Understanding Fever: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Worry

At Pediatric Specialists of Tulsa, Dr. Stacy O'Sullivan, Dr. Uyen Le, and Dr. Lauren Hayes can figure out why your child has a fever and help them recover. We know it's a scary situation from experience — so if you’re a Tulsa, OK, parent, please read on to learn more about what might be happening.

Symptoms of Sickness

 When your child is sick, it's important to track various symptoms that may indicate more long-term issues. For example, if your child sweats excessively, shivers with chills, or complains of a headache, it's time to check their temperature to see what's happening. 

They could simply be overstimulated (as happens with many excitable children) or have something wrong with them. Pay attention to other symptoms—muscle pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, and weakness—and get ready to track them. 

Causes of This Issue

 Dr. O'Sullivan, Dr. Le, and Dr. Hayes, at the Pediatric Specialists of Tulsa, work to identify the causes of fever and can make it easier for your family to get the help you need. We can diagnose issues like:

• Viral infections (like the flu or cold)
• Bacterial or fungal infections 
• Food poisoning (especially after eating at a restaurant)
• Serious heat issues (sunburn, heat exhaustion or stroke)
• Inflammation from various health issues

When to Worry

 Most of the time, a little extra temperature on your child's thermometer is probably not a huge deal — it might just be a temporary or passing issue you can treat at home. However, it might also indicate an illness in various situations and must be taken seriously if your child has:

• A severe headache that makes it hard for them to see straight
• Dizziness that comes and goes in waves throughout the day 
• Extreme sensitivity to bright light (could be a migraine)
• Pain in the neck or stiffness that refuses to lighten up

 For other symptoms (skin rash, breathing issues, vomiting, dehydration, stomach pain, cramps, confusion, etc.), you need to call us right away to get help. We're not trying to scare you by saying this, but your child could have a more serious underlying issue that needs management.

We're Here for You

 At Pediatric Specialists of Tulsa, you can call us at (918) 523-5437 to set up an appointment to manage a fever. Not sure if you need help? Let us know — we'll diagnose your child's problems and come up with a treatment. Trust Dr. Hayes, Dr. O'Sullivan, and Dr. Le, for pediatric care in Tulsa, OK.