Is 98.7 a fever?

“I checked my baby’s temperature and it was 98.7°F, but I’m not sure what counts as a fever in babies. Is 98.7 a fever?”

98.7 is not a fever in most cases, including in babies. A fever in babies is generally considered a temperature of 100.4°F or higher.

When checking a baby’s temperature, the method used matters. Rectal temperatures are usually the most accurate for infants, while underarm readings can be less precise and may be slightly lower.

Call a pediatrician right away if your baby is 3 months old or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher, or if they have symptoms like unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, persistent crying, trouble breathing, vomiting, or signs of dehydration.

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