“When does a fever become dangerous?”
My nephew gets a fever every time he gets a cold. When does a fever become dangerous and require hospitalization?
7 Answers
A fever can be controlled with Childrens Tylenol or Motrin given every 8 hours for 24 - 48 hours along with frequent hydration. If the fever continues you should follow up with your Pediatrician.
99.5 F is considered a fever. It's the body's natural response to an infection, most times. Younger than 3 months old should be seen by health provider. 6 months to two years old if the fever lasts more than two days. If greater than two years old and listless, irritated, vomiting or in intractable pain they need to be seen by a provider. For "colds" , it's a virus. Usually, self limiting. Hydration (pedilyte), Tylenol, bed rest. It is very normal to have a small fever with a cold. If you have a "gut" feeling, go with it and have your nephew checked out. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
Fever in children can be dangerous when it reaches 103-104. Usually, you look at other symptoms as well. A really sick child with a high temp that is not brought down with acetaminophen and lukewarm baths should be evaluated.
Fever is a common symptom of many infections, including the common cold. In general, a fever is not dangerous and does not require hospitalization unless it is very high or persistent, or is associated with other concerning symptoms. A fever is generally considered to be high if it is above 103°F (39.4°C). A persistent fever that lasts for more than a few days, or a fever that is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as severe headache, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or abdominal pain, may also warrant medical attention. In young children, fever can sometimes lead to seizures, which can be a medical emergency. If your nephew is a young child and has a fever that is very high or is accompanied by seizures or other concerning symptoms, it may be best to seek medical attention. Carmen R Caro Almodóvar, PA-C (787) 207-9602 crcaro08@gmail.com
Fever of unknown etiology for 5 days or more.
Most children do not get hospitalized for a fever, but for the illnesses that cause the fevers. It is the job of the pediatrician or physician to find out what exactly is causing the fevers and treat the cause. Most fevers in children are due to viral or bacterial infections. If your nephew is under 3 years of age, he should be evaluated by his pediatrician whenever he gets a fever since it could be a sign of a viral or bacterial infection. If the child is 3 years or older, he can be taken to the pediatric ER if the child's temperature is over 102 degrees for two or more days. Parents should also seek emergency care if the fever is accompanied by any of these symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea & vomiting, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
If it lasts longer then 3 days, a child under 2 months of age, over 104, if it doesn't respond to tyelnol or Ibuprofen or at any point you are concerned.
