Fever is a sign that your child's body is attempting to fight off a bacterial or viral infection. Low fevers in children, those that remain below 102 degrees when taken rectally, do not require treatment unless your child is achy and irritable. Higher fevers caused by a viral illness usually respond to home care. Fevers caused by bacterial infections require treatment with antibiotics in addition to home care.
Step 1
Give your child extra fluids to prevent dehydration, promote heat loss through the skin and speed recovery. Encourage your child to drink cool water, fruit juice and other fluids as often as possible. Avoid caffeinated beverages.
Step 2
Dress your child in one layer of clothing indoors. Bundling children or covering them with blankets contributes to fever by increasing body temperature.
Step 3
Administer an over-the-counter fever-reducer if your child's temperature rises above 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Do not give aspirin to children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal illness associated with aspirin use.
Step 4
Allow your child to rest and sleep as much as he wants. Getting plenty of rest ensures your child's body is in good condition to fight off infections.
Step 5
Cool your child by sponge-bathing him with lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes if his fever rises above 104 degrees. If your child feels well enough, he may enjoy sitting in a couple inches of lukewarm water and playing with bath toys while you sponge him.
Step 6
Call your child's pediatrician if his fever persists longer than 72 hours, if a fever of 102 degrees or higher does not respond to home care or if your child is under 3-months-old.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter fever reducer
