What causes fever in children?
Most children’s fevers are caused by infections of different types. Here are some of the causes of childhood fever at various ages: Newborn (birth to 1 month): Always call your doctor if your new baby has a fever (a rectal temperature higher than 38.1°C [degrees Centigrade] or 100.6°F [degrees Fahrenheit]). Fever in babies this young is usually caused by an infection. But fevers can also be caused by the baby not drinking enough liquids (dehydration), by overdressing the baby, or by the baby’s reaction to a hot room. Infants (1 month to 1 year): Fever in infants is often caused by respiratory infections, such as colds, ear infections, and tonsillitis. Your baby also may have a slight fever or localized pain at the injection site after he or she gets immunizations (“baby shots”), given to protect your baby from childhood disease. Preschoolers (1 year to 5 years): The most common fever-causing infections are tonsillitis, sore throats, ear infections, and bronchitis. Diseases such as meas
