• temperature in children: when to worry

A runny nose or mild cough probably doesn't worry you much — as a parent, minor cold symptoms can be common. But a sick baby or toddler with a fever will probably kick your concern up by at least a few notches.

Fever is one of the most common reasons why parents of babies or toddlers reach out to their pediatricians.

But take heart: Even though fevers can make your little one uncomfortable, they aren't usually harmful and don't make an illness worse.

Better still?

40 degree fever in child

A fever is likely a sign that your child's body is hard at work fighting off the infection that's ailing her. And since fevers are most often triggered by viruses, they'll usually run their course all on their own.

In the meantime, your job is to help your child feel comfortable and watch for a temperature or other symptoms that warrant a call to the doctor.

Here's what to do when your baby or toddler has a fever, what counts as high fever in babies and when to seek medical attention.

What causes fever in babies and toddlers?

A number of different things can trig

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