How to Get Rid of a Fever, Bad Breath & No Appetite in a Toddler

A fever, bad breath and loss of appetite are all signs of the flu virus or throat infection in children. The flu is a fairly common ailment, but it can become dangerous when a toddler's temperature reaches a dangerous level or he refuses to eat and drink to the point of dehydration. A fever can also make your toddler feel tired and sick and cause vomiting, so watch him carefully through the course of the sickness. You can help to relieve your child's fever and keep him comfortable as the illness runs its course.

Take your toddler's temperature using a thermometer. While a rectal reading is the most accurate, underarm and mouth readings can suffice as well. If your child's temperature is over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, schedule an appointment with your doctor or head to the emergency room after hours, suggests Babycenter.com 1. Your doctor will want to know when the temperature began and how long it has lasted, along with the other symptoms, like a loss of appetite and bad breath. If your doctor believes that your child has a throat infection, she'll prescribe antibiotics for your toddler.

Give your baby a dose of acetaminophen and ibuprofen every six to eight hours or as directed by your doctor. Adhere strictly to the dosing instructions found on the medication packaging. Both help to relieve your toddler's fever and some of the discomfort associated with a high temperature. Continue to give your child antibiotics to help battle an infection as directed by your doctor.

Place your child in a lukewarm bath to help lower his core body temperature. Ensure the bath isn't too cold, as the cold water could shock your child when his body is warm. If your toddler refuses to get into a bath, place a wet washcloth across his forehead and bathe his body with lukewarm water. The moisture can help bring down his fever.

Offer fluids, even if your toddler refuses to eat. The bad breath associated with the fever and loss of appetite could be an infected throat, which means your toddler may not want to eat. Cool drinks, ice pops and milkshakes can help coat and soothe the throat while keeping your child hydrated when he won't eat.

Monitor your toddler's temperature carefully throughout the course of the sickness. Call your doctor if your toddler's fever doesn't seem to subside, even after offering medicine and antibiotics. A fever usually lasts anywhere from one to two days to five days. Take your toddler's temperature often and keep her as comfortable as possible until the fever, loss of appetite and bad breath subsides.