Fever Myths

Birmingham, Ala. (April 30, 2026) — When a child gets a fever, parents can become very concerned. Some parents seek medication or medical advice to reduce fever.  While conducting research, parents may encounter myths about fevers and their treatment. We asked Children’s of Alabama pediatric emergency medicine physician, Alicia Webb, M.D., about some of those myths.

Myth: All fevers are bad for children.

“This is false. Fever is actually the body’s response to an infection, so for most children, a fever is not dangerous; even those high fevers, such as 103, 104, and 105 degrees, will not cause any serious damage,” said Webb. “What does happen when a child has a fever is sometimes, they can get a little dehydrated, so it is important to make sure that they are drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.”

A normal body temperature is 98.6. However, a child or adult’s normal body temperature can fluctuate a point above or below that. For most children, their body temperature remains relatively stable from day to day until germs enter the picture. A fever is defined as 100.4 or higher.

Myth: A fever can cause brain damage or seizures and is dangerous to a child.

“This myth is also false; even with those high fevers, it is not going to cause brain damage for healthy children,” said Webb. “The types of high temperatures that cause brain damage are actually due to being left in hot cars or due to the environment, but fevers themselves are not going to cause damage.”

Myth: Feed a cold, starve a fever.

“This is also a myth,” said Webb. “If your child is hungry, it is safe for them to eat whatever they would normally eat. It is very common for children to be less interested in food for a few days when they are sick. So, it is important to make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.”

Myth: Taking a warm or cold bath brings down a fever quickly.

“Warm baths or cold baths are not going to affect that fever temperature very much,” said Webb. “If children are having any body aches with the fever or those symptoms, a bath can sometimes make them feel better, but the only thing that brings down a fever is either time or a fever reducer.”

For most children, a fever typically resolves within a few days. However, there are cases where a fever requires treatment. Webb says you can treat a fever with over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Children should never take aspirin to treat a fever because it can cause a rare but serious illness. Webb says a fever can be dangerous in children under 3 months old because their immune systems are not yet mature enough to show other signs of a serious infection. Webb recommends parents seek medical attention if their child develops a fever and is under 3 months old.

Previous Story:

Fever In Children: When Should Parents Become Concerned | Children's of Alabama