Fever in Toddlers: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Sometimes toddlers get an infection from something they eat or touch or some other way. This leads to them having a high temperature which is known as fever. Fever is not an illness but an effect of some infection which has occurred to the toddler. Fever is often accompanied by discomfort physically, irritation, uneasiness. Most of the time the fever gets cured on its own. It is a natural body defense against infections. 

What are the causes of Fever?

The fever in toddlers is mostly caused by viral or bacterial infections as they are not so immune towards these infections. These infections enter the body through mucous membranes like the nasal passages, mouth, rectum, genital area or skin. Even the cut or irritated area can be home to bacterial and viral infection. 

The doctors insist that the bacterial infections caused due to broken gums might be a possible cause for fever in toddlers. The toddlers, most of the times, like to grind their teeth against rough objects while teething which expose the tender gums to bacterial and viral infections and thus leading to fever.

What are the Symptoms of Fever?

The high temperature may not cause any problem but the symptoms accompanied by fever such as diarrhea or vomiting can cause a lot of discomfort and uneasiness for the toddler. The viral and bacterial infections cause symptoms which are rashes, runny nose, breathing problems, vomiting, decreased appetite and diarrhea along with high fever. 

How to know when your toddler has a fever?

If you touch or kiss your toddler’s forehead, you can feel whether the temperature is hotter than the normal temperature. A fever is the body’s way of fighting against infections. You can take the temperature of your toddler using a thermometer and get the correct idea whether he has a fever or not. You can place the thermometer in the armpit or below the tongue in your child’s mouth to take the correct temperature.

How to know when your toddler’s fever is serious?

The behavior of the toddler is to be noted. If he is very active, playing and having fun, even in high fever then there is nothing to worry about. Sometimes the activities the toddlers play make them hot. When the toddler has been playing for a long time or when he wakes up from a nap he becomes hot, which is not a fever. The temperature of the body increases mostly in the late afternoons and early evening. Due to this most parents consult the doctor during this time when they find a spike in their toddler’s temperature. 

How to take care of your toddler with fever?

When a toddler has a fever, the best way to take care of them is to make them as much comfortable as they can be. The steps however that can be followed are as follows:-

-The toddler should be provided with lots of fluids.

-If the toddler is breastfeeding then regular breastfeeds must be given.

-You should keep an eye open for dehydration which includes dry mouth, no tears and sunken eyes and in case of babies, less wet nappies.

-The fever should be kept in check from time to time mostly at night.

-You should avoid putting too many clothes over your toddler as that does not help in reducing the fever but makes him uncomfortable. 

Treatment: How to prevent infection in toddlers?

This is not always possible to prevent the toddler from viral and bacterial infections. But we can follow some measures so as to try to prevent the toddlers from getting infected. These measures are as follows:

-You should always wash your hands before and after diaper changing.

-You should always wash your hands before handling the toddler.

-You should wash your and the toddler’s hands after coming back from any public place.

-You should keep the toddler’s favorite toys clean and his favorite places dirt and dust free.

-You should keep a sufficient amount of distance from the toddler if you have any cold or fever.

-The caregivers should also be trained in the way you do.

When should the doctor be considered for treatment?

-If you are worried about your toddler’s fever then call the doctor whenever you want as you are the best judge to when your toddler needs a doctor. 

-In general, if the toddler is active and playing and doing his favorite things, taking in fluids, then there is no need to call the doctor. If there is a high fever, which does not come down even after twenty-four hours then the doctor should be called. 

-If the toddler has more than 102 degrees of temperature then the doctor should be called immediately.

-If the toddler excretes less urine, has a pale face then the doctor should be summoned.

-If the toddler has a rash then the doctor should be concerned with a rash when teamed up with high fever often leads to bacterial infection.

-The toddler has breathing problems, which mean he is breathing faster than normal then the doctor should be summoned as this might mean he has pneumonia.

How does the doctor treat your toddler?

If the toddler is taking in fluids properly and is alert and active then the doctor mostly advises to wait twenty-four hours and then bring the toddler to him. This is because a fever is mostly the first symptom of any kind of illness so the doctor might not find anything if he treats the toddler too early. It depends on how much uncomfortable the toddler is as then the doctor advises to give him children’s ibuprofen, to bring down the fever.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.