Definition

• Rectal temperature above 100.4° F (38.0° C)
• Oral temperature above 99.5° F (37.5° C)
• Axillary (armpit) temperature above 99.0° F (37.2° C)
• Pacifier temperature above 100° F (38.0° C)  (New digital electronic ones are accurate)
• Ear (tympanic) temperature above 100.4° F (38.0° C) (Note: Not reliable for under 6 months old.)
• Temporal artery (TA) temperature above 100.4° F (38.0° C) (Note: more reliable than tympanic thermometers, but not to be used for children under 6 months old)
• Use this guideline if fever is your child's only symptom

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Other symptom is present with the fever, see that topic (e.g., COLDS, COUGH, SORE THROAT, EARACHE, SINUS PAIN, DIARRHEA, VOMITING, RASH - WIDESPREAD AND CAUSE UNKNOWN).
• Fever onset within 48 hours of receiving vaccine, see IMMUNIZATION REACTIONS
• Fever onset 6-12 days after measles vaccine OR 17-28 days after chickenpox vaccine, see IMMUNIZATION REACTIONS