Fever

Fever is the body’s normal response to infection or illness. Normal temperature in degrees F is: Oral – 98.6, Rectal – 99.6 and Axillary - 97.6. The appearance and nature of the child is more important than the height of the fever.

Here are some things that you can do:

 

• Maintain hydration with water, nursing, diluted/clear fruit juices, Emergen-C
• Make compresses with pieces of fresh chopped ginger, which can be used in a bath or footsoak.
• Take a tepid apple cider vinegar bath.
• Place cool washcloths on the forehead and back of neck.
• Castor oil pack placed on the chest.
• Chiropractic and cranial adjustments to help restore normal function of the nervous and immune systems.

Warning signs that warrant an evaluation by a medical doctor include:

• Child is severely lethargic and not eating or drinking.
• Less than 4 wet diapers in an 8-hour period.
• Fever maintained over 105 degrees F, rather than spiking.
• Any fever when your child is less than 2 months old.
• Temperatures seen with stiff neck, difficulty breathing (not due to a stuffy nose), difficulty arousing and delirium.
• Fever persistent for longer than 3 days.
• Crying constantly for a prolonged period of time.

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