What to do when your child has a high fever

Dangerous fevers

Q&A with Dr. Manny: What temperature is too high in a toddler, and at what point should you take them to the doctor?

A fever is typically a sign that something out of the ordinary is happening in your body. But a temperature reading isn’t the only sign that a fever is serious.

Leisa Priddy, a Fox News Health viewer, asked this question about her grandson:

“My grandson had a fever of 105.1. What temperature is too high in a toddler, and at what point should you take them to the doctor?”

When it comes to fevers in small children, it’s important to be cautious, because a fast-rising fever could put a child at risk for a febrile seizure.

Parents should call a doctor if a child’s temperature is more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy also recommends seeing a doctor if your child experiences symptoms like:

-Loss of appetite

-Cough

-An ear ache

-Irritability or fatigue

-Vomiting

-Diarrhea

According to Dr. Stephen Turner, chief of pediatrics at SUNY Downstate at Long Island College Hospital, there are two over-the-counter medicines that can be used to reduce fever in children – acetaminophen, or Tylenol, which can be used every four hours, and Ibuprofen, which can be used ever six hours.