“What to do if a 3 year old child has a high fever of 103 degrees?”

Fever is just a symptom suggesting that something is going on with the child. You may give Tylenol or Motrin temporary for his fever to make him feel comfortable and then make an appointment to see his pediatrician. If he is not active at all, moaning or crying constantly or just listless, pale, short of breath, markedly decrease in oral intake especially fluid, take him to ER immediately.

Wait until the motrin takes effect and hydration, then take him to the ER.

Fever of 103F is high, but if your child is still drinking well, has good energy (though less that he/she usually) does, and is easy to wake up, then giving Motrin or Tylenol (sometimes both, if the fever does not go down within 45 minutes). It would be good for him/her to be seen by his/her pediatrician, but not necessarily the ED. The times I suggest to go to the ER, is if they are difficult to wake up, are not making sense with their words, have difficulty breathing, and is not drinking well, having less urine over a 24 hours period.

I always suggest to look at your child, the number may or may not reflect the way your child feels. I have seen kids look great with 103F, and kids look miserable with 99F... it all depends what the underlying illness is.

I hope this helps.

You can also give Tylenol at 10 mg per kg of weight. You can sponge bathe with lukewarm water. Do not use alcohol. If your child is eating okay and is playful when fever goes down, it is okay to see the pediatrician in the am.