A normal temperature in a child is approximately 98.6, but it may vary by a degree or more. Usually your child's temperature will be slightly lower in the morning and slightly higher in the afternoon. A temperature above 100.5 indicates a fever. Sometimes, a rapid heart rate will accompany a fever, which may indicate a mild or serious condition. A normal resting heart rate in a child is dependent on her age; babies have higher heart rates than older children. A newborn's heart rate may be as high as 190 beats per minute, while a child over the age of 10 usually has a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If you are worried about your child's heart rate, call her pediatrician for advice.
Mild Infections
A child with a fever and a fast heart rate may have a mild infection. The fever, which can speed up his heart rate, is his body's way of fighting off the infection. Examples of mild infections that might cause a fever include ear infections, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections or stomach viruses. If your child is drinking fluids and is interested in playing, chances are good that his infection is mild. Any fever in young babies should be reported to your pediatrician. For older children, a fever over 102 degrees may indicate the need for a medical evaluation.
Serious Illness
If your child's fever is over 103 and his heart rate is fast, he may have a serious illness causing his symptoms. Pneumonia, which is an infection in one or both lungs, can cause chills, fever and a rapid pulse. Other symptoms include chest pain, coughing, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath and rapid breathing. Meningitis can also cause a high fever and a rapid heart rate, along with a stiff neck, headache, rash and sensitivity to light. If your child has a high fever coupled with troublesome symptoms, take her to the doctor promptly.
Vaccinations
Some vaccinations that your baby or child receives may cause a fever, which might be accompanied by a rapid pulse. Most of the time, reactions to vaccines are mild and go away within a few days on their own. Ask your child's doctor whether you should give him acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce a vaccine-related fever and to relieve any tenderness or discomfort from the vaccine. If your child experiences a high fever, shrill or uncontrollable crying, seizures or signs of an allergic reaction after receiving an immunization, contact his doctor right away.
Before Calling the Doctor
Before you call the doctor about your child's fever and fast heart rate, take her temperature and pulse. Let your doctor know whether you have taken her temperature under her arm, orally or rectally. To take your child's heart rate, use your index and middle fingers to locate her pulse on her inner wrist, below the fleshy part of her palm under her thumb. If you can't find a pulse, find her heartbeat by placing your hand on her chest, slightly to the left of her breastbone. Using a clock with a second hand or a stopwatch, count the number of beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
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