Children at this age are usually prone to infectious diseases because of an unformed immune system. Fever is the body’s response to infectious diseases and is trigged off by the presence of certain chemical signs from pathogens and even from the body’s own defense system called macrophages. At this age, any kind of fever requires a trip to the doctor’s office but if that is not feasible then the symptoms should be considered; however, there are some temperatures that are beyond the threshold of the human body.
Fever is ranked according to grades. Low-grade fever is between the temperature ranges of 100.4–102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (38–39 degrees Centigrade). At this level of fever, there is no danger to the vital systems of the body and is only a problem for the bacteria causing the infection itself. This is a typical fever temperature during a cold or a respiratory tract infection. Depending on the other manifestations of illness like sores or visible signs of infection, a doctor’s trip would be necessary. At moderate-grade fever 102.2–104.0 degrees F (39–40 degrees C), a trip to the doctor is absolutely necessary as this temperature usually indicates the presence of a viral infection. High-grade fever is achieved at 104.0–106.0 degrees F (40–41.1 degrees C) and extremely high fever is any level beyond this. Extremely high fever would require a trip to the emergency room as a temperature beyond this can result in permanent brain damage or even death.
Incase of low-grade fever, one can contain the fever using over the counter acetaminophen. Be absolutely careful not to administer any derivative of salicylic acid as this could cause serious brain and liver problems to your child. You could also try a home remedy made of ginger, which is antipyretic and reduces the fever. Ginger can be administered in the form of tea after mixing dried ginger flakes with boiling water and tea leaves. Higher levels of fever may completely require the use of acetaminophen and this probably has to be combined with the use of antibiotics as directed by your physician. At the high temperature ranges and beyond, as an emergency home measure, you should cool the body down externally as fast as you can, by applying ice in a cold towel. Fevers at this level are caused by some of the more harmful bacteria in the environment. This occurs because the signals to the brain to raise the body temperature are not sent from the body thus leading to a graver situation.