Few things are as worrying to parents as discovering their son or daughter has a high fever. Fortunately, fevers in children usually pass quickly and are rarely the sign of anything more serious. If your child has a recurring high fever, several factors from infection to overdressing may be to blame.
Infection
Temperature in the human body is governed by the hypothalamus, a part of your brain. When an infection enters your body, the hypothalamus causes your temperature to rise in an effort to drive the infection out. If your child's temperature is lower than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, medication is usually unnecessary, except to alleviate discomfort. However, if your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and is running a fever of more than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit, take them to see a pediatrician.
Immunization
Fever in children is often a response to immunization shots. The vaccination for diptheria is particularly likely to cause fever. If fever occurs, the next vaccination should be the combination diptheria-tetanus, or DT, vaccine. Fever as a response to vaccination should not be an excuse to avoid vaccinating your child. Many childhood diseases, such as polio and whooping cough, can have severe lifelong effects. Instead, work with a medical professional to develop a vaccination schedule that will not harm your child's body.
Overdressing
Infants cannot regulate their body temperature as well as older children or adults. They may develop a fever as a response to a hot environment or being bundled in too many clothes. Be cautious about taking your baby on long walks in the summer or on winter walks that require her to be heavily bundled. Even if you suspect your child's fever is due to overdressing, it is better to be on the safe side and take her to a doctor if it persists after a change in her external temperature.
Teething
The teething process can cause slight increases in temperature. However, it is unlikely to cause fevers of greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Your child has a fever if his temperature is at least 100.4 degrees measured rectally, 99.5 degrees measured orally or 99 degrees as measured in his armpit. Rectal thermometers will provide the most reliable measurement, especially in young babies. Teething may be a factor in your child's fever if she is between 3 months and 3 years old, the age range in which teething occurs.
