I have written a brochure on this topic that should be available in the clinic. Basically, there is much unnecessary fear of fever in children. Fever is actually beneficial, helping the immune system to mobilize faster in fighting off the infection. Fever does not cause brain damage. Febrile seizures can occur but they are generally harmless and occur in only 3% of children between 6 months and 3 years of age. Teething does not cause fever. Treatment to lower the fever does not make the disease go away, although it does help your child to be less irritable. Don’t think that you should not treat a fever in your child before coming into the doctor so we can see how high it is. It is a lot easier to examine a child who is not irritable with high fever. I will believe you if you tell me the fever was high at home.

Dr. Stephen Robinson