76
FAMILY ILLNESS
Fever( children)
For adults and children over 12, see p. 74 A fever is a temperature of 100.4 ° F( 38 ° C) or above. If your child is not feeling well, you should take his or her temperature because a high fever may need urgent treatment. If a feverish child becomes unresponsive, dial 911 or call EMS. In all cases, follow the advice for bringing down a fever( p. 164).
START
How old is your child?
Under 6 months
6 months or over
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW Fever in young babies is unusual unless it occurs within 48 hours of immunization. Fever may indicate an illness that could be serious.
! Danger signs
Dial 911 or call EMS if your child’ s temperature rises above 102 ° F( 39 ° C) and he or she has any of the following symptoms:
• Abnormally rapid breathing( see p. 71).
• Abnormal drowsiness.
• Severe headache.
• Dislike of bright light.
• Refusal to drink for more than 6 hours.
Is your child reluctant to move an arm or leg?
Does your child have a rash?
Rash
No rash
ACTION
GO TO ANOTHER CHART Rash with fever, p. 96
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! Your child may have meningitis.
• Follow the advice for bringing down a fever( p. 164).
Does your child have any of the following?
Severe headache
Abnormal drowsiness, irritability, or confusion
Dislike of bright light
Neck pain on bending the head forwards
None of the above
Yes
No
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW Your child could have an infection in a bone, such as osteomyelitis, or a joint infection.
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR
WITHIN 24 HOURS Your child may have acute otitis media( middle-ear infection).
• Give liquid acetaminophen to relieve
pain and reduce fever.