When to treat a fever?

I try not to give my kids medicine for a fever unless they are truly uncomfortable. I am sure there have been times when their fevers were at 100 degrees and I didn't even know it. I do treat them if they are achy and have a headache-sometimes a low grade fever goes along with that. When do you give your kids acetaminophen/ibuprofen?

FROM ABC: Treating fevers in children is a rite of passage for all parents, but the latest advice from experts may surprise you. It says that 98.6 is a number that's over-valued.

For the first time, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released guidelines for parents and health care professionals on how to deal with fevers in children. It says that if you give your child Advil or Tylenol for a one hundred degree temperature, then you have "fever phobia."

That's because mild fevers are *not* harmful and don't need to be treated aggressively. Fever is a common symptom in children, but a fever helps the body fight infection and should be treated to improve a child's level of comfort-- not to restore normal body temperature. This advice does not apply to children with certain chronic conditions or to children under three months of age-- who should be taken to the doctor if they have a fever. But for other youngsters-- the bottom line is don't treat a fever just because it's there.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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When is a fever too high?

A mom wrote in to Fox News asking when is a child's fever too high?

Dr. Manny said, "A fever is usually a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on with your body. For an adult, a fever is usually uncomfortable, but it isn't dangerous until it reaches 103 degrees or higher. But for young children, a slight fever may indicate an infection. Anything over 100.4 degrees is considered a fever, but when it's higher than 103 degrees beware. If the fever is rising fast, they could have a febrile seizure. They could lose consciousness and have convulsions. Though scary for parents, the vast amount of febrile seizures cause no long term effects. You can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but always, always talk to you doctor first. Whatever you do,don't give them a cold bath or rub them down with alcohol. That can be shocking to the system. If at any time the fever isn't going down and your child is lethargic, has a rash or starts vomiting, see your doctor."
What is the highest temperature your children have had?
My oldest had a night of 104 degrees. We went to the emergency room and it eventually went down. It was scary.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Shigella Infection

I just heard about the bacterial infection known as shigellosis today. Kids are most susceptible, so I thought I should pass on the information. Peoria County, Illinois is seeing a high number of cases of the illness right now.

What is Shigella Infection?:

A bacterial infection that typically results in several days of diarrhea and can lead to hospitalization.

Here are the symptoms according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Diarrhea (usually bloody)


• Fever


• Stomach Cramps


• Can cause seizures in kids under 2-years-old


• Symptoms last 5-7 days

How do people catch Shigellosis?

Most Shigella infections are the result of the bacterium passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. (Wow, that's disgusting!)

How is Shigella Infection diagnosed?

Determining that Shigella is the cause of the illness depends on laboratory tests that identify Shigella in the stools of an infected person. These tests are sometimes not performed unless the laboratory is instructed specifically to look for the organism.

What antibiotics are recommended to treat Shigella Infection?:

Ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (also known as Bactrim* or Septra*), nalidixic acid, or ciprofloxacin.

Appropriate treatment kills the Shigella bacteria that might be present in the patient's stools, and shortens the illness. Unfortunately, some Shigella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics and using antibiotics to treat shigellosis can actually make the germs more resistant in the future.

How can we prevent Shigella from spreading?

You guessed it. Simple hand washing with soap and water is our best bet.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen