Winter time is germ time! Parents ask us more questions about fever than any other topic. So here is what you need to know about fever in children.

Fever is a sign of illness. Your body makes a fever in effort to heat up and kill germs without harming your body.

Here is what fever is NOT:

• Fever is NOT an illness.
• Fever does NOT cause brain damage.
• Fever does NOT cause your blood to boil.
• Unlike in the movies and popular media, fever is NOT a cause for hysteria or ice baths.
• Fever over 100 degrees F is NOT a sign of teething.

Here is what fever IS: click here to read more.

Julie Kardos, MD and Naline Lai, MD

Doctors Julie Kardos and Naline Lai founded the pediatric blog www.twopedsinapod.com as "Practical Pediatric Advice for Parents on the Go."  The pediatricians practice at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network, Newtown.