When your baby has a fever, it is usually a sign that their body is fighting an illness or infection. Fevers are generally harmless. In fact, they can be a good sign that your child's immune system is working, and the body is trying to heal itself.
The most important things you can do when your child has a fever:
It is a good sign if your child plays and interacts with you after receiving medicine for discomfort.
Call your child's doctor right away if your child has a fever and:
Looks very ill, is unusually drowsy, or is very fussy
Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car
Has other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, breathing difficulty, an unexplained rash, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Has immune system problems, such as sickle cell disease or cancer, or is taking steroids or other medicines that could affect their immune system
Also call your child's doctor if:
Your child still "acts sick" once their fever is brought down.
Your child seems to be getting worse.
The fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years.
The fever persists for more than 3 days (72 hours) in a child 2 years of age or older.
Remember
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's health, ask your child's doctor.
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circ*mstances.
FAQs
Call your child's physician within 24 hours if your child, 3 months or older, has any of the following conditions present: The fever is 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (especially if your child is younger than 2 years old) Burning or pain occurs with urination.
When should I take my child to the ER for a fever? ›
If your child is 3 or older, visit the pediatric ER if the child's temperature is over 102 degrees for two or more days. You should also seek emergency care if the fever is accompanied by any of these symptoms: Abdominal pain. Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
When should I admit my child with a fever? ›
Call Your Doctor If:
Your child looks or acts very sick. Any serious symptoms occur such as trouble breathing. Fever goes higher than 104° F (40° C) Any fever occurs if less than 12 weeks old.
When should I refer my child with a fever? ›
The child is becoming dehydrated. The fever lasts longer than 5 days. The child is becoming more unwell. They are distressed or concerned that they are unable to look after the infant or child at home.
Should I let my child's fever run its course? ›
But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stresses that fever itself is usually not a problem. In fact, it can be helpful. Fever is a sign that the body is combating an infection.
What virus causes fever for 5 days? ›
Roseola often starts with a high fever — often higher than 103 F (39.4 C). It starts suddenly and lasts 3 to 5 days. Some children also may have a sore throat, runny nose or cough along with or before the fever. Your child may also develop swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
How long can a child have a fever before going to hospital? ›
Call your child's doctor right away for: A fever that lasts more than four to five days. A fever (over 100.4) in a newborn younger than 2 months old. If you can't reach your doctor, go to the emergency department.
How long does a viral fever last in a child? ›
How long will my child's symptoms last? Fever caused by a viral infection tends to get better within 2 to 3 days. If your child's fever lasts for more than 5 days, get them seen by your GP.
When to worry about a fever? ›
Call your health care provider if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompanies a fever: Severe headache. Rash.
What is the fever rule for children? ›
Infants younger than 3 months of age whose temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should be evaluated by a doctor because fevers in infants can indicate a serious illness. In kids between 3 months and 3 years of age, a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher requires a call to your pediatrician.
Temperatures between 37.5 (99.5°F) and 38.5°C (101.3°F) are referred to as an elevated body temperature. It is considered to be a fever at temperatures of 38.5 (101.3°F) or more in children, and at temperatures of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or more in babies under three months old.
When should I be concerned about my child's temperature? ›
In general, call the doctor if your child is: younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. 3 months or older with a temperature higher than 102.2°F (39°C) any age but has a health problem like cancer or sickle cell disease and has a fever.
When to call a pediatrician for a fever? ›
A fever that lasts longer than 3 days or symptoms that get worse need a look from your pediatrician. Your child may have gotten an ear infection or other bacterial illness. If at any point your child has to work harder to breathe, call the doctor right away.
What are the red flags of a fever? ›
Red flag findings strongly suggest a serious disorder, as in the following: Headache, stiff neck, and petechial or purpuric rash suggest meningitis. Tachycardia (beyond the modest elevation normally present with fever) and tachypnea, with or without hypotension or mental status changes, suggest sepsis.
What are the red flags for a child with a fever? ›
Recognizing “red flag” symptoms
Children with fever must receive immediate medical attention if: the color of skin, lips, or tongue turns blue. the child does not respond to social signs, does not wake up when roused, or has a weak, high-pitched, or continuous cry. there is grunting or chest draws into the body.
How long should a fever last before seeing a doctor child? ›
Call your doctor if your child has any fever for more than four or five days. Also call your doctor if your child has a high fever AND any of the following: cracked red lips, red tongue, red eyes, swollen hands and feet, rash, abdominal pain or enlarged lymph nodes.
How often should you check temperature with a fever child? ›
According to Dr. Catherine Mims, a pediatrician at Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health, parents and caregivers should check a child's temperature when they're acting abnormally. “Generally, there is no prescribed frequency for taking a child's temperature,” she says.
Is 104 a high fever for a child? ›
High fever in infants and children over 3 months
In babies and children over 3 months, call a healthcare provider if your child's fever is higher than 104 F (40 C), or if the fever doesn't come down with a fever-reducing medication.
