Why a Child’s Fever Keeps Coming Back
Recurring Fever: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
When your child's fever keeps bouncing back even after medication, it's completely normal to feel worried. The good news? Recurring fevers are actually very common and usually mean your child's immune system is doing its job fighting off an infection.
What's going on?
Think of fever like your child's internal alarm system. When their body detects germs, it cranks up the temperature to help fight them off. This process isn't always smooth or linear, which is why fevers often come and go in waves.
Most childhood illnesses, especially viral infections like colds or flu, cause fevers that spike and drop over several days. The fever might disappear for a few hours after you give acetaminophen or ibuprofen, then return as the medication wears off. This back-and-forth pattern can continue for 3 to 5 days, sometimes longer.
It's frustrating to watch, but this on-and-off fever pattern doesn't mean the medication isn't working or that your child is getting sicker. It simply means their body is still fighting the infection.
What you might notice
- Fever comes back 4 to 6 hours after giving medication
- Temperature swings between normal and high throughout the day
- Your child feels better when fever breaks, then cranky when it returns
- Fever continues for 3 to 5 days total
- Other symptoms like runny nose, cough, or sore throat
- Appetite comes and goes with the fever pattern
What helps at home
Keep your child comfortable and focus on preventing dehydration. Offer plenty of fluids like water, breast milk, or diluted fruit juice. Popsicles and ice chips work well too if they're not interested in drinking.
Dress them in light clothing and keep the room temperature comfortable. You can give age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen following package directions, but remember these medications treat discomfort, not the underlying illness.
Don't wake a sleeping child to give fever medication unless they seem very uncomfortable. Rest is one of the best medicines right now.
When to worry
Head to the emergency room if your child has trouble breathing, won't wake up easily, has a stiff neck, or seems severely ill even when their fever breaks.
Call your doctor or text Arlo if the fever lasts more than 5 days, your child isn't drinking fluids, seems dehydrated, or you're concerned about other symptoms. For babies under 3 months, any fever needs medical attention right away.
The takeaway
Recurring fevers are your child's body working hard to get better. You're doing everything right by keeping them comfortable and watching for warning signs. You've got this.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [Fever and temperature taking](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/feverandtemperature_taking)
- [Fever in children](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=30&language=english)
- [When your child has a fever](https://www.ontario.ca/page/when-your-child-has-fever)