Premier Pediatrics Fever Action Plan

If your child is younger than 2 months with a rectal temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), go to an emergency department immediately.

If your child is between 2 and 3 months old and their temperature (taken any way) is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, call your baby’s primary care provider immediately.

If your child is older than 3 months, call the primary care provider right away if:

• Your child is crying inconsolably.
• Your child is difficult to awaken.
• Your child has been in a very hot place, such as inside a hot car. 
• Your child has other symptoms such as a severe headache, stiff neck, or other severe pain.
• Fever is accompanied by a rash.
• Your child is taking steroids or has an immune system problem, such as cancer. 
• Your child looks or acts very sick.
• Your child has severe vomiting or diarrhea. 
• Your child is not up to date on their vaccines.
• Your child has a seizure (convulsion).

How to Dose Fever-Reducing Medications

If your child is less than 6 months of age:

• Give a dose of Acetaminophen(Tylenol) based on your child’s weight and according to the Acetaminophen Dosing Chart. Acetaminophen can be given every 4 hours as needed. 
• DO NOT GIVE IBUPROFEN TO CHILDREN UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD
• After 45 minutes of giving Tylenol, if your child’s fever is not coming down, call your pediatrician.
• DO NOT give your child Aspirin, as it has been linked to a serious, potentially fatal disease, called Reye syndrome.

If your child is over 6 months of age:

• Give a dose of Ibuprofen(Motrin or Advil) according to the Ibuprofen Dosing Chart. 
• Check your child’s temperature in 45 minutes. If it is not coming down, you can give a dose of Acetaminophen(Tylenol) based on the Acetaminophen Dosing Chart.
• Check your child’s temperature again in 45 minutes. If your child’s fever is not coming down at that point, call your pediatrician.
• Ibuprofen(Motrin or Advil) can be given every 6 hours as needed.
• Acetaminophen(Tylenol) can be given every 4 hours as needed.
• Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are different compounds so it does not matter how closely those medications are given to one another. Just make sure that the Ibuprofen doses are 6 hours apart and the Tylenol doses are 4 hours apart.
• DO NOT give your child Aspirin, as it has been linked to a serious, potentially fatal disease, called Reye syndrome.

WHEN TO TREAT A FEVER IN A HEALTHY CHILD OVER 6 MONTHS OF AGE:

100-102F - Low Grade Fever; does not always need to be treated unless child uncomfortable

102-104F - Moderate Fever; treat fever and monitor

104-105F - High Fever; always treat and some patients need to be seen

Over 105F - should be examined by a medical professional