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I need to take my child’s temperature?

There are three options that we recommend:


Rectal: for babies and toddlers. Older children do not appreciate having their temperatures taken rectally. Use a digital thermometer with a small amount of lubricant. Insert the thermometer .125 to .25 inch into the rectum and hold there until complete. Sometimes it’s easier to take a baby’s temperature rectally if he is lying face down across your lap with his bottom pointing up.


Axillary: this is a good screening temperature for any age. Place the end of the thermometer well into the armpit and hold the child’s arm down firmly against his side. If you are checking the temperature of a baby less than 2 months old, and have an axillary temperature of 99 or higher, you need to check a rectal temperature.


Oral: this will work if the child is able to hold the thermometer under his tongue with his mouth closed. Do not use a glass or mercury thermometer for this. The reading will only be accurate if the child has had nothing hot or cold to eat or drink recently.


Skin temperature, pacifier thermometers, and ear thermometers are not accurate and are not recommended.


Don’t try to add or subtract degrees to what the thermometer reads. Just tell us what the number is and how the temperature was taken. For example: “99.5”.

My baby has a fever?

Fever is confusing, and our advice varies depending on the child’s age.


If your child is less than 2 months old and has a rectal temperature higher than 100.4, you should call our main office.


If your child is between 2 months and 6 months old and its temperature is less than 103, you can treat with Tylenol at home for up to 3 days before needing an appointment unless she has other symptoms (ear pain, dehydration, difficulty breathing).


If you child is older than 6 months and her temperature is less than 104, you can treat with Tylenol or Motrin at home for up to 3 days before needing an appointment unless she has other symptoms.

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