Fever

What causes a fever?

A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature usually caused by an illness. A number of illnesses and conditions that cause a fever include:

• A cold or the flu
• Ear infections
• Strep throat
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Heat exhaustion

To get to the root cause of your child’s fever, you and your child’s doctor will discuss their symptoms and medical history. Depending on the cause, your urgent care pediatrician will recommend the right treatment for your child’s condition.

When to see a doctor?

A fever doesn’t always require a trip to the doctor. The risk a fever poses to your child depends on their age. If your child is under 3 months old with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, you should bring them into an urgent care center. You should also seek urgent care if your child is 3 months or older with a fever of 102 degrees that lasts longer than 24 hours.

If your child is over 2 and runs a fever, there’s likely no need for concern if they stay alert and responsive. You should bring your child to the doctor if they become irritable, lethargic, or begin vomiting.

What to expect during my appointment?

Because your child’s fever can be caused by a number of things, the doctor will evaluate your child’s physical condition and discuss their symptoms and medical history. Depending on the information you provide, your doctor will do a series of tests, including X-rays and/or blood tests to come to an accurate diagnosis.

How is a fever treated?

For a mild fever, your doctor might recommend no treatment at all. Fevers caused by other illnesses like the flu or strep throat usually go away once the child gets well.

For more severe cases, over-the-counter medications can be used to relieve your child’s symptoms. Other forms of treatment depend on the cause of the fever. For instance, fevers caused by bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.

To find out which treatment is best for your child, visit Night Watch Pediatric Urgent Care or book an appointment by phone or online today.

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