(801) 442-2000
36 S. State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111Map

KidsCare Online

Care at Home
  1. Reassurance: Presence of a fever means your child has an infection, usally caused by a virus. Most fevers are good for children and help the body fight infection.
    Use the following definitions to help put your child's level of fever into perspective:
    • 100-102°F (37.8 - 39°C) Low grade fevers: Beneficial desirable range.
    • 102-104°F (39 - 40°C) Mild fever: Still beneficial.
    • Above 104°F (40°C) Moderate fever: Causes discomfort, but harmless.
    • Above 105°F (40.6°C) High fever: Higher risk of bacterial infections.
    • Above 106°F (41.1°C) Very high fever: important to bring it down.
    • Above 108°F (42.3°C) Dangerous fever: Fever itself can harm the brain.
  2. Treatment for All Fevers: Extra Fluids & Less Clothing
    • Give cold fluids orally in unlimited amounts (Reason: good hydration replaces sweat and improves heat loss via skin).
    • Dress in 1 layer of light weight clothing and sleep with 1 light blanket (avoid bundling). Caution: overheated infants can't undress themselves.
    • For fevers 100-102°F (37.8 - 39°C), this is the only treatment needed (fever medicines are unnecessary).
  3. Fever Medicine:
    • Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) for fevers above 102°F (39°C), if your child is uncomfortable.
    • Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
    • Avoid aspirin.(Reason: risk of Reye's syndome, a rare but serious brain disease).
    • Avoid alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen.(Reason: unneccessary and risk of overdosage).
    • The goal of fever therapy is to bring the temperature down to a comfortable level.
    • Remember, the fever medicine usually lowers the fever by 2 to 3°F (1-1.5°C).
    • See dosage charts.
  4. Sponging:
    • Note: Sponging is optional for high fevers, not required.
    • May sponge when (1) a fever is above 104° F (40.0°) AND (2)the fever does not come down when fever medication is used (always give fever medication first) AND (3)the fever is causing discomfort.
    • How to sponge: Use lukewarm water: 85-90°F, or 29.4° - 32.2°C temperatures. (Do not use rubbing alcohol.) Sponge for 20-30 minutes.
    • If your child shivers or becomes cold, stop sponging or increase the water temperature.
  5. Contagiousness: Your child can return to day care or school after the fever is gone and your child feels well enough to participate in normal activities.
  6. Expected Course of Fever: Most fevers associated with viral illnesses fluctuate between 101° and 104°F (38.4° and 40°C) and last for 2 or 3 days.
  7. IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


Logo Intermountain Healthcare Home

© 2007 Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah. All Rights Reserved.