m was feeling really hot so i took her temperature.
underarm=99.6
rectal=101.5
is this considered really high or is it a low grade fever? i gave her tylenol just in case. how long til that kicks in? she's been acting fine. should i wake her soon to take her temperature again?
Re: how long for tylenol to break a fever
101.5 is a low grade fever. Pedis don't consider it a real fever until it hits 101.4 so you are really close. Tylenol takes 45mins to kick in where as Motrin kicks in much sooner. I wouldn't wake her to take her temp. Just feel her. If she feels warm then don't worry as long as she's comfy and sleeping. If she's burning hot then I would give her Motrin and take her temp. Motrin because it works faster.
There are three grades of fevers. Warm, hot, and OMG do we rush to the ER? My pedi told me this with our first son. It has really helped us over the years.
Also, and I only just learned this a few months ago, Tylenol and Motrin help to reduce a fever. They don't eliminate a fever. Don't worry if your little one's fever doesn't go away completely.
According to my pedi, there is no such thing as a "low grade fever". Fever is anything over 100.4. What is high really kind of depends on the age of the child, and the child herself. I have friends who have kids that regularly go to 104 or 105. (They are older, though).
I find that motrin makes fevers go down more quickly.
Annelise 3.22.2007 Norah 10.24.2009 Amelia 8.7.2011