Further Reading

What are the facts about fevers?

by Maria I. Diaz, MD, FAAP

Misconceptions about the dangers of fever are very common. Fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection and is one of the body’s protective mechanisms. How high a fever is does not help the doctor to decide whether an infection is mild or severe or whether an infection is from a bacterial or viral illness. Here are some myths and facts regarding fever:

Myth:    If the fever is high, the cause is serious.

Fact:      If the fever is high, the cause may or may not be serious. If the child looks well but has a high temperature, for example, it is less concerning than a child who only has a mild fever but who appears sick or unresponsive. Some viral infections may have high fevers associated with them, and some serious bacterial infections may be associated with an abnormally low body temperature.

Myth:    Fevers cause brain damage, or fevers above 104 F are dangerous.

Fact:      Most fevers associated with infections are less than 108 F (42 C) yes, 108! These fevers do not cause brain damage.

Myth:    Low grade fevers are between 99 F and 100 F.

Fact:      These are normal variations.  An actual low grade fever is above 100 F to 102 F (>37.8-39 C).

Myth:    Anyone can have a seizure triggered by fever, and these seizures are harmful.

Fact:      Only 4 out of 100 kids can have a febrile seizure. They cause no permanent harm. Children who had febrile seizures do not have a greater risk for developmental delays, learning disabilities, or seizures without a fever.

Myth:    All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine, and without treatment, fevers will keep going higher.

Fact:      Fevers only need to be treated if your child is uncomfortable. Usually fevers don’t cause any discomfort until they go above 102 F. Fevers from infection usually top out at 103-104 F rarely going to 105-106 F, these are high fevers but again may be harmless ones.

Myth:    With treatment, fever should come down to normal, and if it doesn’t (if you “can’t break the fever”), the cause is serious.

Fact:      Fevers that don’t respond to fever medicine can be caused by viruses or bacteria. It doesn’t relate to the seriousness of the infection. With treatment, fevers usually come down 2 or 3 degrees.

Important points:

  • If your child is less than 3 months old or your child is looking or acting very sick, your child needs immediate evaluation regardless how high the fever is.
  • Fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection.
  • Your child’s exact temperature is less important than how your child looks and acts.
  • To keep your child comfortable, keep your child lightly dressed, give extra fluids, and give acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • To confirm that your child has a fever, use a thermometer to measure your child’s body temperature.
  • Teething does not cause high fevers.