How to Monitor a Child's Fever

Standing by while your child is sick can make you feel helpless. In many cases, it is not the fever that you should worry about. A fever is the outward sign of an inner infection. The body's temperature rises in order to kill off the heat-sensitive bacteria attacking the body. The best way to help your child overcome their illness is to monitor the fever and act accordingly. Pay attention to your child and his or her outward symptoms, and respond with actions that will keep your child comfortable while reducing the fever.

Steps

1.Check your child's temperature regularly. Every 2 - 4 hours, use a thermometer to get a new temperature rating. Record the time and temperature to keep track of any changes. If your child's fever is very high (over 104 degrees), check his or her temperature more frequently, as often as every 20 minutes. If the child is sleeping, wait until he or she wakes up to take a new temperature reading. Sleep is needed to help fight a fever and is more important than keeping to a temperature taking schedule.

2.Make sure your child stays hydrated. A fever can quickly dehydrate children. Keep their bodies at full fever-fighting capacity by having them drink a lot of fluids. While they are ill, have them drink beverages that contain electrolytes.

3.Keep tabs on your child's appearance. Part of monitoring a fever is paying attention to small things to notice if there are any changes. Increasing changes could mean the fever is getting better or worse. It is normal for a child with fever to feel hot or cold, and his skin might be pale as his blood is focused on other parts of his body to fight the illness.

4.Pay attention to your child's behavior. It is normal for someone with a fever to sleep a lot. The sleep helps the body focus on fighting the cause of the fever. Some shivering is normal as it is the body's way of producing its own heat. In some instances, a child with a fever will act normally or have periods of time where he wants to get up and play. You should be in the clear if your child shows interest in eating.

5.Reduce a fever with medication. While a low-grade fever is better left un-medicated so the body can fight off the imposing threat of infection or illness that is causing the fever, at times and for high fevers, medication is recommended. Following the recommended dosage, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can safely be given to children. The two medications can even be alternated at subsequent medication times to quickly reduce a fever.

6.Seek professional or emergency help if the fever is uncontrollable. Take your child to a doctor if he or she has a high fever (over 104 degrees), lasts over 3 days or if the child becomes dehydrated. Pay careful attention to a sick child who does not want to move around. Get help immediately if your child is having trouble breathing or becomes violently ill.