What to Expect During a Pediatric Visit for Fever

When your child has a fever, you want your child to feel better quickly. Visiting a pediatrician can help your child be more comfortable and quickly recover from a fever. Dr. Zavala-Spinetti at Edinburg Children’s Clinic offers a wide range of pediatric medicine services, including diagnosing and treating fever. She has two convenient office locations in Edinburg and McAllen, TX.

What You Need To Know About Fever in Children

Fever is a common childhood condition. It can be mild and a side effect of a cold or the flu. It can also indicate an infection, such as strep throat or an ear infection.

You may be able to treat a mild fever by following a few simple tips. You can try:

• Having your child take infant or children’s Tylenol
• Giving your child a sponge bath with cool water
• Applying cold washcloths to your child’s skin
• Having your child suck on popsicles

You should seek out a pediatrician if your child has a fever that is:

• 100.4 F degrees or higher, if your child is under 4 months old
• 102 degrees or higher, if your child is over 4 months old
• Lasting longer than 2 to 3 days

A pediatric visit is also recommended if the fever is accompanied by:

• A rash or bruising
• Shortness of breath
• Nonstop crying
• A stiff neck or seizure
• Pain while urinating
• Decrease urination
• Significant vomiting

When you bring your child to see the pediatrician, during the visit the pediatrician will:

• Complete a comprehensive physical examination
• Check your child’s temperature, respiration, and other vital signs
• Make a record of your child’s symptoms
• Order laboratory testing if necessary, to check for an underlying illness or condition
• Order imaging studies if necessary, to aid in diagnosis

After a thorough examination, your pediatrician may prescribe medications, rest, palliative treatment, hydration, and other options to help your child recover from a fever.

Want To Know More About Fever in Children?

To learn more about what to expect during a pediatric appointment for fever, call Dr. Zavala-Spinetti at Edinburg Children’s Clinic. You can reach her in the McAllen, TX, office by calling (956) 331-6063 or in Edinburg, TX, by calling (956) 682-4500, so call today.