Fever

Eating and drinking with a fever

• Everyone, especially children, should drink plenty of fluids. Water, popsicles, soup, gelatin are all good choices.
• Do not give too much fruit or apple juice and avoid sports drinks in younger children.
• While eating foods with a fever is fine, foods should not be forced.

Call a doctor right away if your child:

• Is younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher
• Is 3 -12 months old and has a fever of 102.2 °F (39 °C) or higher
• Is under age 2 years and has a fever that lasts longer than 24 - 48 hours
• Is older and has a fever for longer than 48 - 72 hours
• Has a fever over 105 °F (40.5 °C), unless it comes down readily with treatment and the person is comfortable
• Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, or cough
• Has been having fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if they are not very high
• Has a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis
• Recently had an immunization
• Has a new rash or bruises appear
• Has pain with urination
• Has trouble with their immune system (chronic steroid therapy, after a bone marrow or organ transplant, their spleen previously has been removed, is HIV-positive, or they're being treated for cancer)
• Has recently traveled to a third world country

Call 911 if you or your child has a fever and:

• Is crying and cannot be calmed down (children)
• Cannot be awakened easily or at all
• Seems confused
• Cannot walk
• Has difficulty breathing, even after their nose is cleared
• Has blue lips, tongue, or nails
• Has a very bad headache
• Has a stiff neck
• Refuses to move an arm or leg (children)
• Has a seizure

Call your doctor right away if you are an adult and you:

• Have a fever over 105 °F (40.5 °C), unless it comes down readily with treatment and you are comfortable
• Have a fever that stays at or keeps on going above 103 °F
• Have a fever for longer than 48 - 72 hours
• Have had fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if they are not very high
• Have a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, COPD, or other chronic lung problems
• Have a new rash or bruises appear
• Have pain with urination
• Have trouble with your immune system (chronic steroid therapy, after a bone marrow or organ transplant, spleen was previously removed, HIV-positive, were being treated for cancer)
• Have recently traveled to a third world country

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include a detailed examination of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, chest, and abdomen to look for the cause of the fever.

Treatment depends on the duration and cause of the fever, and on other accompanying symptoms.

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

• Blood studies, such as a CBC or blood differential
• Urinalysis
• X-ray of the chest