Fever in Children: Care in Hilo & Across Hawaiʻi — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

A fever is a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, and in children it is usually a normal, healthy sign that the body is fighting an infection rather than something dangerous in itself. What matters most is how your child looks and acts, not just the number. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we help you know when a fever is routine and when it needs prompt attention.

What a fever means

Fever is the body’s natural response to infection, most often a common virus. The height of the fever does not reliably tell us how serious the illness is; a child with a high fever who is drinking, playing, and responsive is usually less worrying than a child with a low fever who is very sluggish. The goal of treating a fever is comfort, not chasing a normal temperature.

How to help at home

For most children over a few months old, you can focus on comfort: offer plenty of fluids, dress them lightly, let them rest, and use acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the correct weight-based dose if they are uncomfortable (ibuprofen only after 6 months of age). We are always glad to confirm dosing with you.

When to call us right away

Some fevers need prompt care. Any fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months old is an emergency that needs to be seen immediately, as the American Academy of Pediatrics guideline for young infants stresses. For older children, reach out for a fever lasting more than a few days, a very high or hard-to-control fever, or warning signs such as trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade with pressure, persistent vomiting, dehydration, or a child who is unusually drowsy or hard to wake. When in doubt, call us; we offer same-day visits and telehealth guidance.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole child, in the spirit of lōkahi — balance and harmony among the connected parts of life: the body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, the ʻohana (family), and our relationship with the ʻāina (land) and community. In a Native Hawaiian understanding of health, these are not separate, and neither is our care. To mālama (care for and protect) your keiki and to raise them pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your family’s story, welcome your ʻohana into every visit, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects your family is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see your keiki

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaiʻi QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), ʻOhana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance, and we are accepting new pediatric patients in Hilo. Your child’s first primary-care visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see children in person for well-child exams, vaccines, and hands-on care, and we use telehealth for follow-ups and questions. Pediatric behavioral health with our mental-health providers can begin by video; care from our primary-care team starts with an in-office visit.

Common questions about fever in children

What temperature counts as a fever in a child?

A fever is a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. How your child looks and acts matters more than the exact number, but very young infants are an important exception.

When is a child’s fever an emergency?

Any fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months needs to be seen immediately. For older children, seek care for fevers lasting several days, very high fevers, or warning signs like trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a non-fading rash, persistent vomiting, dehydration, or being very hard to wake.

Should I always treat a fever with medicine?

Not necessarily. The goal is comfort, not a normal number. If your child is uncomfortable, weight-based acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help; if they are drinking and playing, medicine may not be needed. We are glad to confirm dosing.

What insurance do you accept for pediatric care?

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaii QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, HMSA, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance. We are accepting new pediatric patients in Hilo.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Infant fever. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/infant-fever/

Pantell, R. H., Roberts, K. B., Adams, W. G., Dreyer, B. P., Kuppermann, N., O’Leary, S. T., et al. (2021). Evaluation and management of well-appearing febrile infants 8 to 60 days old. Pediatrics, 148(2), e2021052228. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/148/2/e2021052228/179783/Evaluation-and-Management-of-Well-Appearing

Papa Ola Lōkahi. (n.d.). Native Hawaiian health. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.papaolalokahi.org/

This page is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and written by George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your child’s situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you are worried about your child’s health, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP — President & Owner