Health Tip: If Your Child Develops a Fever
(HealthDay News) -- While a fever generally is not something to be overly concerned about, some cases require a doctor's intervention, the Nemours Foundation says.
Triggers of may fever include an infection, overdressing (particularly newborns) and immunizations.
A high fever should be treated without delay to prevent discomfort and possible dehydration, Nemours says.
If -- despite a fever -- your child is still playing, eating and drinking; is alert, smiling, has a normal skin color and looks well when the body temperature returns to normal, there probably isn't a need to call your doctor, Nemours says.
But you should seek immediate care if there's:
- Crying that won't stop.
- Extreme irritability or fussiness.
- Trouble waking up.
- A rash or purple spots that look like bruises (that weren't there before your child got sick).
- Blue lips, tongue or nails.
- The child's soft spot on the head appears to be bulging or sunken.
- A stiff neck.
- A severe headache.
- Limpness or refusal to move.
- Trouble breathing that doesn't get better when the nose is cleared.
- Leaning forward and drooling.
- Seizure.
- Moderate-to-severe belly pain.
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