What Is Considered A Fever For A Newborn

Is 991 A Fever For A 1 Month Old

What is the ideal fever temperature of my baby to visit the doctor?- Dr. Jyothi Raghuram

With babies and children older than 6 months, you may need to call if the temperature is greater than 103, but more than likely, associated symptoms will prompt a call. A rectal temperature between 99 and 100 degrees is a low-grade fever, and usually does not need a doctors care.

How To Take A Baby’s Temperature

Fever should be measured always with a thermometer. We should not rely on our touch, as placing a hand on the child’s forehead does not guarantee that we are aware of whether the child has a fever or not and can lead to mistakes. It is an unreliable and imprecise measure and should therefore be avoided.

There are a wide variety of thermometers on the market for use with babies, including:

  • Digital thermometer. They read quickly and accurately. It is the most used today and the most recommended.
  • Ear thermometer. It does not measure so accurately if the child is very young .
  • Pacifier shaped thermometer. They look like a pacifier, but with a digital display in the middle that keeps track of the temperature. They are not very trustworthy.
  • Plastic strip thermometers. It is a device placed on the forehead and is not very reliable.
  • Mercury thermometer. Its sale is currently prohibited due to the danger posed by mercury. But it is definitely still found in some homes, as it was traditionally used for years and is a reliable method, but it should be avoided.

Where in the body is it best to take a baby’s temperature? This will depend mainly on your age, as it is not the same that you barely move, that you do not stop moving:

What Is A Normal Temperature

The following chart will tell you if your child has a fever. The normal temperature range varies and depends on the way you took your childs temperature.

Method
36.5°C to 37.5°C
Ear 35.8°C to 38°C

The degree of a fever does not tell you how serious your childs illness ishow your child is acting is usually a better sign. A child with a mild infection can have a high fever, while a child with a severe infection might have no fever at all.

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Is 1008 A Fever For A 4 Month Old

What is considered a fever for a baby? Though your fever alarm might go off as soon as your little ones temperature hits 98.7 degrees Fahrenheit, from a pediatricians perspective, a child has a fever if a rectal reading is 100.4 degrees F or higher, or if an oral reading is 99 degrees F or higher.

Urgent Advice: Call 111 Or Your Gp Surgery Now If Your Child:

If your babys body temperature is consistently above the ...
  • is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
  • is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
  • has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature
  • has a high temperature that’s lasted for 5 days or more
  • does not want to eat, or is not their usual self and you’re worried
  • has a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol
  • is dehydrated such as nappies that are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they’re crying

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What Causes Fever In Children

The most common cause of a fever in a child is a viral infection. A bacterial infection is a less common but more serious cause.

The body’s natural reaction to infection with a virus or bacteria is to raise the temperature inside the body. This helps to kill the infection.

Other causes of high body temperature include:

  • immunisation – this usually causes only mild fever
  • wrapping a baby in too many warm layers of clothing, or bedding

What Should I Do If My Baby Has A High Temperature

You can usually look after your baby or child at home when they have a high temperature. Make sure you give them plenty of drinks, to avoid dehydration. If you’re breastfeeding, offer your baby plenty of feeds.

Always contact a GP or call 111 if:

  • your child has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature
  • your baby’s temperature is 38C or higher if they’re under 3 months old
  • your baby’s temperature is 39C or higher if they’re 3 to 6 months old

If you need to speak to someone outside normal surgery hours, you can call your GP surgery’s out-of-hours service or NHS 111.

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When Is A Fever A Sign Of Something Serious

In healthy kids, not all fevers need to be treated. High fever, though, can make a child uncomfortable and make problems worse.

Doctors decide on whether to treat a fever by considering both the temperature and a child’s overall condition.

Kids whose temperatures are lower than 102°F often don’t need medicine unless they’re uncomfortable. There’s one important exception: If an infant 3 months or younger has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher, call your doctor or go to the emergency department immediately. Even a slight fever can be a sign of a potentially serious infection in very young babies.

If your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a fever of 102.2°F or higher, call to see if your doctor needs to see your child. For older kids, take behavior and activity level into account. Watching how your child behaves will give you a pretty good idea of whether a minor illness is the cause or if your child should be seen by a doctor.

The illness is probably not serious if your child:

  • is still interested in playing
  • is eating and drinking well
  • is alert and smiling at you
  • has a normal skin color
  • looks well when his or her temperature comes down

And don’t worry too much about a child with a fever who doesn’t want to eat. This is very common with infections that cause fever. For kids who still drink and urinate normally, not eating as much as usual is OK.

Can You Check A Babys Temperature Under The Armpit

How to Cure the Fever in an Infant Baby

The armpit method is usually used to check for fever in newborns and young children, but its not as accurate as a rectal temperature. If an axillary temperature does not show a fever but your child feels warm and seems unwell, take a rectal measurement. Use a rectal or oral thermometer.

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Fever In Babies Under Three Months

Young babies get fevers just like older children, but theyre not as good at fighting off infections. If your baby is under three months old and has a fever, take them to a doctor immediately.

If your baby feels colder than normal that’s a worrying sign and means you should see your doctor urgently.

What Can I Do If My Child Has A Fever

Keep your child comfortable, and offer plenty of fluids.

If your baby has a fever, remove extra blankets and clothing so heat can leave their body and help lower the body temperature. But dont take off all your childs clothes, because they may become too cold and start shivering, which makes more body heat and will cause their temperature to rise again.

Sponging your child with lukewarm water, alcohol baths and rubs is not recommended.

Medication is not always needed to reduce a childs temperature. In fact, the best reason for giving your child medicine is not to reduce the fever, but to relieve any aches and pains.

Acetaminophen is a suitable medication for a fever. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you can give the dose recommended on the package every 4 hours until your childs temperature comes down. The temperature usually comes down in 1 hour and then rises again. If this happens, the medication may have to be repeated at the recommended time. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.

Alternatively, you can give your child ibuprofen, which is found in products such as Advil and Motrin. Be sure to follow the directions on the package. Ibuprofen can be given every 6 to 8 hours up to 4 times in a 24-hour period. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

  • Ibuprofen should only be given if your child is drinking reasonably well.
  • Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months without first talking to your doctor.

Contact your health care provider if your child:

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Is This Your Child’s Symptom

  • An abnormal high body temperature
  • Fever is the only symptom. Your child has a true fever if:
  • Rectal , Ear or Forehead temperature: 100.4° F or higher
  • Under the arm temperature: 99° F or higher
  • Caution: Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age
  • Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate.

When To Visit A Doctor

Baby fever guide in Celcius and Fahrenheit

Usually kids will recover from a fever quickly without problems, but sometimes a fever can be a sign of a more serious illness or infection.

  • is unusually sleepy or irritable
  • is not responding to you as normal
  • has difficulty with their breathing, has noisy breathing or is breathing fast
  • has a different cry or is crying more
  • refuses to drink or is drinking less than normal
  • has fewer wet nappies or is passing less wee than normal

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How To Take Your Babys Temperature Under Their Arm

Taking your babys temperature under their arm is very simple. Just know that this type of reading is less accurate, and can be affected by the amount of clothing your baby is wearing and the temperature in the room.

Using a digital thermometer to measure armpit temperature

  • Remove babys clothes so their chest is bare.
  • Place the digital thermometer in one of their armpits.
  • Fold their arm over the thermometer.
  • Turn on the thermometer.
  • Hold their arm in place until the thermometer beeps, which usually happens in less than two minutes.
  • Remove the thermometer.
  • Make note of the temperature, adding one degree to the reading.
  • If Your Baby Is Less Than 3 Months Old

    Whats considered a fever in a newborn? While a fever is a fever, regardless of age, doctors want to see younger babies with fevers sooner. Thats because young babies can get very sick, very quickly and its important to identify the cause and start treatment as soon as possible.

    So, call your babys doctor or nurse line if their temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher. If your baby is less than two months old, the doctor will want to see baby as soon as possible. Also, anytime your baby is acting ill whether a fever is present or not call in.

    You can help your baby feel comfortable at home by keeping them in lightweight clothing and not over-bundling with blankets. Also, try to increase the frequency of breastfeeding or bottle feeding to prevent dehydration.

    Watch out for low body temp in infants

    What should you do if your babys temperature is low? If your baby is cold, warm them up! Cuddling under a warm blanket or an extra layer of clothing are good choices to warm up your baby. But you should call your doctor if their temperature drops below 97 degrees.

    Small babies are less able to regulate their body temperature. In other words, sometimes when babies get cold, they stay cold or get even colder.

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    When Your Baby Has A Fever

    It can be concerning to wake up in the middle of the night to a crying baby, and find theyre flushed or hot to the touch. The thermometer confirms your suspicions: Your baby has a fever. But what should you do?

    Its important to learn how to comfort your feverish baby and recognize when you need to seek medical care.

    Do I Need To Worry More About My Young Baby With A Fever

    When should I call the doctor for my baby’s fever? How do I take baby’s temperature correctly?

    Young babies need a different and more cautious approach:

    • if they have a fever, make sure to go to your doctor
    • if you are worried about them, take them to your doctor even if they do not have a fever
    • some babies may have an unstable temperature with an infection – they may be colder than normal – in a sick infant this is a worrying sign and is a reason to see a doctor urgently
    • babies get fevers for the same reasons as older children, but they are not as good at fighting off infections

    You need to keep your baby warm but they can get too hot if you wrap them in too many layers when they are in a warm place. A good guide is to dress your baby in one more layer than you are comfortable wearing in the same environment.

    Remember: Always take your baby to a doctor if they have a fever and are less than 3 months old.

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    What Is Considered A Fever For A Baby

    A fever is the normal response that your babys body has to fighting infection. A fever will usually go away within 72 hours. While mild fevers are typically not concerning, fevers are considered more serious in babies who are 3 months and younger.

    If your baby is 3 months and younger, The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents call their pediatrician if baby has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F/38.0°C or higher .

    Fever And Temperature Taking

    When your child is sick with an infection , it is common to also have a fever. Fever will not hurt your child. Usually, it goes away after 72 hours .

    Babies younger than 6 months old should see a doctor when they have a fever. Older children can be treated at home, as long as they get enough liquids and seem well otherwise. However, they should see a doctor if their fever lasts for more than 72 hours.

    There are several ways to take your childs temperature:

    • rectal method
    • oral method
    • axillary method
    • temporal artery method
    • tympanic method

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    How To Take Your Babys Temperature

    Using a thermometer is the best way to check your babys temperature.

    There are several different types of digital thermometers:

    Digital probe thermometers can be used in your child’s mouth or under their armpit . This type of thermometer is very common and a temperature taken orally will be more accurate.

    Digital ear thermometers are quick and easy to use, but will give you less accurate readings.

    Digital temporal artery thermometers use infrared scanning to your child’s forehead. These thermometers are both easy to use and accurate.

    Mercury thermometers are no longer recommended as they can break and poison your child. Fever strips and digital pacifier thermometers are also not recommended as they are not very accurate.

    Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can show you how to use a thermometer properly.

    If your childs forehead or skin feels very hot, its a good idea to use a thermometer to take their temperature accurately.

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