old, has been sick for a while and at first i brought him to the hospital because if the same issue, fever's at different ranges that just wouldn't break...The doctor said sometimes fevers are the body's way of fighting the infection, if it gets real bad make the judgement call, but try to let the antibiotics work.....I hope they feel better...be blessed

Answer 3

104.5 is high but not deadly, as long as the fever continues to break with motrin or tylenol they should be fine. If it starts to reach 105 I would watch very closely for other symtoms, like elevated heart rate. I have a 4 y/o daughter who has had recurring fevers for 12 months straight, like clockwork, they come every other Sunday, her doctor started calling it the "Sunday Fever" I ran her to the emergency room every other weekend because her fevers would reach as high as 105.7 which is close to deadly for a child of her age / size. Are the fevers breaking at all with tylenol or Advil? Have you been alternating Tylenol with the Advil or Motrin?

Answer 4

A fever is by definition anything 100.4 or above. In the newborn period, any fever is worth a quick trip to the hospital right away. In older children who have been screened for serious illnesses, fever is a part of the illness, and is not in and of itself dangerous, no matter the degree. If any of them looks like he's not acting like a normal kid with a normal illness, though, especially in those under age 3, the doctor would rather do an unneeded re-exam than miss a complication like meningitis.

Answer 5

It sounds like you need to go back to the docs office depending on how long ago they were started on the antibiotic. At 104.5 it is time to head to the emergency room if ibuprofen or tylenol and a cool bath doesn't bring it down.

Answer 6

Have u seen a doctor as yet??

If yes, have u been giving the paracetamol (or medicine for fever) every 6 hrs???

Answer 7

give them fluids, a tepid bath and call the doctor. Ask if tylenol would be appropriate and how much.

Answer 8

anything over 100 degrees