Severe Fever in Children
Transcript:
Guest: Dr. Tim Givens - Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, MUSC
Host: MUSC
MUSC: This is the time of year when children frequently have colds and fever. Dr. Tim Givens, Medical Director of MUSC’s new pediatric emergency department tells us when an ill child should be brought to the emergency department.
Dr. Tim Givens: If you have a fever, 100.5 or greater, and you’re under a month of age, when you’re brought to the hospital, you’re going to undergo a battery of tests. You’re going to be admitted to the hospital and treated with antibiotics.
MUSC: In older children, most simple colds and fevers can be treated with something like Tylenol. But you should call your doctor if a fever persists, the child looks very ill, or is in pain.
Dr. Tim Givens: Over two months of age, then, generally, it’s safe to treat the fever, see what your response is, and then seek care with your pediatrician.
MUSC: If you’re in doubt, call your doctor, or bring your child to the new MUSC Pediatric Emergency Department for evaluation.
For more information, visit www.muschealth.com/children. This is brought to you by MUSC Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s department stores. Remember, Kohl’s cares for kids.