Fever in children understandably worries parents, but it is usually the body’s normal response to a minor infection and resolves on its own within a couple of days. Keeping your child hydrated, dressed lightly, and comfortable is often enough.
However, a few situations call for a pediatrician’s attention without delay: a fever above 104°F (40°C), a fever lasting more than three days, a fever in an infant under three months old, or a fever accompanied by a rash, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, or unusual drowsiness.
Keeping a simple log of your child’s temperature and any accompanying symptoms makes the pediatrician’s job much easier and usually leads to a faster, more accurate diagnosis — whether it turns out to be a routine viral infection or something that needs treatment.
