If you have ever taken your child’s temperature at different times during the day you may have noticed that the temperature changed at various times. Their normal body temperature varies from hour to hour and throughout the day. A child’s temperature will usually be lower in the middle of the night than in the mid-afternoon.  The normal oral temperature can vary up or down by 0.5-1C or 2F. Your child’s body temperature can rise simply due to hot weather, warm clothing or increased activity such as playing, running around or crying.
 
When your child develops a fever, his body temperature rises above the “normal” range. A fever is considered to be anything over 36.4C (97.7F). A fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection caused by bacteria, a virus or other foreign organism. However, fever is not always a reliable indicator of illness as it is not unusual for a young child to have a high temperature with just a mild illness. Conversely, a very sick child may have a low temperature or no fever at all.
 
The best fever treatment in children is to focus on the child and how he/she is feeling rather than on a particular degree of temperature. The following steps will help reduce a fever and help your child feel more comfortable:

• Dress your child in light cotton clothing;
• Keep the room temperature at a comfortable level;
• Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids;
• Gently wipe your child’s face with a damp lukewarm cloth of sponge. Baths are not recommended becuase they can cause discomfort and shivering;
• Never use an alcohol rub since the alcohol can be asbsorbed through your child’s skin.

Never use ASA (Aspirin) to treat your child’s fever. This medication has been linked to a rare but serious disease called Reye’s Syndrome when given to a child with a fever.
Fever treatment in children with a low grade fever (under 101F or38.5C) includes acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).  These should be used only if your child is in pain or great discomfort.

The fact is that a fever can do the body some good as it is a way for the body to defend itself against invading organisms. A slightly elevated body temperature gets the immune system revved up!!  Also, the bacteria or virus will not function as well in higher temperatures, so your child will heal quicker if he has not been medicated.

Please be aware there are times when you definitely should seek medical help for a fever.  In the first three months of life call for help immediately or go to a hospital emergency if your baby has a fever over 39C (102.2F) for more than half an hour.  A baby under two months old with a fever should be seen by a doctor. Also call if a fever lasts more than six hours in a baby under six months old.