School is back in session, and that means your organized chaos of work, school and activities has returned once more. That also means that the arrival of seasonal illnesses is here!

It is common at this time of year to have at least one illness sweep through your home, whether it is a virus, stomach bug or some type of infection. One of the most common symptoms across these illnesses is a fever.

Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road if you are concerned about your child’s fever, but read on to learn more about fevers and how they can actually help your child recover faster.

Is Any Sort of Elevated Temperature a Fever?

The baseline we are all familiar with is 98.6 degrees, so it can be alarming to see anything higher or lower than that on the thermometer. However, that is actually normal as our bodies fluctuate a bit throughout the day. A fever is diagnosed when your body temperature reaches 100.4 degrees or higher and stays there.

When your child gets sick, a developing fever actually is a good thing! It means that his or her body is responding properly and is launching its immune response. This elevated temperature makes it harder for the illness to replicate and spread while simultaneously making it easier for the body to fight it off.

Common Illnesses That Spike Fevers

• Influenza
• Ear infections
• Chickenpox
• Respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections

At What Point Should We Go to the Doctor for a Fever?

A typical fever lasts anywhere between a few hours and two days. In this time, make sure your child gets a lot of rest, drinks water and eats when he or she feels up to it. If the fever is making your child feel really sick, you can always offer OTC medication to bring it down. However, if he or she is feeling fine, feel free to let the fever do its thing, and your child may actually feel better faster!

If the fever isn’t going away on its own after three days, reaches 103 degrees or higher or can’t be dropped with medication, come see us. Our team can take a look and see if there are any other underlying reasons for it. In any case, we are here to help you feel better every day of the week.

Symptoms to Watch for During a Fever

• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• A spreading rash
• Seizures
• Stiff neck

Fevers can be frustrating to deal with at home. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road any day of the week.