My child has a fever. Should I worry?
Fever is common in children and is usually a sign that the body is responding to an infection. The temperature is only one part of the picture. How your child looks, behaves, drinks, breathes and responds to you can be just as important when deciding whether medical advice is needed.
A child who has a fever but is drinking, interacting and becoming more comfortable between periods of fever is generally more reassuring than a child who is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, struggling to breathe or becoming progressively unwell.
What temperature counts as a fever?
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is generally considered a fever. The method used to measure temperature can affect the reading, so use a reliable digital thermometer and follow its instructions.
For young babies, particularly those under 3 months, a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs prompt medical assessment.
What can I do at home for a child with fever?
Offer plenty of fluids. For babies, continue breastfeeds or usual milk feeds as appropriate.
Let your child rest and avoid unnecessary activity while they are unwell.
Dress your child comfortably rather than wrapping them in heavy layers.
Keep observing how your child is behaving, drinking and breathing, not just the number on the thermometer.
If your child is uncomfortable, discuss appropriate fever or pain medicine and dosing with your pediatrician or follow the medicine’s age- and weight-based instructions.
Avoid ice-cold baths or alcohol-based rubbing. The aim of fever care is to keep the child comfortable and hydrated rather than to make the thermometer reading completely normal.
When should I call the pediatrician?
Contact your pediatrician if your child looks significantly unwell, is becoming worse, remains unusually sleepy or irritable, is not drinking well, has signs of dehydration, or has symptoms that concern you.
Medical advice is particularly important when fever occurs in a baby younger than 3 months, when fever is persistent, or when other symptoms such as breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, severe pain, a stiff neck, a seizure or an unexplained rash are present.
Get urgent medical help if fever is accompanied by:
- Difficulty breathing, very fast breathing or the chest pulling in with breaths.
- A child who is difficult to wake, unusually unresponsive or confused.
- A seizure.
- A stiff neck or severe headache.
- Repeated vomiting that prevents your child from keeping fluids down.
- Signs of significant dehydration, such as very little urine, a very dry mouth or marked weakness.
- A purple, bruise-like or rapidly spreading unusual rash.
- A child who looks seriously unwell or is deteriorating quickly.
What about fever in babies?
A fever in a baby younger than 3 months should not be managed by simply watching at home. A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher requires prompt medical assessment, even if the baby otherwise appears reasonably well.
How long can a fever last?
Many childhood infections cause fever for a few days. If the fever persists, returns after settling, or your child is becoming less well, contact your pediatrician. The appropriate timing can depend on your child’s age, symptoms and medical history.
Does the number on the thermometer tell me how sick my child is?
Not by itself. A higher temperature can occur with an uncomplicated infection, while a child with a lower fever can sometimes be quite unwell. Look at the whole child: alertness, breathing, hydration, pain, behaviour and whether symptoms are improving or worsening.
A simple rule for parents
If your child has a fever but is drinking, interacting and gradually returning to normal between episodes, continue to monitor them and keep them comfortable. If your child looks or acts significantly unwell, has difficulty breathing, is difficult to wake, is becoming dehydrated, or you are seriously concerned, seek medical assessment promptly.
Related reading
- Child Health
- My Baby Won’t Stop Crying: What’s Normal and When to Worry
- Missed a Vaccination: What Should Parents Do?
This information is for general guidance and does not diagnose an individual child. Fever can have many causes. If your child is very unwell or you are concerned about their condition, seek medical care promptly.