'Normal temperature' is usually around 37 °C (98.6 °F). However, normal temperature is not the same for every individual. Temperature can vary with age, and even time of day. Usually it is lowest in the morning, highest in the afternoon and somewhat lower at bedtime.

Infections are by far the most common cause of fever in children. Most of these are caused by viruses, which are responsible for colds, upper respiratory infections, and the common infectious diseases of childhood, such as chickenpox. These infections don’t last long and usually don’t need to be treated.

In general, fever is nature’s response to infection, and can actually help the body fight infection.

Some infections are caused by bacteria, and need treatment with antibiotics. These include certain ear and throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. For example, a very sore throat with a fever can be caused by streptococcus. If it isn’t treated with antibiotics, this infection can lead to rheumatic fever or heart damage.

There are other, relatively uncommon, causes of fever. These include allergic reactions to drugs or vaccines, chronic joint inflammation, some tumours and gastrointestinal diseases.

During the course of each day, body temperature goes up and down by a degree or two. It’s usually lowest in the early hours of the morning, and highest in the late afternoon and early evening.

A fever might come on slowly and rise over a few days, or it might rise very quickly. The height of a fever, and how quickly it comes on, usually doesn’t have anything to do with the illness that causes it.

Fever in itself is rarely harmful. But the high temperature might make your child feel uncomfortable – he might have chills or shivering when his temperature is rising, and might sweat when it’s falling. Sometimes he might become mildly dehydrated if he’s losing a lot of fluid from the fever and not replacing it.

Febrile convulsions are seizures that happen because of fever. They occur in about 4% of children between the ages of six months and five years. Children outgrow febrile convulsions by the age of 4-5 years. Febrile convulsions have no long-term consequences, but talk to your doctor about them.

 

Note: Sometimes your child might appear flushed, and her skin might feel warm, but her core (inner body) temperature will be quite normal. This can happen when your child has a cold or has engaged in vigorous physical exercise. It can also happen on a very hot day.

 

The prevailing idea seems to be that high fevers cause brain damage. This is essentially untrue. The truth is that the brain is able to act like a thermostat and keep the temperature from going beyond a safe range; i.e. about 106.2 degrees. The only exceptions are devastating infections of the brain itself, as in bacterial meningitis, most of which are now prevented by immunization. Use a thermometer as a guide for temperature measurement. Usually, the infection is caused by a virus, and antibiotics do not help viral infections. If the infection is bacterial it can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. While waiting for the medication to take effect, the temperature can be brought down by warm water baths; cold water or ice water is not recommended as they can cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, and decrease the body’s ability to get rid of extra heat. Also, cold or chilly water will cause a child to shiver, which will increase the body’s internal heat.

 

Additionally, you should do the following to provide extra comfort:

 

     1. Drink plenty of clear fluid.

 

     2. Dress as lightly as possible.

 

     3. Keep the child cool.

 

     4. NEVER use alcohol

 

•  Additional helpful hints:

 

     1. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is gradually replacing acetaminophen (Tylenol) as the medication of choice because it lasts longer and is anti-inflammatory as well.
 
     2. Aspirin is NOT recommended for children under 18 years of age due to the risk of Reyes syndrome, a liver disorder associated with the use of aspirin and certain viral infections.
 
     3. When in doubt, call your pediatrician or doctor.