Fever in Kids: 5 Things to Know About Children With Fevers

Key takeaways:

Fever is the body’s natural response to infection and it isn’t always a bad thing.
When treating a fever, focus on your child’s comfort instead of trying to bring their body temperature back to a normal range.
Seek immediate medical care if your child has a fever and develops confusion, extreme sleepiness, or neck pain.

Fever is a common symptom in sick kids. It’s one of the main reasons caregivers seek medical care for kids.

Fever can be scary, even when it’s caused by a mild illness. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what to know if your child has a fever.

What’s a normal body temperature for kids?

The average body temperature is considered to be 98.6°F. But a normal temperature can vary between 97.5°F to 99.5°F.

Normal body temperature can vary throughout the day. You can expect lower temperatures in the morning and higher temperatures later in the day. Other factors can also affect temperature, including:

Clothing
Activity level
Meals

What is considered a fever in kids?

A fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature. Most experts agree that a true fever is 100.4°F or higher.

Temperatures from 99.6°F to 100.3°F are considered a low-grade fever. If your child is otherwise well, you don’t need to worry about these temperatures. But if your child is starting to feel sick, these temperatures may be a sign of an oncoming illness.

High-grade fevers are temperatures of 102°F or higher. A higher fever doesn’t always mean the illness is more severe. But temperatures this high mean that your child is fighting off an illness.

What causes fever in children?

Viral and bacterial infections are the most common cause of fever in kids. These can include:

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Your child can also have fever after receiving vaccines. Up to 50% of infants can develop a fever within 1 to 2 days after receiving vaccines.

While teething can slightly raise body temperature, it isn’t believed to cause a true fever.

Some medical conditions can also cause a fever. But kids with these conditions usually have other symptoms too.

What are the symptoms of fever in kids?

Every child reacts differently to a fever, and symptoms can vary. Some children may feel fine even with a fever. But others may complain of additional symptoms like sore throat, cough, or stomach upset. These additional symptoms usually offer clues about what’s causing their fever.

Children may also show these symptoms when they have a fever:

Lower appetite
Warm or flushed skin
Crankiness or irritability
Decreased activity
Less interest in play
Fatigue

If you think your child has a fever, there are five things you should know.

1. The best way to take a temperature depends on the age of your child

Although you can check if your child feels warm, the best way to know if they have a fever is to take their temperature with a digital thermometer. Mercury thermometers are no longer recommended because they can break and release toxic liquid and fumes.

You can measure your child’s body temperature in multiple places, but some are more accurate than others. Here’s where to take your child’s temperature based on their age:

Rectum (infants under 3 months)
Ear (children 6 months and older)
Mouth (children 4 years or older)
Armpit (any age)
Forehead (any age)

2. Fevers can be helpful

It’s important to know that a fever can be helpful. It’s your body’s natural response to infection. By itself, a fever isn’t dangerous — it’s a sign that your immune system is working. Fevers help to slow the growth of bacteria and viruses that can cause infection. And they can also improve the function of your immune system.

Most of the time, it’s more important to find the cause of the fever rather than focus only on the fever itself.

3. Fevers can cause seizures

Your child could have a seizure with fever. Febrile seizures are most often seen with fevers greater than 101°F. But they can happen at lower body temperatures, too. Kids between 6 months and 5 years of age are most likely to have febrile seizures.

Lowering a fever won’t stop febrile seizures from happening again. You should seek immediate medical care if your child has a febrile seizure. Most febrile seizures don’t cause long-term injuries or illness. But it’s important to have your child evaluated to make sure they really had a febrile seizure. Some serious infections can cause both fever and seizures. Your child’s medical team can make sure they only experienced a febrile seizure.

4. Not all fevers need to be treated

You don’t always need to treat your child’s fever. It’s OK to just keep an eye on your child if they are comfortable and are eating, drinking, and behaving normally.

If your child is uncomfortable with fever, then it’s OK to treat the fever. The goal is to limit any discomfort so that your child can keep eating and drinking. This helps them avoid dehydration, which is important for recovery.

But if your child has an underlying medical condition or illness, you may want to treat their fever. Reducing the fever can help lower the added stress it may put on their body. Contact your child’s healthcare team if they have an underlying medical condition. Their team can help you decide the best way to treat their fever.

5. You can treat a fever without medicine

There are several ways to make your child more comfortable when they have a fever. These include:

Cool compresses
Sponging
Keeping the room cool
Encouraging your child to drink fluids
Wearing light clothing
Preventing overexertion

When using a sponge bath or cool compress, make sure the water is warm. Cool or cold water can cause shivering, which may actually raise body temperature.

Avoid bathing with rubbing alcohol. Absorbing it through the skin or inhaling the vapors can be harmful.

What’s the best medication to give my child for fever?

If you choose to treat your child’s fever, you can use over-the-counter (OTC) fever reducers. Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are good choices. While both are considered effective, there are important differences between the two.

Acetaminophen is usually given every 4 to 6 hours, while ibuprofen is safe to give every 6 to 8 hours. In many cases, they can be used together with staggered dosing. Although both medications are safe, there are risks if the wrong dose is given. Make sure to check all dosing instructions. Contact your child’s medical team if you’re not sure how much to give. They can help you choose the right dose based on your child’s weight.

Don’t give your child aspirin if they have a fever. Aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome. This is a rare, but serious condition that can cause severe brain swelling and liver damage.

When should my child be seen for a fever?

When your child has a fever, it’s important to watch for any signs or symptoms of serious illness. You need to get medical help immediately if your child has any of the following:

A fever of 100.4°F or higher if they’re less than 2 months old
A fever higher than 104°F at any age
Drowsy, confused, or difficult to wake
Looks sick
Stiff neck, headache, or rash
Weakened immune system
Seizures
Signs of dehydration (like crying with no tears, less urine, and sunken eyes)
Fever that isn’t improving

Frequently asked questions

A low-grade fever is a temperature of 99.1°F to 100.3°F. It may be a sign that your child is getting sick or has a mild illness. Body temperatures may also rise to these levels for other reasons, like heat exposure or exercise.

Yes, a fever will cause a child’s heart rate to go up. Your child’s heart rate should come back down if their fever comes down. You should seek care if your child has a high heart rate, fever, and any other symptoms.

The bottom line

It’s quite common for children to have fever when they’re sick. Although it can be alarming, fever is natural and can actually be helpful. Keep in mind that not all fevers need to be treated — especially if your child is acting normally. If you decide to treat a fever, the goal is to keep your little one comfortable. Make sure to keep checking for any signs or symptoms that may be concerning for a serious illness. And talk with their healthcare team right away with any concerns you may have.

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Written by:

Tamara Johnson, MD

Tamara Johnson, MD is a board-certified pediatrician. She completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University and received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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