If your child is healthy, a fever doesn't necessarily indicate a serious problem, according to the Kids Health website. A child's internal thermostat tends to turn up the temperature in response to an infection or illness. This makes the body a less pleasant place for germs and helps to fight them, since infectious agents tend to thrive at the body's normal temperature -- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a high fever can bring on other issues, such as dehydration or even febrile seizures. Relieve your child's high fever with a few easy steps.
Step 1
Call your doctor if your child's fever is higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A child's normal body temperature is between 97 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Step 2
Use lukewarm water to give your child a sponge bath. This can lower your child's temperature and help your child feel more comfortable.
Step 3
Dress your child in lightweight clothing. Use a light sheet to cover your child in bed. Overdressing can cause body temperature to rise.
Step 4
Adjust the temperature in the house so that it's not too hot or too cold, according to Kids Health.
Step 5
Offer liquids frequently. Fevers cause your child to lose more fluids than usual. Offer water, ice pops or soup.
Step 6
Allow your child to eat whenever he feels hungry. It's ok if he doesn't want to eat much, as this is normal when a child is sick with a fever.
Step 7
Talk to your doctor about offering electrolyte drinks designed for children. This is especially important if your child has diarrhea.
Step 8
Discuss with your doctor when to give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It can reduce the fever and help your child feel more comfortable, according to Kids Health.
Tips and Warnings
- Check your child's temperature with a thermometer, as opposed to just feeling her forehead, to make sure she truly has a high fever. A high fever is anything above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Baby Center.
- Don't give your child a cold bath, as this can cause chills and shivering which will make his temperature rise. Don't give your child sports drinks designed for adults.
