When Should a Child with a Fever Go to the Hospital?
Parents today have so much on their plate. Between juggling schedules around late-night math questions, soccer practice, and all other types of extracurricular activities, every parent places the most importance on one thing: their child’s health. Be it a common cold, the flu, or an ear infection, seeing a child in discomfort can raise a parents protective instincts in a hurry – almost as fast as their child’s rising fever temperature!
What often gets lost in the heat of the moment, however, is the fact that a fever is not always necessarily a bad thing. Studies show that a fever can actually help train your child’s immune system by building up its strength through the production of white blood cells. This can help them in the long run when it comes to fighting off other illnesses as well. Some research has even shown that children who ran a fever in their first year were less likely to experience allergies later in life.
What is considered a real fever?
By definition, doctors consider a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) and higher to be a real fever. After that, the body’s task of maintaining a normal body temperature kicks into high gear. Many organs are then called into duty, including the brain, skin, and blood vessels. In doing so, sweat production is either increased or decreased, depending on necessity. The flow of blood will also move closer or farther from the skin as needed.
A child’s body temperature will actually increase in reaction to a fever. This happens for a few different reasons. First, chemicals in the body are produced in response to an invasion from a microorganism or other intruder. Then, the body hurriedly produces antibodies to fight the infection and will likewise recognize the infection should it return in the future.
When is an Urgent Care visit necessary?
Despite the positive long-term effects that running a fever can have on your child’s immune system, at a certain point there can come a time when a trip to the emergency room or an urgent care center may be necessary.
As a rule of thumb, all parents should first understand the following:
- If your child is younger than 90 days old, seek emergency care if he or she has a fever above 100.4 degrees F.
- When your child is between the ages of 90 days and 36 months old, seek emergency care if their temperature is about 102.2 degrees F.
- In case your child is older than 36 months old, seek emergency care after two days if they have maintained a fever of 102 degrees F.
Here are some other physically apparent reasons that should have you immediately seeking out a healthcare professional for your child’s fever:
- Experiencing rashes throughout their body.
- Vomiting and/or having trouble keeping fluids down.
- Having difficulty feeding, breathing, and/or waking up.
- Crying incessantly or is otherwise inconsolable.
- Urinating regularly.
- Your child’s lips appear blue.
- Your child generally does not look well in the face.
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