Are These Symptoms Serious

Canandaigua Medical Group Fever Management Adrienne Springer, CNP June, 2001 Fever is the body’s normal response to infection. Fever is a symptom, not a disease. Fever activates the body’s immune system. Keeping fever in perspective when your child has an elevated temperature is very important. oThe body’s average temperature when measured orally is 98.6 F, but it normally fluctuates widely during the day. Your child has a fever if: o• The rectal temp. is over 100.4 F. o• The oral temp. is over 99.5 F. oFevers up to 103.5 F are not harmful, and few of those higher result in anything more than o odiscomfort. Fever between 100 - 106 F. will not cause brain damage or death. Fever causes no o opermanent harm until it reaches 107 F. or higher. Fever over 107 F. are usually a result of environmental heat overload or heat stroke (example: over dressing a child with a fever or leaving oa child in a closed car). Fever caused by infection, even if untreated, stays below 107 F. Fever may be catagorize as follows: o o• Low Grades are 100 - 102 F. o o• Moderate is 102 - 104 F. o o• High is 104 - 105 F. Generally, it is recommended that the child’s temperature be taken once a day in the morning until the fever is gone. Feeling cold or shivering means the fever is going up. When the child appears flushed or pink the fever has peaked. The fever generally is coming down when the child is sweating. oThe use of medication is recommended if ...