Febrile Illness

At Kids 1st Urgent Care, we prioritize a comprehensive and compassionate approach to evaluating and managing your child’s febrile illness. We follow clinical pathways established by leading children's hospitals to ensure your child receives care that meets the highest pediatric medicine standards. Kids 1st Urgent Care is dedicated to delivering expert evaluation and care for your child’s fever, all within the comfort of your home, ensuring both effective treatment and peace of mind for you.

What is a Fever?

A fever is generally defined as a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. It is not an illness itself but a common symptom indicating that the body is responding to an infection or illness. When a person has a fever, the body is activating its defense mechanisms, such as increasing the production of white blood cells and other immune responses, to fight off the infection.

What Happens When Your Child Gets a Fever?

When your child has a fever, their body is raising its temperature as a defense mechanism to help fight off germs and infections. This elevated temperature can assist the immune system in eliminating the pathogens causing the illness without harming your child.

During a fever, you might observe the following in your child:

• Appearance and Feelings: They may feel hot and look flushed. Fevers can cause symptoms like headaches, body aches, sweating, or shivering.
• Behavioral Changes: Your child may experience a loss of appetite, increased sleepiness, or irritability. Many children feel cranky during a fever but often feel better once their temperature returns to normal.
• Heart Rate and Breathing: An increase in heart rate and breathing rate is normal and can resemble the physiological changes that occur during physical exertion.

What Conditions Can Cause a Fever?

Fevers are a common occurrence in children and are usually caused by viral and bacterial infections. Some of the most frequent viral causes include the common cold and flu. In a smaller number of cases, fevers may result from bacterial infections, such as:

• Ear infections
• Strep throat
• Pneumonia

If your child experiences a prolonged fever lasting more than a week or has recurring fevers, it is essential to consult with their primary care provider. These symptoms might indicate an underlying chronic condition that requires further evaluation.

When Should a Fever Be Treated?

A fever should be addressed if it causes discomfort for your child. Treating a fever can help alleviate associated aches and pains, making it easier for your child to sleep and stay hydrated. However, if your child is comfortable and sleeping well despite the fever, treatment may not be necessary. The purpose of treating a fever is to relieve discomfort rather than to speed up the recovery process from the underlying infection.

What Can I Do to Decrease My Child's Fever?

If the fever is causing discomfort, you can take the following steps:

• Anti-Fever Medication: Administer appropriate medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid giving aspirin, as it has been associated with Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
• Dress Lightly: Dress your child in lightweight clothing to prevent trapping heat. If they feel cold, an extra light blanket is fine. The aim is to keep them comfortable, not necessarily to lower the fever.
• Encourage Fluid Intake: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids, including water, juice, milk, sports drinks, or broth, to stay hydrated.
• Lukewarm Bath: Offer a lukewarm bath if it provides comfort. Avoid cold baths, as shivering can actually increase body temperature. Always supervise your child during bath time.
• Cold Compresses: Place cold, damp washcloths on areas where blood vessels are close to the skin, such as the forehead, wrists, and groin.
• Avoid Alcohol Baths: Do not use alcohol baths as they can be dangerous and are not recommended.

Additional Tips

• Check Temperature: Before administering more fever medication, check your child's temperature to determine if it has increased or decreased. This helps in tracking fever trends and avoids unnecessary medication.
• Avoid Disrupting Sleep: Don’t wake your child to administer medicine or take their temperature. Rest is crucial.
• Hydrate: Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration during a fever.
• Cool Environment: Let your child rest in a cool room to help manage body temperature effectively.

These measures can help manage your child's fever and improve their comfort during illness.

Child-Friendly Environment

Understanding that medical treatments can be stressful for children, all of our providers have been trained by our Child Life Specialists on how to approach your child in a friendly and compassionate manner. We strive to make the experience as stress-free as possible, with a child-centered environment and a caring staff that helps ease any anxiety.

Kids 1st Urgent Care sources its medical research from leading authorities in pediatric medicine, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Texas Children’s Hospital.