How to Help Your Child When a Fever Strikes

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The change in seasons, from winter to spring, means different things for different people. For some, it is the beginning of baseball season, while for others it is a time to start planting their gardens. Unfortunately, it is also the time when many children become sick with a fever.

A child gets a fever when his or her body temperature rises above normal. Although a child can get a fever from many types of colds or other illnesses, it commonly occurs as a result of seasonal allergies or a climate change. A child's normal body temperature is about 97.F. A child has a mild fever when his or her temperature is 100.F by mouth, 99.F by armpit or 101.F when a rectal thermometer is used.

To treat a mild fever, AMERIGROUP recommends the following steps:

• Have your child drink plenty of liquids.
• Have your child rest in bed.
• For a high fever, sponge your child with medium warm water.
• Do not let your child take a shower -- it could make the fever rise.

You should call the doctor if your child has a fever of 102.F and has any of these symptoms --

• The fever has lasted 48 hours.
• Your child has an earache or sore throat that won't go away.
• Your child is throwing up or has diarrhea.
• Your child has diabetes or kidney disease.
• Your child has just gotten his or her shots.

If you ever feel that your child's health is in danger, call your child's doctor or go to the hospital immediately. Your child should definitely be taken to the hospital if --

• Your child has a fever with seizures.
• Your child's breathing is different and strange.
• Your child has a stiff neck.
• Your child is feeling sleepy, confused and not alert.

These health tips were brought to you by AMERIGROUP Corporation. We hope that your children remain healthy and happy.

A leader in managed health care services for the public sector, AMERIGROUP is one of the largest private companies providing health care coverage exclusively to low-income families. The company operates in the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Texas, and serves more than 275,000 Medicaid and CHIP recipients nationally, of which nearly 210,000 are children. In support of its corporate mission, AMERIGROUP has introduced REALCaring, a company-wide initiative to develop and highlight programs that improve the lives of its members and their communities. The company is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va.

April 5, 2000

CONTACT: www.amerigroupcorp.com