Understanding Fevers

1. For infants under two months of age: If your baby’s temperature rises above 100°F, contact your doctor. A fever in newborns could indicate an infection that may have originated before birth or during delivery. Since fevers in newborns are rare, it’s always a good idea to seek medical advice, even if it turns out to be nothing serious, for your peace of mind.
2. For older children: You don’t need to consult a doctor unless the fever lasts more than three days or is paired with concerning symptoms like vomiting, trouble breathing, a persistent cough, or any other signs that don’t align with a common cold. It’s also important to seek medical attention if your child remains unusually lethargic, irritable, or appears seriously unwell.
3. Immediate medical attention: Call your doctor if your child is struggling to breathe, vomiting repeatedly, or exhibiting unusual movements or seizures, regardless of the fever’s level. If you notice any other alarming signs in their behavior or appearance, seek medical care.
4. Dealing with chills: If your child has chills, avoid the temptation to cover them with extra blankets. This could cause their body temperature to rise more quickly. Chills are a natural response as the body adjusts to a higher temperature and aren’t an indication that they are cold.
5. Encourage rest but don't overdo it: While your child should rest, there's no need to keep them in bed all day or limit their activity indoors if the weather is nice. Fresh air and moderate activity may improve their mood without worsening their condition. Avoid intense physical activities, though.
6. If the fever has non-infectious causes: If you suspect the fever is due to something like heatstroke or poisoning, take your child to the nearest emergency room immediately. If no ER is available, seek medical help at any healthcare facility.
7. Feeding during illness: The old saying, "feed a cold, starve a fever," is misleading. Proper nutrition helps the body recover from illness. If your child can eat, continue to feed them, as both colds and fevers deplete vital nutrients. If they aren't eating, offer fluids like fruit juice to provide some calories. And remember, chicken soup isn’t just for Jewish families—it can help anyone feel better!
8. Prevent dehydration: Fevers and associated symptoms can lead to dehydration. Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Fruit juice is great, but if they refuse it, any fluid is better than none. Aim for 8 ounces every hour to help keep them hydrated.

When your child gets an infection, their body produces additional white blood cells called leukocytes. These cells fight off bacteria and viruses and remove damaged tissue. As part of the healing process, they release pyrogens, which cause the body temperature to rise, resulting in fever. This rise in temperature speeds up healing and reduces the ability of bacteria to multiply. Iron, which bacteria rely on, is also stored in the liver during a fever. This reduces the spread of infection. Additionally, the body's production of interferon, a natural antiviral substance, becomes more effective at higher temperatures.

1. Normal body temperature: 98.6°F is not the baseline for everyone. A normal range is between 96.6°F and 99.4°F, with late afternoon temperatures typically being about one degree higher than morning readings.
2. Other causes of fever: Temperatures may rise for reasons unrelated to illness, such as after eating a large meal, during ovulation, or in pubescent teenagers. Antihistamines can also increase body temperature.
3. When to be concerned: Fevers linked to environmental factors like heatstroke or poisoning (e.g., from saunas or hot tubs) can be dangerous. Temperatures above 107°F can cause lasting damage.
4. Temperature measurement variations: Rectal readings are typically about one degree higher than oral readings in older children, and underarm (axillary) readings are usually lower. In babies, rectal, oral, and axillary readings don’t differ much. Therefore, an axillary temperature is sufficient to assess an infant’s fever.
5. Newborns and fever: Newborns should be monitored closely for fever. Overdressing can sometimes cause a fever in babies, so keep that in mind.
6. Fluid intake is key: Since fevers and infections can lead to dehydration, it’s important to make sure your child drinks fluids regularly. Aim for at least 8 ounces of liquid per hour, preferably something with nutritional value.
7. Fever severity and illness severity: The height of a fever doesn't always correlate with the severity of the illness. A fever caused by a viral or bacterial infection usually peaks around 105°F, but rarely exceeds 106°F unless it’s caused by heatstroke or poisoning.
8. Treating fever: Reducing fever with medications or sponging is often counterproductive. Fever is a sign that the body is actively fighting off infection, and it shouldn’t be suppressed unnecessarily.
9. Fever and brain damage: Contrary to popular belief, fevers caused by infections do not lead to brain damage or permanent physical harm. Most fevers caused by common illnesses like colds or flu won't surpass 106°F.
10. Seizures from high fever: While high fevers can lead to febrile seizures in about 4% of children, they are typically harmless. Studies show that febrile seizures don’t result in death or long-term health problems, nor do they increase the risk of epilepsy later in life.

• Aspirin, a form of salicylic acid, is similar to a chemical used in rat poison that causes internal bleeding. It can also cause Reye’s syndrome in children. 
• Tylenol, on the other hand, can harm the liver and kidneys and also decreases intracellular glutathione levels..

• https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/fever-myths-versus-facts/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15878691/