Health Tip: If Your Child Develops a Fever

-- While a fever generally is not something to be overly concerned about, some cases require a doctor's intervention, the Nemours Foundation says.

Triggers of may fever include an infection, overdressing (particularly newborns) and immunizations.

A high fever should be treated without delay to prevent discomfort and possible dehydration, Nemours says.

If -- despite a fever -- your child is still playing, eating and drinking; is alert, smiling, has a normal skin color and looks well when the body temperature returns to normal, there probably isn't a need to call your doctor, Nemours says.

But you should seek immediate care if there's:

• Crying that won't stop.
• Extreme irritability or fussiness.
• Trouble waking up.
• A rash or purple spots that look like bruises (that weren't there before your child got sick).
• Blue lips, tongue or nails.
• The child's soft spot on the head appears to be bulging or sunken.
• A stiff neck.
• A severe headache.
• Limpness or refusal to move.
• Trouble breathing that doesn't get better when the nose is cleared.
• Leaning forward and drooling.
• Seizure.
• Moderate-to-severe belly pain.

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Posted: November 2018