Fever is a sign the body is fighting infection and has not been found to be harmful. Germs cannot live in 100 degree F (38 degree C), but a person can. Temperatures run slightly higher in children. Subtract 1 degree for rectal temperature, add 1 degree for axillary (armpit) temperature. Fever can be controlled by maintaining good oral intake of water or fluids, removing clothes, giving acetaminophen in appropriate doses and sponging with lukewarm water. Sponging causes cooling by evaporation of water from the body surface: the more surface area exposed to evaporation when the sponge or towel is removed, the more effective the sponging. Every few minutes, alternate from chest to back a wet warm towel. In warm weather a fan may be directed toward the wet child. Shivering or shaking which results is not harmful. Liquid acetaminophen may be used in children. Remember medicines by mouth take 90 minutes to have an effect. A fever which is not responsive to the measures above or which persists longer than 72 hours should be evaluated. Fevers rectally peaking to 105 degrees are common in children, and brain damage does not occur until 107 degrees. A child under 6 months of age with a fever of 101 degrees or greater rectally must be seen by a physician immediately.