Question:
If my child has a fever of 105 degrees or less and otherwise drinking well, and acting normally do I need to take them to the ER?
Answer:
No
MedHead Confidence Score: 7
Amount Saved: $3,000 average cost of ER
MedHead Message:
Fever by itself isn’t going to kill your child. The biggest thing to worry about is DEHYDRATION. Fevers aren’t bad by themselves. Make sure to hydrate with electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. Children’s ibuprofen or children’s acetaminophen helps lower fever. Save the trip to the ER for fever with rash and stiff neck, fever with severe dehydration and lethargy, or fever with very fast breathing rate.
References:
1. Purrsell, E. et. al, Fever phobia: The impact of time and mortality–a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2016 Apr;56:81-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.11.001. Epub 2015 Nov 17. 2. Clericetti CM et. al. Systematic review finds that fever phobia is a worldwide issue among caregivers and healthcare providers. Acta Paediatr. 2019 Feb 4. doi: 10.1111/apa.14739 3. https://health.costhelper.com/emergency-room.html
