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What Are the Causes of Fever in Children

Medically Review
Medically reviewed
Evidence based
Evidence based
Updated on
Updated on September 25, 2024

Fever in children is a common concern for parents. Fever itself is not a disease but a response of the body to infections or other health issues. There are various causes of fever in children, including the following:

Infections:

  • Viral Infections: Such as the common cold, flu, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Viral infections are the most common cause of fever in children.
  • Bacterial Infections: Such as streptococcal pharyngitis, urinary tract infections, otitis media, pneumonia, and bacterial meningitis. Bacterial infections usually require antibiotic treatment.
  • Other Infections: Such as parasitic and fungal infections.

Immune System Responses:

  • Vaccinations: Some vaccinations can cause a mild fever as a normal response of the body's immune system to the vaccine.
  • Inflammatory Reactions: Conditions like Kawasaki disease or rheumatic fever can cause systemic inflammatory responses, leading to fever.

Chronic Diseases:

  • Autoimmune Diseases: Such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. These diseases can cause prolonged or recurrent fever.
  • Other Chronic Diseases: Some cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, can also cause unexplained fever.

Non-Infectious Causes:

  • Heat Exposure: Conditions like heatstroke from prolonged activity in hot environments can lead to elevated body temperature.
  • Drug Reactions: Some medications can cause fever as a side effect.
  • Teething: Infants may experience a slight fever when teething.

Other Causes:

  • Dehydration: Severe dehydration can lead to an increase in body temperature.
  • Metabolic Disorders: Conditions such as hyperthyroidism can also cause fever.

If a child's fever lasts for an extended period, is accompanied by severe symptoms (such as difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, severe headache, or rash), or the cause of the fever is unclear, it is important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics:

Kliegman, R., St. Geme, J. W., Blum, N. J., Shah, S. S., Tasker, R. C., Wilson, K. M. (Editors). (2020). Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics (21st ed.). Elsevier.

Mayo Clinic:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Fever in children: How to treat. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Website.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Fever and Your Child. Retrieved from HealthyChildren.org.

WebMD:

WebMD Editorial Contributors. (n.d.). Fever in Children. WebMD. Retrieved from WebMD Website.

UpToDate:

Hayes, K., & Wadowski, S. (2020). Evaluation of fever in infants and young children. UpToDate. Retrieved from UpToDate Website.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Common Human Coronaviruses. Retrieved from CDC Website.

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