Fevers: Dispelling the Myths and Worries
At Center for Living Health, we get many calls from parents worried because their child has a fever. Misconceptions
about fever are commonplace. Many parents lose sleep and needlessly worry due to unwarranted concerns about the
harmful side effects of fever.
Remember, Child fevers are a normal and healthy response of the body to an illness. A Fever is a physiological
mechanism that has beneficial effects in fighting infection. When the immune system produces a fever, it does so to
increase both the heart rate and respiratory rate, which increases the blood, filled with oxygen and nutrients, to all the
tissues that are trying to fight the infection.
Although many parents administer medications to reduce a fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to a child, the
American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that the primary goal should be to help the child feel more comfortable,
rather than to maintain a “normal” temperature.
• Parents should focus on the general well-being of the child, his/her activity, observing the child for signs of
serious illness and maintaining appropriate fluid intake.
• Parents should not wake up a sleeping child to administer a fever-reducer. Medications must be stored safely
to avoid accidental ingestions.
• Parents should be aware that the correct dosage is based on the child’s weight, and that an accurate
measuring device should always be used.
We believe in educating our patients so you can make informed decisions about your child’s health. We’ve compiled
the following guidelines from Dr. Allen, based on the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, to help
dispel the myth’s about fevers.
The most important thing to remember about Fevers is that overall, most fevers are harmless. In fact, most fevers
are good for children because fevers help them to fight infection.
MYTH #1: My child feels warm, so she has a fever.
FACT: Children can feel warm for a many reasons such as playing hard, crying, getting out of a warm bed or being
outside on a hot day. The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F to a high of 99.6°F (37.6°C) in the late
afternoon. Each child has a normal temperature range that may be different from another child’s. Mild increases
to 100.4°F (38°C) can be caused by exercising, wearing too many clothes, taking a hot bath, or being outside in hot
weather, and are considered normal.
If your child has a fever, remember to stay calm and use the following definitions to put your child’s fever
into perspective (for children under 2-3 months old, you should immediately call your doctor):
• 100-102 F (37.8-38.9 C): Low-grade fevers are beneficial.
• 102-104 F (38.9-40.0 C): Moderate-grade fevers are beneficial.
• > 104 F – 105.9 (>40.0-41.08 C): Higher fevers may cause discomfort but are harmless and still beneficial.
• > 106 F (>41.1 C): Very unusual for the immune system to produce such a high fever. There is a higher risk of
bacterial infection, or other serious problem. Give ibuprofen and call your doctor immediately.
• > 108 F (>42.2 C): The fever itself can be harmful and is a medical emergency.
MYTH #2: All fevers are bad for children.
FACT: Fevers turn on the body’s immune system and help the body fight infection, by increasing the blood, oxygen,
and nutrients in the tissues that are fighting the infection. Fevers are one of the body’s best protective
mechanisms. Normal fevers between 100° and 105.9° F (37.8° – 40.8° C) are actually GOOD for sick children.
MYTH #3: Fevers above 104° F (40° C) are dangerous and can cause brain damage.
FACT: Fevers with infections don’t cause brain damage. Only body temperatures above 108° F (42° C) can cause
brain damage. The body temperature climbs this high only with extreme environmental temperatures (for example, if
a child is confined to a closed car in hot weather).
