Fever and Taking a Child's Temperature
You may have found yourself in the following situation: You wake in the middle of the night to find a child with all of the telltale signs of a fever; they are flushed, hot and sweaty, and their forehead feels warm. Is it time to get out the thermometer or call the doctor?
In reality, fever is simply the body’s way of fighting infection. A fever occurs when the body’s internal “thermostat,” found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus, raises the body temperature above its normal level.
Under normal circumstances, the hypothalamus sends signals to keep the body’s temperature at approximately 98.6 ºF (37 ºC). In response to infection or illness, however, the hypothalamus “resets” the body to a higher temperature. Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body’s way of fighting the germs that cause infections, making the body a less comfortable place to live.
Although you can normally feel when a child has a fever, it is important that you have a reliable thermometer nearby to take an accurate reading.
Digital thermometers usually provide the quickest, most accurate readings. Another advantage to using digital thermometers is that they are versatile and can take readings orally, rectally and axillary (under the arm).
Electronic ear thermometers, also known as tympanic thermometers, measure the temperature inside the ear canal. This variety tends to be slightly more expensive and the thermometer itself must be positioned carefully in the ear canal to capture an accurate reading.
Glass mercury thermometers were once preferred because of their reputation for accuracy, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has repeatedly discouraged their use due to the potential exposure to the environmental toxin mercury if the thermometer is broken.
As a general rule of thumb, always consult your family physician for fevers of 102 ºF and above.
If you have additional questions or would like information on fever and taking a child's temperature, please ask our pharmacists.