When your child has a fever with symptoms that involve the brain and
nervous system, the fever may be sign of a serious infection. Symptoms of a
serious infection may include:
- A severe headache,
neck pain or stiffness, and
fussiness.
- Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.
- Acting
confused or struggling with you for no reason.
- A bulging soft spot
(fontanel) on a baby's head when the baby is not crying.
A fever and symptoms of infection in or around a joint may mean your
child has a serious muscle, joint, or bone condition, such as
osteomyelitis or
infectious arthritis. Symptoms include:
- New swelling.
- Severe
pain.
- Sudden redness.
- Warm to the touch in or around a
joint.
- Bone pain.
- Painful or limited movement of
joints.
- Drainage of pus.
A child who has a fever and any signs of a serious muscle or bone
infection needs immediate medical evaluation.
Call your doctor immediately if your child has a fever with any other
signs of a serious infection.
The
flu, which usually is not serious, can cause your
child to have a high fever. Your child will usually also have body aches,
rather than other, more serious symptoms.
