A Fever is defined as a temperature greater or equal to 100.4 degrees. Fevers alone are not dangerous. Fever may be caused by an infection as simple as a cold, or may be caused by viruses or bacteria. A child’s appearance is more important than the temperature. Care includes giving your child plenty of fluids and dressing him/her in lightweight clothes. A rectal temperature is considered most accurate and the only dependable way to take a temperature in an infant less than 6 months old. An “ear scan” thermometer is convenient (and used often in our office), but not completely accurate; itshould be used as a screening device only. An oral thermometer is accurate if the child keeps his/her mouth closed.