Fever in Infants

The most common cause for fever, vomiting, and diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis.

You can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the fever -- read the dosage directions carefully. Do not give any other medications without the advice of your doctor. Give your baby breastmilk or clear liquids (oral rehydration solutions designed for infants can be very helpful), small amounts at a time.

Call your doctor if

• The baby's vomiting or diarrhea gets worse.

• The vomit is green, bloody, or black.

• The diarrhea is bloody, mucousy, or black.

• The baby goes more than six hours without a wet diaper.

• The temperature goes to 102 F (39 C) or higher.

• The baby gets very irritable.

• The baby develops a rash (not just a diaper rash, but one elsewhere on the body), or his skin looks pale or yellow.

• There is no improvement in a day or two.

You should also call your doctor if your baby has traveled to an area of the world where parasites or other illnesses are endemic.