How To Bring Down Fever In Children And Teens: Tips And Remedies

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Fever in children and teens may occur due to various reasons. This is also called febrile response or pyrexia, in which the body temperature increases more than the average temperature between 97°F (36.1°C) and 99°F (37.2°C) (1). Fever indicates that something is going on in the body. A slight rise in body temperature is not a serious concern. Nevertheless, you may seek prompt medical care if the body temperature is above 103°F (39.4°C) since it can be due to illnesses or conditions requiring treatment (2).

Read about the causes, types, diagnosis, associated symptoms, and treatment for fever in children and teens and when to seek medical care.

What Body Temperature Is Considered A Fever In A Teenager

Fever happens when the immune system fights against infectious agents. The temperature is measured using a thermometer. When your teen’s body temperature rises a little, it can be a sign that their body is trying to respond to something that is not regular.

A fever up to 38.9°C (102°F) can be managed with home care. Any temperature above this may be managed with over-the-counter medications as per your doctor’s recommendations. However, if you notice your child is weak or shows any symptoms that are of concern, or if there is a continuous high fever, you may seek medical attention. There are few conditions where low fever can also be a cause for concern.

Child Fever Temperature Chart

Different thermometers may provide varying fever readings for your child. Some are more accurate than others. Refer to this fever chart to interpret the results correctly (3):

Age	Type of thermometer	What’s considered a fever?
0 to 2 years	Rectal	38°C (100.4°F)
0 to 2 years	Armpit	37.22°C (99°F)
2 to 5 years	Rectal	38°C (100.4°F)
2 to 5 years	Ear	38°C (100.4°F)
2 to 5 years	Armpit	37.22°C (99°F)
5+ years	Ear	38°C (100.4°F)
5+ years	Mouth	37.77°C (100°F)
5+ years	Armpit	37.22°C (99°F)

Types Of Fever In Children And Teens

The duration, types, and patterns of fever are useful to differentiate diseases that cause an increase in body temperature. The types of fever may also indicate the outcome of the disease in some cases.

Based on duration, fever is classified into (2):

• Acute fever: This usually lasts less than a week or seven days and is often associated with infectious diseases.

• Sub-acute fever: This may last up to two weeks and is typically seen in typhoid, and abscesses, among others.

• Chronic fever: This lasts more than two weeks and mostly occurs as a result of chronic infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, and cancers.

An untreated acute fever can often become chronic if it is not self-resolving.

Based on the increase in body temperature, fever can be classified into (2):

• Low-grade fever: 38.1°–39°C (100.5–102.2°F)

• Moderate-grade fever: 39.1°–40°C (102.2°–104.0°F)
  

• High-grade fever: 40.1°–41.1°C (104.1°–106.0°F)
  

• Hyperpyrexia: >41.1°C (>106.0°F)

Fever can be of different types based on the pattern of temperature fluctuations, including (2):

• Continuous fever: The temperature remains high for 24 hours, with slight variations and without touching normal. Constant fever often happens in typhoid (stepwise increase), pneumonia, and meningitis among others.

• Intermittent fever: It is characterized by high temperature for a few hours, followed by an interval. Sepsis and malaria often follow this pattern. It may vary based on its periodicity, namely quotidian fever (24 hours), tertian fever (48 hours), and quartan fever (72 hours). It is also typical of many viral infections in children.

• Remittent fever: This is characterized by a high temperature with changes of more than 2°C in 24 hours. Remittent fever may happen in endocardial infections and brucellosisⁱAn infection caused by Brucella bacteria commonly found in cattle and dogs and leads to brain, heart, liver, and bone damage. .

• Pel-Ebstein fever: It is defined by high temperature for about 3–10 days, followed by a normal temperature for 3–10 days. The pattern is generally seen in Hodgkin's lymphomaⁱA cancer of the lymphatic system characterized by swollen lymph nodes and reduced immunity. .

Some diseases that have fever as a prominent symptom are named based on the cause, clinical feature, or the endemic area. These include hay fever, rocky spotted mountain fever, Mediterranean fever, Assam fever, dengue fever, hemorrhagic fever, and yellow fever. These are names of diseases and not types of fever.

Signs And Symptoms Of Fever In Children And Teens

The following symptoms are often associated with fever (4):

• Decreased appetite
• Shivering
• Tiredness
• Increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia)
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Sweating
• Flushed face
  

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The following symptoms and signs often indicate the cause of fever.

• Ear pain
• Throat pain or sore throat
• Cough
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Skin rashes

The above-listed symptoms are commonly associated with fever. However, you may notice other symptoms and signs as well, depending on the conditions. Sometimes, it can be a red-herring. For example, typhoid fever may start with cough or urinary tract infection starting with diarrhea.

Causes Of Fever In Children

Fever can be a sign of many medical conditions (5):

• Infectious diseases
• Immunological diseases
• Certain cancers
• Metabolic diseases
• Inflammations
• Medications
• Heatstroke

Sometimes, body temperature can rise without any signs and symptoms of illnesses. It can often be due to emotional factors and physical activities. The following factors may cause an increase in body temperature:

• Stress
  

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• Clothing
• Food
• Medications
• Exercises
• Menstruation

If the fever occurs more than thrice in three weeks, with a temperature higher than 38.3°C without an exact diagnosis, it is called a fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Diagnosis Of Fever In Kids And Teens

Fever is diagnosed by measuring body temperature. Usually, oral temperature is noted in teens. For young children, rectal or ear thermometers can be used for more accurate readings. You may also check your child’s body temperature using digital thermometers. If your teen has a high fever, contact a healthcare provider. Additional tests are often ordered based on symptoms present with fever. If required, your pediatrician may order the following tests to confirm the reason for the fever (6):

• Blood tests
• Blood culture
• Sputum test
• Urinalysis
• Chest x-ray

These tests may vary depending on the clinical symptoms and epidemiological factors. Your teen’s doctor may conduct more tests in some instances, in order to diagnose the underlying pathologies.

How To Treat A Child With A Fever

Antipyretics are medications used to treat fever. If necessary, hospitalization and supportive care are recommended. The following treatments are given to reduce body temperature (7):

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen

Treatment with aspirin is not recommended for children since it may cause Reye syndromeⁱA rare condition of swelling in the liver and brain leading to loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizures. . Antibiotics are prescribed if fever is due to bacterial infections or if a teen underwent a spleen removal. The underlying conditions of a fever can be controlled with the management of the cause. However, often, antipyretics are needed.

Home Remedies For Fever In Kids And Teens

A few home remedies may help reduce mild fever. However, if the temperature is high or if it persists, you may seek medical care.

The home treatments for fever include (8), (9),:

• Staying hydrated: Fever could cause dehydration in teens and kids. It is crucial to drink enough water during a fever. If required, give oral rehydration solution (ORS) as per the doctor’s suggestion; this could help compensate for the fluid and electrolyte loss. You may offer diluted fruit juices and popsicles too.
  

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• Rest: Proper rest may aid recovery; your body needs more energy to work against the causative factors.

• Lukewarm bath: Taking a bath with lukewarm water may help reduce the temperature in low-grade fevers.

• Staying cool: Wearing light dresses or blankets and keeping your room temperature low may help you reduce a fever.

• Sponge bath: Use a washcloth to gently sponge the water over the body. Avoid adding alcohol to the water, as it can pose risks. After 15 minutes, recheck your child’s temperature. If it reaches or exceeds 103˚F (39.4˚C), repeat the sponge bath to manage fever effectively.

• Keeping a cold, wet cloth over the forehead could help reduce a fever.

These home remedies may help to reduce fever naturally. If you notice no improvement after using these remedies, seek medical attention for effective treatments.

Risks And Complications Of Fever In Kids And Teens

Although most children recover without developing any complications, a high-grade continuous fever lasting for a long time or an untreated fever may often cause poor outcomes including

• Dehydration
• Delirium
• Hallucinations
• Febrile seizures

Untreated high-grade fever can also result in multi-organ dysfunctions and may become fatal.

Prevention Of Fever In Kids And Teens

Infectious causes of fever can be prevented by following general hygiene measures and immunizations. The following tips may help you to minimize the risks of contagious diseases (10):

• Washing hands before eating, after using the toilet, after petting animals, etc.
  

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• Taking a shower after returning from crowded places.
• Covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing.
• Avoiding sharing of spoons, cups, and other utensils with someone who has a fever.
• Getting vaccinations as per recommended schedules.

When To See The Doctor

It is essential to seek medical care if your teen has any of the following (11):

• Persistent fever for more than two days
• Neurological symptoms
• Stiff neck
• Skin rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• PhotophobiaⁱA condition of heightened sensitivity to bright light characterized by pain and blurring.
• Dehydration
• Seizure
• Travel history to another country

There is a misconception that treating fever could weaken the immune system and worsen the underlying causes. However, fever treatments do not interfere with the outcomes.

Although low-grade fever in kids can be treated at home, it is better to contact your doctor to know the dosage of over-the-counter medications if needed. Immunocompromised children require medical attention on an immediate basis to avoid severe complications of fever.

Illustration: How To Reduce Fever In Children And Teens: Tips And Remedies

Keep calm and help your child stay comfortable and safe during a fever with the helpful tips shared in this video.

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