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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Medical Symptoms > Fever in Children: Symptoms & Signs
      Category : Health Centers > Children's Health

Fever in Children

Fever in Children | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Attribution


What other signs and symptoms are associated with this symptom?

The signs and symptoms of a fever depend on what is causing it. At first, a fever can cause a chill. When the brain raises the body's "thermostat," the body responds by shivering to raise the temperature. Shivering produces heat in the body. Once the temperature goes up, the person often feels warm. When the fever goes away, the person may start to sweat.

Signs of infection that may accompany a fever in children include the following:

  • breathing difficulties, including grunting
  • cough
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • irritability
  • joint pain
  • lack of social response, such as a smile in an infant
  • lethargy, meaning the child is listless and doesn't move around normally
  • muscle aches
  • nausea and vomiting
  • painful urination
  • rash
  • weak or high-pitched cry in infants
  • In judging how ill a child is, the height of the fever is not the most important factor. Parents also need to look at the other symptoms. They have to take into account their child's alertness and general appearance. These elements can all help a parent gauge how sick the child is. An exception is a fever in an infant under 2 months old. In such cases, parents should always call the healthcare provider.


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    Fever in Children: Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

     

    Fever in Children: Diagnosis & Tests

    Author: John Wegmann, MD
    Reviewer: William M. Boggs, MD
    Date Reviewed: 08/20/01









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    Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006