How many fevers has your child had?  For most parents, it’s too many to count.  Fevers tend to worry us as parents, but what do they really mean about your child’s health? 

“Fever is part of the body’s natural defense against illness, both bacterial and viral ones,” said Terrence Stull, MD of OU Children’s Physicians. “The fact is fevers help us battle illness.”

Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body’s way of fighting germs and making the body a less comfortable place for them.  For almost all children over the age of one, fevers aren't a big problem.  So when should a parent treat a fever then?  The answer depends on the child’s age and how long the child has been ill.

“In newborns and very young infants, fever should not be ignored,” Stull pointed out. “In infants younger than two months, a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher may be serious matter and should be evaluated immediately by your pediatrician or an emergency room physician.  Beyond two months of age, typically a phone call to your pediatrician or clinic will ensure that your child gets the right care.”

Most doctors say that children over two months of age, with a fever less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, don't need to take any special medication unless the fever is making him or her uncomfortable.  If your child’s fever tops 102, you may want to consider giving him or her an over-the-counter fever reducer like acetaminophen.  Do not give your child aspirin because it can cause a rare, but serious illness in children.

Stull pointed out the duration of illness also impacts whether or not a child should be treated.

“If your child’s fever lasts for more than a few days or your child appears ill, then it is probably a good idea to see your pediatrician or family physician. Or if the fever goes away, but then later comes back, that would also be a good time to check in with your pediatrician or family physician,” Stull added. “Then your child may have developed what we call a secondary infection and it is probably also a good idea to have your child seen by a physician.”