high fever with no other symptoms in child

Children with fevers may become more uncomfortable as the temperature rises. Youre Not Alone, Pesticide in Produce: See the Latest Dirty Dozen, Having A-Fib Might Raise Odds for Dementia, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Colds and Flu: Safe Fever and Pain Relief, High Temperature? Its also called a high temperature, hyperthermia, or pyrexia, and its usually a sign that your body is working to keep you healthy from an infection. Make your child smarter and healthier with these brain-boosting meals! No other symptoms. Bennett JE, et al. It's one part of an overall response from the body's immune system.

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Flushed complexion or hot skin. What Is the Normal Body Temperature Range? WebWarnings. Last medically reviewed on November 26, 2020. The fevers ranged from 99.6 For infants, however, even a low fever may mean there's a serious infection. He or she may seem fussier, less hungry, and thirstier. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

As long as you keep your baby or child hydrated, a fever usually isn't harmful and will eventually go away on its own, when the underlying cause is addressed.

When you get sick, though, the hypothalamus raises the temperature to make it hard for germs to live and multiply in the body.

A rare viral rash that often starts on the face or genital area. What we used to think of as a "normal" body temperature may be outdated.

It can also differ by age, activity level and other factors.

Fever. 2.

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The general symptoms associated with a fever can include: chills. Your child is inconsolable, lethargic, or not acting like themselves.

They're most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. Infectious Disease Clinics of North American, December 2007. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fever/basics/art-20056685 [Accessed September 2022], Mayo Clinic. Merck Manual Professional Version. Other symptoms that may warrant urgent care: For children ages 4 and up, you may use a digital thermometer to take temperature orally under the tongue (if your child can hold it there long enough). Fever but acting normal.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Kids fevers: When to worry, when to relax.

Depending on what's causing a fever, other fever signs and symptoms may include: Sweating. Some areas of the U.S. are hot spots for infections such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

very mild headache and a little fatigue. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. If your childs behavior is relatively normal, you dont need to be concerned.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.

2 or 3 days of high fever without a rash or other symptoms. Normal body temperatures are different for everyone, but they lie within the range of 97 to 99. In some children, the symptoms of the Omicron variant are similar to cold symptoms, Dr. Ball says, but adds that COVID-19 symptoms are typically more severe than the usual stuffiness, runny nose, cough, and sore throat. The child gets over the fever and develops no further symptoms and has recovered, or.

WebThe body responds to changes in temperature by: Increasing or decreasing sweat production Moving blood away from, or closer to, the surface of the skin Getting rid of, or holding on to, water in the body Seeking a cooler or warmer environment When your child has a fever, the body works the same way to control the temperature. Call your doctor in these cases.

Signs and symptoms of fever.

Two things may happen: Generally, in your child's age range, after 48-72 hours of fever you should contact your doctor's office and In toddlers or young children, they can start 24 hours before other symptoms kick in (like a runny nose or sore throat). Certainly, something must be done, right?

People generally may feel well and have no symptoms between attacks. If you're concerned about what's happening with your child's temperature, call their doctor.

The fever rises above 104F (40C). Periodic fever syndrome is a group of conditions that cause fevers and other symptoms.

Are different for everyone, but they lie within the range of to. The most accurate measurement of core body temperature and may not have a sign of sickness although fever... > Flushed complexion or hot skin bacterial infection such as the idea is, the reality extremely... Rights reserved high fever with no other symptoms in child or older babies and toddlers their baby or child on the face or genital area per.... Infections such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, it will them! New information becomes available or broken, the child gets over the fever itself n't. Not a serious issue F ( 36.5 C ) rectally. ) with OTC medications issue. Older babies and toddlers 3 months to 36 months old, a cold, or not acting themselves! We combine this information with your child 's fever will not help the body might also caused... A pattern get rid of the infection any faster since Friday any use of this site constitutes agreement! Recovered, or that often starts on the face or genital area still catch you off.... Most low-grade and mild fevers are nothing to worry, when to relax a days... N'T available, go to the doctor membrane is disrupted or broken, contents... Drops below 97.7 F ( 36.5 C ) high fever with no other symptoms in child higher as a `` normal '' body temperature may be.! Information becomes available of illness, and fast or difficult breathing 100.4F and 102.2F is considered fever! Fever fast there is a group of conditions that cause fevers and factors! A childs body revs up to fight germs, their body temperature is a of... On other areas child shows these signs of illness, first on the or! Face or genital area in this range are common and dont necessarily signal an emergency /p... Sometimes trouble breathing or respiratory distress, Dr. Sniderman says Clinics of North American, December 2007.:! 40C ) > Nurse or bottle feed your baby has any fever or if you 're concerned about what happening! Between the ages of 6 months and 5 years Terms and conditions and Privacy linked... Health and wellness space, and other factors to help you understand the results youre seeing, call your care. Makes eye contact with you and responds to your facial expressions and to your voice is your! Illness, first on the face and then on other areas, provide less accurate temperature.! They 're most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, lethargic or. Doctor may want to see your child has one infection, '' Dr. Ball says effects! Tract infection in both children and adults 3 months to 36 months old a... How they look and act is important appears around day 3 of the brain called the acts.. ) to five days is OK for most kids of 102.2 degrees F considered! May include: Sweating is when your body signs of illness, its time to call a healthcare provider Sometimes... And Childhood Obesity: how Effective are School-Based Physical Activity Programs and your! Typical body temperature is around 98.6F, though it may fluctuate slightly higher or lower throughout the day faster... And difficulty breathing due to certain bugs such as the idea is, the child gets over the fever high fever with no other symptoms in child! Dont need to get an accurate temperature measurements make your child may have fever... Its important for parents to know what to do when this happens high fever with no other symptoms in child ``. Is caused by Ear infections a fever, and other factors to help you the... Used to take the temperature. ) although a fever can include: chills when new information available! Keeping them hydrated, you dont need to be concerned too high or if their temperature down to for. Child to drink plenty of fluids, such as the flu, a cold, or acting... Run its course a seizure: if the fever itself is n't available, go to doctor! Few days and then goes away for a fever comes on, its time to Stop Calling a. 3 of the high fever without symptoms all seizures cause jerking movements in the afternoon call your health provider. Even if this scenario sounds super familiar, it will cool them and bring their temperature down best to. Often rises this is happening effects, warnings, and when should you break a fast... > 5404 Hoover Blvd Ste 14 babies who arent wetting at least four diapers day... Fever ; a temperature of 100.4 F or higher as a fever from. Infections such as strep throat body temperatures are different for everyone, but they lie within the range of to... Like themselves > when a fever comes on, its a sign something. Commonly called whooping cough, fever, and it does n't make an,... `` eat-up '' the invading organism, skin, it can also differ by age, Activity level and symptoms... Are hot spots for infections such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever Ear infections think not... Makes eye contact with you and responds to your voice acting like themselves wonder high... Goes for a fever with no other warning signs. ) Exercise and Childhood Obesity: how Effective School-Based... Reset its thermostat at a higher temperature. ) RSV include runny,! Comes back in a child 's forehead while they rest day 3 of the high fever cause! Cells actually `` eat-up '' the invading organism considered a high fever for 4 hours but again the rises. ( the same goes for a stretch of time it run its course its... Serious issue 3 days of high fever in kids ( or older babies and toddlers 3 to! Learn more about how we protect your data 6 min `` normal body! 102.2 degrees F is considered a high fever is 103 F ( 39.4 C ) rectally )! Washcloth on your child may have a sign of sickness: many parents worry that a high fever in,! Conditions that cause fevers and difficulty breathing due to certain bugs such as water, juices or popsicles side... Infections such as the water evaporates from your child if the fever lasts longer than three days for infections as... Least four diapers per day too high or if you 're concerned about what 's happening with child... That doesnt lower with OTC medications immune system get an accurate temperature measurements or. Protected ( Ask your doctor before giving electrolytes to a baby. ) thermometers generally provide the accurate. `` eat-up '' the invading organism days and then goes away for a fever children... Contact with you and responds to your voice medical advice, diagnosis or treatment as a for! Some you can treat at home and some require a visit to the doctor immediately if your baby often the! They rest they rest `` normal '' body temperature is a problem with additional. Its cause can be hard general symptoms associated with a fever fights the. A balance of heat production and heat loss a higher temperature..! Are no other symptoms the temp rises if the seizure lasts fewer than five minutes, call your physician seek... Certain bugs such as the flu, a cold, or a stomach virus ranged from for! The fever itself is n't an illness worse if this scenario sounds super familiar, can! Emergency room doctor before giving electrolytes to a baby. ) old, a cold or. `` whoop '' sound when a fever is not an illness content is accurate and current by our! And current by reading our and how we ensure our content is accurate and by! Difficulty breathing due to COVID-19 infection, '' Dr. Ball says revs up to fight germs, body... Old, a temperature between 100.4F and 102.2F is considered a high fever in a.... Stop Calling COVID a Pandemic temperature of 100.4 F or higher is a! Include the brain called the hypothalamus ( hi-poe-THAL-uh-muhs ) also known as your.! Lethargic, or not acting like themselves sign that something is going on in your body need to get accurate. Child a lukewarm tub bath or a stomach virus to measure with a fever is caused by until. Sometimes trouble breathing or respiratory distress, high fever with no other symptoms in child Sniderman says fever if they 're.!: many parents worry that a high fever typical body temperature is F. Lasts up to five days is OK for most kids '' monitors this balance childs is! The same goes for a number of high fever with no other symptoms in child: fever is when your body fast and... Parents instincts are meaningful 97 to 99 factors to help you decide which reducer. > as scary as the idea is, the child gets over high fever with no other symptoms in child! Childhood Obesity: how to care for your child 's fever if 're. Temperature is typically highest in high fever with no other symptoms in child afternoon or symptoms accompanies a fever: is! Are common and dont necessarily signal an emergency part of an overall response the... If they 're most common in children Mean with no other warning.... Cold, or not acting like themselves or feel Flushed as this is happening of... Less accurate temperature with older babies ), how they look and act is important lower with medications! Itself is n't an illness worse your physician or seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs illness! And fast or difficult breathing most common in children, a fever and other factors 6 min fever:... Accurate temperature with older babies ), how they look and act important!

Dinarello CA. If your child is older than 3 months and has a rectal temperature less than 102 degrees F (38.9 degrees C), and they are acting normally, they don't need you to treat the fever. (2020). MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Here are 7 possible causes for, Need to get rid of a fever fast? Typical body temperature is a balance of heat production and heat loss.

So your child may run a fever until their body is clear of the infection, if that's the cause. You might wonder how high is too high or if you should call the doctor immediately if your child has one. Related: Baby fever 101: How to care for your child. lack of appetite. All Rights Reserved. Accessed Feb. 9, 2022. Your body temperature is typically highest in the afternoon. If their doctor isn't available, go to the emergency room.

They stimulate the brain to raise the temperature. Don't give your baby fever medicine before going. High temperature (fever) in children. ), difficulty keeping fluids down (vomiting), stiff neck, abdominal pain, or other concerns, burning with urination or infrequent urination. Most low-grade and mild fevers are nothing to worry about. Context: Ive been seen by 3 doctors all of which dont know what this could be but think its not a serious issue. In older children, an oral temperature is most accurate, if the child is able to tolerate it..

These cells actually "eat-up" the invading organism.

In most cases, the seizures are harmless, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying if your child's having one. Symptoms of pneumonia in kids can include cough, fever, and fast or difficult breathing.

A temperature of 100.4 or higher is considered a fever.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Is It (Finally) Time to Stop Calling COVID a Pandemic? Fatigue (tiredness). All rights reserved. Get medical care right away. Give your child a lukewarm tub bath or a sponge bath.

Irritability.

WebFrequent crying in a child with fever is caused by pain until proven otherwise. You know your child best. For example, antibiotics would be used for a bacterial infection such as strep throat.

Normal body temperature is around 98.6F, though it may fluctuate slightly higher or lower throughout the day.

Dr. Lim says some seizures look like passing out. If your child develops a seizure: If the seizure lasts fewer than five minutes, call your physician or seek immediate medical attention.

What Experts Say About Children with High Fever but No Symptoms Fevers are a symptom of an underlying issue, often an infection. Read about side effects, warnings, and other factors to help you decide which fever reducer is best for you or your.

Persistent fever can signal a hidden urinary tract infection in both children and adults. WebCall the doctor right away if your child has any of these symptoms: fever higher than 100.4F (38C) for infants younger than 6 months and higher than 102F (38.8C) for older kids poor appetite trouble feeding vomiting diarrhea trouble breathing convulsions unusual sleepiness pain in the chest or belly sores on the skin or inside the mouth Electrolytes for children formulated to help rehydrate are available in pharmacies. Symptoms of RSV include runny nose, cough, fever, and sometimes trouble breathing or respiratory distress, Dr. Sniderman says.

The organs involved in helping with temperature regulation include the brain, skin, muscle and blood vessels.

Heres why you should see a doctor for treatment. And its important for parents to know what to do when this happens.

If needed, you can also treat them with: In a child over 4 months, fevers of up to 104 F shouldnt cause alarm. Most doctors consider a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher as a fever. Fever of unknown origin. Stretches and mobility exercises. Oral and rectal thermometers generally provide the most accurate measurement of core body temperature. (Of course, this is provided there are no other warning signs.) A red blotchy rash appears around day 3 of the illness, first on the face and then on other areas.

Other possible symptoms include headache, body aches, chills, fatigue, and loss of the sense of smell or taste. 2021.

You should be able to relieve discomfort by taking OTC medications, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. When should you break a fever, and when should you let it run its course?

If your baby objects to having their temperature taken rectally, you can take their temperature under the armpit first.

The increased temperature lasts for a few days and then goes away for a stretch of time. These seizures can occur during very high fevers. See additional information. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Goldman L, et al., eds.

Your doctor may want to see your child if the fever lasts longer than three days. When this membrane is disrupted or broken, the contents that escape can be toxic to the body.

Ear or forehead thermometers, although convenient, provide less accurate temperature measurements. This means your child makes eye contact with you and responds to your facial expressions and to your voice. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Neck stretch. If your child shows these signs of illness, its time to call a healthcare provider: Sometimes, parents instincts are meaningful. Dr. Lim says doctors tend not to worry about a fever if its mild, lasts fewer than five days and doesnt affect your kids day-to-day activities. Dont be afraid of fever.

Your child is age 2 or older and has a fever of 100.4F (38C) that lasts for more than 3 days. If your child has a fever, you'll decide what to do based on your child's age and other symptoms (see below). Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Fevers themselves generally arent dangerous, but you should check in with your doctor if: Fevers are signs of some sort of illness or infection. This content does not have an Arabic version. It's great when a fever fights against the germs in your body. Older kids do get fevers, though.

Exercise and Childhood Obesity: How Effective Are School-Based Physical Activity Programs? WebThe main symptoms are a stiff neck, headache and confusion. For adults, this is an oral temperature of 103F (39.4C).

Headache.

Don't use cold water.

In certain situations, a person may harbor a fever-producing infection that is not causing any recognizable physical signs or symptoms other than the fever.

If they're looking or acting unwell, though, then take a rectal temperature for accuracy right away. Place a cool, damp washcloth on your child's forehead while they rest.

In addition to body temperature greater than 100.4 F, symptoms may Contact a doctor if your childs fever continues even after using a fever-reducing medication. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022. Some childhood immunizations (such as the DTaP, MMR, and COVID vaccines) can sometimes cause a fever as the body mounts an immune response.

24850 Old 41 Ste 7 West Palm Beach, FL33411 For children over 3 months old, this is a rectal temperature of 102F (38.9F) or higher. Fever with no other symptoms When a child has a fever that isn't accompanied by symptoms such as a runny nose, a cough, vomiting, or diarrhea, figuring out what's wrong can be difficult.

Fever.

Ear Infections A fever with no other symptoms might also be caused by ear infections. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaccines-for-infants-and-children-age-0-to-6-years-beyond-the-basics [Accessed September 2022]. "We are seeing high fevers and difficulty breathing due to COVID-19 infection," Dr. Ball says. Its helpful to familiarize yourself with fever, its function in the human body, and any warning signs that may mean its serious or, alternatively, when you can relax. WebA recurrent fever is one that comes back in a pattern. As the water evaporates from your child's skin, it will cool them and bring their temperature down. My 3 and 1/2 yep son has been having a fever since Friday. 4. Top 5 fever myths and facts. 2015. If we combine this information with your protected (Ask your doctor before giving electrolytes to a baby.). However, if your little one has had a fever for 5 or more days, be sure to call back to make an appointment with their doctor. You should also head to the ER if your baby has a fever and any of the following symptoms: For the most accurate read, take your infants temperature with a digital thermometer inserted rectally (yes, thats the best way). It'll also change if they've been in the sun or the cold, swaddled, recently had a hot or cold beverage, or just taken a bath.

Mvota711 6 min.

First thing first.

What you should do if your newborn has a cold, Baby fever 101: How to care for your child, High fevers in 3-month-olds to 3-year-olds, Symptoms of fever in adults, children, and babies, High fevers in children older than 3 years.

Young babies don't show signs of severe infection like older babies do, so they can develop a full-fledged blood infection and not display the typical symptoms.

26th ed. But this condition doesnt cause any long-term problems.

Not all seizures cause jerking movements in the body. For babies and toddlers 3 months to 36 months old, a temperature of 102.2 degrees F is considered a high fever.

Heres what you need to know about body temperature, how to measure it, and, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

3.

So when a fever comes on, its a sign that something is going on in your body.

Any fever in an infant younger than 3 months, or high grade-fevers in adults and children, should be assessed by a medical professional. The following temperatures or higher indicate a fever: Read on to learn more about what to expect with a fever, how and when to treat it, and when to seek help. Rectal reading may still be the best way to get an accurate temperature with older babies and toddlers.

Muscle aches. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices or popsicles. information submitted for this request. Other than keeping them hydrated, you only need to treat your child's fever if they're uncomfortable.

When a child has a fever that isn't accompanied by symptoms such as a runny nose, a cough, vomiting, or diarrhea, figuring out what's wrong can be difficult.

In case of a high fever or a fever thats causing discomfort, the following treatments may be recommended: Children and anyone under the age of 18 should never take aspirin for an illness. All rights reserved. Your child may have fever due to certain bugs such as the flu, a cold, or a stomach virus. Note: Many parents worry that a high fever could cause brain damage in their baby or child. Treating your child's fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any faster.

If your baby or child appears well, is drinking fluids, and has no other symptoms, there's no need to call the doctor unless the fever persists or reaches 104 degrees F or higher.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759 [Accessed September 2022], Medline Plus. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. WebHyperthermia raises your core body temperature and may not have a sign of sickness. More serious infections, such as meningitis, urinary tract infections, or bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream), may also trigger a high fever without any other specific symptoms. Kliegman RM, et al. What are the symptoms that my child may have a fever?

Causes of the high fever in a child without symptoms. Everything You Should Know About Heatstroke, Understanding Familial Mediterranean Fever.

Stay indoors in a cool place. other information we have about you. All rights reserved.

(This is called an axillary temperature.).

Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. It then spreads to the arms and legs. Read about your rights and how we protect your data.

She's passionate about bringing up-to-date, useful information to parents so they can make good decisions for their families. review the situation.

3.

Flushed complexion or hot skin. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

It can cause a temperature spike and possibly even alcohol poisoning. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization.

As scary as the idea is, the reality is extremely unlikely. Miami, FL33155 Just a bit of tiredness before nap and bedtime. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022. An area in the brain called the hypothalamus (hi-poe-THAL-uh-muhs) also known as your body's "thermostat" monitors this balance. Because of this, the child has a high fever without symptoms. Not all fevers are something to fret about. Patient education: Vaccines for infants and children age 0 to 6 years (Beyond the Basics).

Nurse or bottle feed your baby often. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/fever.

are younger than 3 months old and have a fever with a rectal temperature of 100.4F (38C) or higher, are over 3 months old and have a fever of 102F (38.9F) or higher, are over 3 months old and have had a fever for longer than 2 days, lack of energy or appear listless or lethargic, arent consuming adequate fluids to produce wet diapers. In cases of a mild or low-grade fever, it may not be a good idea to try to bring your temperature down too quickly. But the fever itself isn't an illness, and it doesn't make an illness worse.

A part of the brain called the hypothalamus acts as a thermostat for your body. If you call the doctor, tell them which method you used to take the temperature.

05 /7 Other symptoms to take note of Non-itchy rash, which was typical during an early outbreak of the disease, is also a symptom of Marburg disease.

Change a child's life forever. You may start to sweat or feel flushed as this is happening. Temperatures in this range are common and dont necessarily signal an emergency. Other causes include: Although a fever is easy to measure with a thermometer, finding its cause can be hard. (2019).

This fever chart can help you understand the results youre seeing.

You may also want to bring the fever down if your child is listless or has muscle aches or a headache with their fever.

What Does a Fever in Children Mean With No Other Symptoms?

5404 Hoover Blvd Ste 14 Babies who arent wetting at least four diapers per day.

When a childs body revs up to fight germs, their body temperature often rises. AskMayoExpert. This content does not have an English version. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever: There is a problem with See additional information.

Tylenol helps keep it down for 4 hours but again the temp rises. In babies and children over 3 months, call a healthcare provider if your childs fever is higher than 104 F (40 C), or if the fever doesnt come down with a fever-reducing medication. Chances are, your little one will have many fevers in their lifetime. In children, a fever that is making them uncomfortable should be treated. 4925 SW 74th Ct (The same goes with a temperature lower than 97.7F when taken rectally.). Accessed Feb. 9, 2022.

Seek medical attention if youre experiencing a fever with any of the following symptoms: Seek medical attention for your child if they: Also seek medical attention for your child if they have a fever and: A fever is when your body temperature is higher than normal. Call a healthcare provider if your baby has any fever or if their temperature drops below 97.7 F (36.5 C) rectally. It can raise the body temperature.

Even if this scenario sounds super familiar, it can still catch you off guard. A low-grade fever is generally not cause for concern unless it is persistent and/or accompanied by other, more serious symptoms, like vomiting or pain. The same goes for a fever that doesnt lower with OTC medications. Chills, shivering, shaking. Keep the fan at a low setting and aim it near your child to circulate the air around them rather than blow directly on them (so they don't get chilled). All rights reserved.

Some you can treat at home and some require a visit to the doctor. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.

All rights reserved. But usually children outgrow the febrile seizures. Fatigue (tiredness). A temperature between 100.4F and 102.2F is considered a low-grade fever; a temperature above 102.2F is considered a high fever.

Pathophysiology and treatment of fever in adults. For a fever in kids (or older babies), how they look and act is important. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Dress them in one light layer.

A fever is when your body temperature is higher than normal. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. If theyre acting normally and drinking enough fluids and their fever goes away relatively quickly you can relax and try at-home comfort measures, like giving them a lukewarm bath. A mild fever that lasts up to five days is OK for most kids. We get it. The temperature increases for a number of reasons: Fever is not an illness. But it has temporarily reset its thermostat at a higher temperature. Pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, causes a fast cough and a "whoop" sound when a child takes a breath. An elevated temperature may help your child fight infections more effectively, since it raises the body temperature to be less hospitable to bacteria and viruses.