You can just put a call in to your Ped. or page them. And most definitely if the fever rises to 103 or more. And ask what to do.
Keep in mind about fevers:
1) Tylenol or Motrin does NOT "cure" the illness.. .it only brings down the fever and ease discomfort. The fever will return.. .if the child is still sick.
Tylenol/Motrin only brings down the fever. Temporarily.
2) A fever, indicates illness or infection of some kind. It also serves to burn out the virus... as the body's temp rises.. .it makes it inhabitable for the virus etc.
BUT... watch that the fever does not get too high... then you do need to bring it down... via Tylenol or Motrin... or a cool tepid bath... or, cold towels/ice packs on his Forehead/arm pits/knee pits.
3) Keep taking his temp regularly. I check my kids every hour or less.
4) a thermometer... depending which kind, will be 2-3 degrees difference. ie: a arm pit temp.. is typically 3 degrees less, than a rectal thermometer etc.
5) your son is miserable. Sometimes in conjunction with a fever, the person will also get, headaches, 'chills', and fluctuate between being too hot or cold (ie: chills).
6) Do not overheat him... if he is hot and with a fever. Don't put blankets on him in other words, if he is hot.
7) Fevers can indicate viral or bacterial infection.
take him to the Doctor, or urgent care center if it is off hours. Or ER. If he gets worse.
But put in a call to your Pediatrician, or page him/her.
And, look for other symptoms, if it gets worse or new symptoms presents itself.
Keep him hydrated, with cool liquids.
For me, when my kids have fevers... I watch it and take their temp frequently... I also let the fever go. Meaning I do not give Tylenol/Motrin unless it gets too high... I let the fever do its thing. And to get a more accurate temp.
When I do take them to the Doctor, and the kid is under Tylenol or Motrin, the temp reading will not reflect an accurate temp... because it will have been lowered, temporarily, by the Tylenol/Motrin.
all the best,
Susan