Dangerous fevers
Q&A with Dr. Manny: What temperature is too high in a toddler, and at what point should you take them to the doctor?
A fever is typically a sign that something out of the ordinary is happening in your body. But a temperature reading isn’t the only sign that a fever is serious.
Leisa Priddy, a Fox News Health viewer, asked this question about her grandson:
“My grandson had a fever of 105.1. What temperature is too high in a toddler, and at what point should you take them to the doctor?”
When it comes to fevers in small children, it’s important to be cautious, because a fast-rising fever could put a child at risk for a febrile seizure.
Parents should call a doctor if a child’s temperature is more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy also recommends seeing a doctor if your child experiences symptoms like:
-Loss of appetite
-Cough
-An ear ache
-Irritability or fatigue
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
According to Dr. Stephen Turner, chief of pediatrics at SUNY Downstate at Long Island College Hospital, there are two over-the-counter medicines that can be used to reduce fever in children – acetaminophen, or Tylenol, which can be used every four hours, and Ibuprofen, which can be used ever six hours.
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