Taking your baby's rectal temperature can seem a little daunting at first if you are a new parent, but the rectal method provides the most reliable and accurate results for very young children, according to the Babycenter website. Taking your...
When your baby or small child is ill, a temperature taken with a rectal thermometer is the most accurate measure of his exact temperature. The younger a child is, the more important it is to be precise, since high fevers can be especially...
While some infants do not seem bothered when they have a fever, others can become quite irritable or upset. A parent can be a tremendous source of comfort during this time. Take measures at home to help your infant feel better, but also learn...
Safety 1st makes numerous baby products, including a wide variety of thermometer types and styles. Most Safety 1st thermometers can be operated in the same manner, even thermometers with special features such as an eight-second temperature read....
Digital thermometers have largely replaced old style mercury-filled glass thermometers and these provide you with a range of options for checking a child's temperature. You will get different readings depending on where you take a child's...
The first time your infant runs a fever, you may feel helpless, scared and out of control. All new parents are afraid for the health of their feverish babies, but in most cases, a fever means your child's immune system is doing its job....
There is not a specific temperature that is considered a fever, but one is typically defined by an oral temperature over 99.5 degrees F (37.5 degrees C), ear and rectal temperatures above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) and axillary temperature...
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver often caused by the hepatitis B virus, as indicated by BabyCenter.com. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood and other bodily fluids, which an infant will be exposed to during birth. An...
Checking your child's temperature to determine whether he has a fever is the first step to find out if your child is either sick or in jeopardy of becoming ill. The definition of what temperature indicates fever depends on the method used to...
Fever is a protector that your body uses against invaders that cause infection, such as bacteria. Fever kills some of the bacteria and signals your body to start its immune system for even more potent protection. As an adult, you can stand a...
As a parent, you hope that your children will always stay healthy; however, at some point you may have to deal with a feverish baby. While this isn't the way you want to see your child, a fever can actually help your child fight off germs that...
Congestion in newborns is typically caused by a viral infection. The primary symptoms of this type of infection are congestion and a runny nose. For babies younger than 3 months of age, MayoClinic.com recommends contacting your pediatrician in the...
If your baby is sick, you'll need to take his temperature to determine whether he has a fever. You cannot use oral thermometers with infants because they are not able to hold the thermometer in their mouths. Taking an oral reading would present a...
A fever is a symptom, but also an immune system response that helps the body fight infections. A low-grade fever up to 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit in an 8-month-old baby typically doesn't require treatment, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Reduce...
Fever in an infant can be worrisome. Parents may be unsure whether to treat their baby's fever or let it subside on its own Treatment for infant fever is dependent on several factors including your child's temperament and exact age. Check with...
Both bacteria and viruses can cause illness and infection. However, bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotic and antibiotics do not kill viruses. Viruses cause all colds and flus, most coughs and most sore throats. Treating these...
Healthy children often develop abnormal body temperatures while fighting off various forms of illness or infection. In most cases, these temperatures are temporary and do not indicate any cause for great concern. However, in some cases, your child...
A fever is an increase in the body’s baseline temperature. The definition of fever varies depending on how the temperature is checked. In general, a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher or an oral temperature of 99.5 F are considered...
Cold and flu are the common names for overlapping syndromes of respiratory infection caused by a number of viruses. According to FamilyDoctor, the two are mainly differentiated by onset and severity: Flu symptoms usually onset abruptly and are...
A fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection. As the white blood cells attack the offending illness, your child's body temperature increases, sometimes to upsetting levels. Take your child's temperature and ensure that the...
While there are many ways to take an adult's temperature, only a few methods are appropriate for infants. If your infant is younger than 3 months old, you should use the rectal method because it is the most accurate. You can use a digital...
Fever is the body's defense against an intruder, such as a virus or bacteria, and plays an important role in fighting off infection. Although you may think a normal temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, that number may vary a degree or two for...
When your body temperature rises above its usual 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees Celsius), you have a fever. A part of your brain called the hypothalamus regulates your body temperature. Sometimes your hypothalamus raises your body...
Viral illnesses, overdressing, teething, immunizations and other medical disorders can result in a child's fever. The body raises the internal temperature as a way to fight off infections. Most fevers can be treated at home without medical...
Every time you visit your pediatrician's office, you will notice that your child's temperature is taken. This is because body temperature changes can be the warning sign for a range of illnesses, some of which can be severe. A normal temperature...
Nine out of 10 late-night phone calls to physicians come from parents worrying about their baby suffering from a high fever, according to Cincinnati Children’s. Doctors consider fever anything above the body’s normal oral temperature...
A fever is the most common reason why parents contact their child's pediatrician, according to Senders Pediatrics. If your baby develops an elevated temperature, it's natural to want to do whatever you can to help her feel better. By choosing the...
When your infant's skin feels hot to the touch, something is wrong. Unlike older children, you can't ask a baby to hold a thermometer under his tongue for 20 seconds and then describe in words he feels. You can still take his temperature, access...