MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Fever and children

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Fever and children

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names	Information

Illustrations

Temperature measurement

Alternative Names Return to top

Children and fever

Information Return to top

Parents often want to know whether to call a doctor when a child has a fever. In general, get medical help if your child:

Is under 3 months of age
Is weak, tired, or limp
Has trouble breathing
Has a stiff neck
Has purple spots on the skin
Has a seizure
Has a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit if under 6 months of age
Has a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours without other symptoms
Has a fever with painful urination
Seems dehydrated
Is not moving an arm or leg
Is very irritable or confused
Cannot swallow or is drooling a lot

See also: Fever

Update Date: 2/14/2007

Updated by: Leisha M. Andersen, M.D., Private Practice specializing in Pediatrics, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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