Fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. When your infant or toddler is battling a fever, he may exhibit other symptoms including weakness, lethargy, sweating, dehydration, or chills. To determine if your child has a fever, you will need to take his temperature, and if necessary, contact his pediatrician.
Weakness and Lethargy
A fever can cause the body to become exhausted, leaving your little one weak, tired and possibly lethargic. While lethargy is not an unusual symptom associated with fever, be sure to contact your child's pediatrician if he are significantly less active than usual. In children less than 2 years of age, lethargy can be a symptom of meningitis, which is a serious infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Sweating and Dehydration
Sweating is a normal side effect of fever, as it is the body's way of releasing excess heat. Dehydration can occur quickly in a child with a fever due to the fact that the higher body temperature causes the body to lose more water. Offer your toddler plenty of liquids. Ice pops or flavored gelatin are both good toddler-friendly sources of liquid. Dehydration, even short-term, can lead to serious health complications and as such, it is extremely important to monitor your child's liquid intake and contact her pediatrician if you feel she is becoming dehydrated.
Chills or Shivering
Chills are caused by rapid contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles, and are usually a common symptom associated with fever. The body actually promotes shivering as a method to encourage heat production to increase the fever to further fight infection. If your little one is experiencing chills, put an extra blanket on him until the chills stop. Chills can sometimes signal more serious conditions, so it is important to have your infant or toddler checked out by his pediatrician if he is experiencing fever and chills.
Measuring Body Temperature
The only way to determine your child's exact temperature is to measure it using a digital thermometer. For babies, the best way to measure temperature is rectally, which is done by inserting a thermometer about 1/2 inch into the rectum. Temperatures can also be taken by mouth, under the armpit, or in the ear. For babies less than 3 months of age, a temperature reading over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit requires medical care. For babies ages 3 to 6 months, call your doctor if a fever exceeds 101 degrees Fahrenheit. For babies and toddlers age 6 months and older, be sure to seek medical care right away if your child's temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
