Updates

Fevers in Kids: Top 5 Fever Myths and Facts

Wellness

Fevers in kids: Top 5 fever myths and facts

For many parents, a fever is one of the most concerning and alarming symptoms a child can have. Many fever myths sound scary — and it’s time to set the record straight! To many pediatricians, fever is considered a good sign that the body is mounting a response to an infection. You’ll want to know when a fever is too high for your child and be informed about fevers, so you can provide the best care possible for your child.

Myths about fevers in children lead to unnecessary worry or incorrect treatment. For example, one common myth is that a high fever always indicates a serious illness. In reality, a fever is the body’s natural response to infection and often helps fight off viruses. Some parents believe that a fever must always be treated with medication, but low-grade fevers don’t always need treatment unless your child is uncomfortable. Knowing the facts about fevers can help you manage your child’s health more confidently.

Fever myth 1: A temperature ranging from 98.7°F to 100°F (37.1°C to 37.8°C) is considered a low-grade fever

Fact: These temperatures are normal variations and not fevers. The body’s temperature changes throughout the day and is naturally higher in the afternoon and evening. An actual fever in children is any temperature of 100.4°F or higher.

What’s too high?

  • For infants under 3 months old, a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires immediate medical attention.
  • For babies 3 to 6 months old, a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher warrants medical advice.
  • For a child over 6 months old, seek medical advice at 103°F or higher.

Learn more about what a fever is and its causes.

Fever myth 2: Fevers can cause brain damage or seizures and are dangerous to my child

Fact: Fevers are a protective mechanism and a sign that the body’s immune system is activated and working. Most fevers are good for sick children and help the body fight infection. Fevers do not cause brain damage. As for seizures, most children (96%) don’t have seizures with a fever.

Rarely, about 4% of children can experience a febrile seizure (a seizure due to a fever). Febrile seizures can be scary to watch, but they usually stop within 5 minutes. They don’t cause brain damage or have long-term side effects, and they don’t mean your child has epilepsy. Children who have had febrile seizures aren’t at greater risk for developmental delays or learning disabilities.

Only extremely high fevers — over 107.6°F (42°C) — can affect the brain. It’s rare for even an untreated fever to reach over 105°F (40.6°C) unless a child is overdressed or in a hot place.

Fever myth 3: All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen). After treatment, the fever should go away completely

Fact: Fevers need to be treated only if the child is uncomfortable. For young children, that usually means fevers over 102°F or 103°F (39°C or 39.4°C). With treatment, fevers usually come down 2°F or 3°F (1.1°C or 1.7°C) but may not go away completely. You won’t harm your child by not treating a fever. Learn more about how to treat fevers in children.

While a fever could go away after a day, it’s not uncommon or cause for concern if a fever lasts 2 to 3 days in children. If your child’s fever lasts longer than 5 days or doesn’t come down at all after using fever-reducing medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, talk with your child’s pediatrician.

Make an appointment

Find a Texas Children’s Pediatrics location near you. Existing patients with MyChart accounts con also schedule an appointment online.

Fever myth 4: The exact temperature of my child’s fever is very important. A high fever means the cause is serious

Fact: How your child looks and feels is what’s important, not the exact temperature. If the fever is high, the cause may or may not be serious. If your child looks well, the cause is likely to be less serious.

One exception is in babies who are less than 3 months old and have a fever or high temperature. Babies should always be seen by a health care provider right away if they have a fever because their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. If it’s the weekend and your baby spikes a fever, it’s best to call your doctor’s office and take them to an urgent care.

A fever with no other symptoms in a child is most likely to be the body’s natural way to fight against an infection. If you notice a fever in your child, be sure to watch for other symptoms, such as a rash, difficulty breathing or unusual behavior, which could indicate the need for medical care.

Fever myth 5: If the fever doesn’t come down (if you can't “break the fever”), a child is seriously ill

Fact: Whether a fever comes down or not isn’t related to the seriousness of the infection. The height of the fever and how long it lasts does not tell us whether it’s caused by a virus or bacteria. What matters most is how your child looks and any other symptoms he or she has.

The best way to break a fever is simply by resting at home (sleeping with a fever isn’t dangerous — rest helps the healing process!), staying hydrated and using acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child is uncomfortable.

There’s no evidence that “sweating” a fever (bundling up, raising the heat or any other ways to induce sweating) will help relieve a fever faster. Doing so will only add to your child’s discomfort.

Fevers in children: When to go to the hospital

Seek emergency care if your child has a fever and any of these symptoms:

  • Altered speech
  • Blue lips, tongue or nails
  • Continuous crying
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Decreased urination
  • Dehydration
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty waking or extreme sleepiness
  • Excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing
  • Extreme sluggishness or drowsiness
  • Fever rash
  • Lack of appetite
  • Pain or tenderness in their abdomen
  • Redness or swelling
  • Stiff neck
  • Strange behavior