PARENT CARE:  FEVER, MYTHS ABOUT MYTH:  All fevers are bad for children. FACT:  Fevers turn on the body's immune system.   Fevers are one of the body's protective mechanisms. Most fevers are good for children and help the body fight infection.   MYTH:  Fevers cause brain damage or fevers above 104°F (40°C) are dangerous. FACT:  Fevers with infections don't cause brain damage.  Only body temperatures above 108°F (42.2°C) can cause brain damage.  Fevers only go this high with high environmental temperatures (e.g., confined to a closed car). MYTH:  Anyone can have a febrile seizure. FACT:  Only 4% of children can have a febrile seizure. MYTH:  Febrile seizures are harmful. FACT:  Febrile seizures are scary to watch, but they usually stop within 5 minutes.  They cause no permanent harm. MYTH:  All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine. FACT:  Fevers only need to be treated if they cause discomfort.  Usually fevers don't cause any discomfort until they go above 102° or 103°F (39° or 39.5°C). MYTH:  Without treatment, fevers will keep going higher. FACT:  Wrong.  Fevers from infection top out at 105° or 106°F (40.6° or 41.1°C), due to a thermostat in the brain. MYTH:  With treatment, fevers should come down to normal. FACT:  With treatment, fevers usually come down 2° or 3°F (1° or 1.5°C). MYTH:  If the fever doesn't come down (if you can't "break the fever"), the cause is serious. FACT:  Fevers that don't respond to fever medicine can be caused by viruses or bacteria.  It doesn't relate to the seriousness of the infection. MYTH:  If the fever is high, the cause is serious. FACT:  If your child looks very sick, the cause is serious. MYTH:  The exact number of the temperature is very important. FACT:  How your child looks is what's important. MYTH:  Oral temperatures 98.7° to 100°F (37.1° to 37.8°C) are low-grade fevers. FACT:  Oral temperatures 98.7° to 100°F (37.1° to 37.8°C) are normal temperature variations--often peaking in the late afternoon and evening.  For rectal temperatures, normal elevations are 99.5° to 100.3°F (37.5° to 37.9°C). Back to Top Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2005 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP Reviewed 8/2005 Revised 7/2005 View Index of Topics