Fever

A fever is an abnormally high temperature. In children, the normal temperature range is from 99.5 to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 to 38 degrees Celsius). A fever has many causes, which can be either mild or serious. Pain and inflammation can cause fevers. Fever can also be a side effect of medications. Some serious causes of fever are urinary tract infections, bacterial infections, and parasitic infections (like flu and malaria). In children, fevers can cause muscle contractions, trembling, sweating, and chills. Fevers in children may also cause febrile seizures, but they can be managed and controlled with first aid procedures and medications. In some cases, fever causes death in infants. Treating the cause of the fever will help the fever come down, and a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help reduce the fever further if needed.