• Higher fevers do not always mean more serious illnesses. 
• Fevers may accompany simple colds. 
• High fevers may make a child uncomfortable.
• Fevers do not cause brain damage or deafness. 
• Going outside with a fever will not make a child sicker. 
• Teething alone does not cause high fevers. 
• Some children may experience brief convulsions as a result of rapid rise in body temperature (not necessarily a high fever). 
• These are not life threatening and these children do not generally go on to develop seizure disorders later in life.

• Fever is only a symptom. 
• It is helpful to the immune system and therefore does not need to be treated. 
• Children may feel better if their fevers are lower.
• It is not important to get the temperature to normal. 
• Most fever treatments will only lower the temperature a few degrees but makes the child more comfortable.

MEDICINES

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosing every 4 hours (see schedule).
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) dosing every 6 hours (see schedule).
• Aspirin should not be used in children because of the rare possibility of Reye's syndrome.

SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT

• Loosen clothing and do not bundle tightly.
• Luke warm baths or sponge baths (do not use alcohol or cold water baths).
• Remember, do not become discouraged if the fever does not return to normal. Fever is okay. How your child looks and acts during the illness that accompanies the fever is more important.
• Click to view our medication dosing chart.

• Fever in Infants & Children
• Taking Your Child's Temperature 
• When to Call Your Child's Doctor