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When Is a Fever Dangerous for a Toddler?

Toddlers should generally have a temperature of between 97 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. While 98.6 degrees is the standard for a normal body temperature, some individuals tend to run higher or lower. Activity levels and hot days can also affect temperature. Therefore, anything below 100.4 isn't usually defined as a fever. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for taking temperatures of toddlers. They recommend using a digital thermometer either rectally or in the armpit for ages 3 months to 3 years. Under the arm can give you a general idea, but it may be a few degrees off.

  1. High Fever

    • Contact your pediatrician if your toddler has a temperature of 103 degrees or higher. If the fever reaches 105 degrees, you should go to a hospital right away. Fevers over 107 degrees are very dangerous and can cause long-term damage to the body. Remember that the method you use to take your toddler's temperature at home can affect whether you get an accurate reading.

    Long-Term Fever

    • A low-grade fever can be cause for concern if it doesn't go away. This can be a sign of a dangerous infection or illness that hasn't yet presented other symptoms. You should call your pediatrician if your toddler has a fever of 101 degrees or higher for more than a day. The doctor might ask you to come in or tell you to try home remedies and wait a little longer. Don't ignore a fever that lasts for days or weeks, even if there are no other symptoms.

    Vaccinations

    • Children often get fevers after they receive vaccinations. A low-grade fever that only lasts for a day or two isn't considered dangerous. It can be treated with acetaminophen if there are no other significant symptoms. However, if it reaches 102 degrees F or higher, it could signify an adverse reaction. See your doctor or go to a hospital if your toddler has a high fever within 72 hours of a vaccination. Other side effects to watch for include convulsions, extreme sleepiness and high-pitched wailing that lasts for a few hours.

    Accompanying Symptoms

    • Other symptoms that occur along with a fever can help you determine how dangerous it is. Contact your doctor if you notice a significant change in behavior. Get care immediately if there's difficulty breathing, a strange rash or spots on the skin, or a change in level of consciousness. Children sometimes have febrile seizures when their body temperature rises. Although these aren't harmful, you should see your pediatrician right away or go to a hospital, because the cause of the fever needs to be treated.

    Monitoring Fevers

    • Some doctors prefer that you don't use home remedies to treat a fever unless the child is uncomfortable. Artificially reducing it may impair the body's natural defense system. You also can't keep track of how high the fever is or how long it lasts if a medication is taken to lower it. However, acetaminophen is helpful if your toddler is having trouble sleeping or eating because he feels ill. To monitor a fever, take the child's temperature every four hours when she's awake.

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