Since everyone is different, there are no black and white answers. According to research, 104 F is safe for children. However, you must also use your intuition, and to err on the side of caution is perfectly understandable. Rectal and oral fever readings are close: Rectal/ear/forehead - 100.4; Oral - 100; Armpit - 99. Your zone idea is a good one to implement. It can be scary for sure, and again ... no one size fits all approach. Knowing the guidelines is important, and then acting as you see fit. Thanks for your comment!
I know this is true, but it's so hard. It's so much easier taking the Tylenol and feeling more comfortable. But I know it only makes it last longer. We had an ER doctor tell us, "Fever is your friend, it's fighting to help you."
I know what you mean. I had a fever for five days in 2022. It was so painful I couldn't sleep. Twisting and turning; moaning and groaning ... I took the Tylenol! We do what we can do! Thanks for your comment.
The tricky part is the cutoff temperature. Is 104 F really safe? Especially with kids.
Is it rectal temp or oral? What about measurement errors?
Should we take remedial action at 103, 104, or 105? Perhaps we need a green zone (<103), yellow zone (104) and red zone (>105).
One can also try taking half the antipyretic drug dose so that the temp goes back to the green zone, but not back to 100 or 98.6.
Since everyone is different, there are no black and white answers. According to research, 104 F is safe for children. However, you must also use your intuition, and to err on the side of caution is perfectly understandable. Rectal and oral fever readings are close: Rectal/ear/forehead - 100.4; Oral - 100; Armpit - 99. Your zone idea is a good one to implement. It can be scary for sure, and again ... no one size fits all approach. Knowing the guidelines is important, and then acting as you see fit. Thanks for your comment!
I know this is true, but it's so hard. It's so much easier taking the Tylenol and feeling more comfortable. But I know it only makes it last longer. We had an ER doctor tell us, "Fever is your friend, it's fighting to help you."
I know what you mean. I had a fever for five days in 2022. It was so painful I couldn't sleep. Twisting and turning; moaning and groaning ... I took the Tylenol! We do what we can do! Thanks for your comment.
Nicki, managing editor AVFCA