Fever & Sick Care
Infants under 3 months
Any rectal temperature of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher in a baby under three months is an emergency, whatever else looks fine. Newborns can hide serious illness; they need professional eyes the same day.
At a glance
- Under 3 months: any rectal 100.4 °F / 38 °C or higher is an emergency.
- Small sips constantly; real rest is the treatment, medicine only blunts symptoms.
- Rehydration drink: 1 L water + 6 tsp sugar + ½ tsp salt, fresh batch daily.
- 105–106 °F / 40.5–41 °C+ in anyone = emergency — help now.
- Never aspirin for children or teenagers with viral illness (Reye's syndrome).
Care basics that do almost all the work
- Fluids, fluids, fluids. Small sips constantly beat big glasses rarely, especially with vomiting. Warm broth, diluted juice, oral rehydration drink below.
- Rest real rest. Sleep is the treatment; medicine only blunts symptoms.
- Dress light. A feverish body is already dumping heat — one light layer, light blanket if shivering.
- Fever is a tool. It fights infection. Treat the discomfort, not the number on the thermometer: a child drinking, urinating, and comfortably resting needs no medicine at all.
The rehydration drink
Vomiting and diarrhea kill through salt-and-water loss, not hunger. This formula matches WHO/UNICEF oral rehydration solution and costs pennies:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clean water (boiled and cooled, or treated) | 1 liter / 4 cups / 1 quart |
| Sugar (plain table sugar) | 6 level teaspoons |
| Salt (plain table salt) | ½ level teaspoon |
Mix until fully dissolved. Sip slowly: adults a cup after each loose stool; children sips every few minutes; babies by spoon or syringe, slowly enough not to trigger more vomiting. Make a fresh batch daily. If it must be stored, keep it covered and cool.
Fever numbers and age rules
| Age | Fever threshold | Action line |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 months | 100.4 °F / 38 °C | Emergency — same-day professional care |
| 3–36 months | 102 °F / 38.9 °C+ | Watch hydration closely; medicine for misery, not numbers |
| Older children & adults | 103 °F / 39.4 °C+ | Unresponsive to medicine or lasting 3+ days → professional care |
| Anyone | 105–106 °F / 40.5–41 °C+ | Emergency — cool water sponging, light clothing, help now |
Medicine notes
Dose by weight, not age — tables are on Dosing by Weight, educational only, verify against packaging. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers with viral illness (risk of Reye's syndrome). Never double up combination cold medicines that already contain fever reducers.
Dehydration: the scoreboard
- Doing fine: tears, wet mouth, pale-yellow urine every few hours
- Falling behind: dry sticky mouth, darker urine, fewer bathroom trips, sunken eyes, low energy
- Emergency: no urine for 8+ hours, no tears when crying, skin pinched on the hand stays tented, confusion or limpness — rehydration drink aggressively and get help
Caring safely at home
One sick person, one designated cup, towel, and spoon; wash hands after every contact; ventilate the room. When several people share a small space during a disaster, these small barriers are the difference between one case and everyone catching it.
Grounded in public-domain WHO/CDC/FDA guidance including the standard ORS formula. Educational only — verify doses against packaging and professional advice.