Fever in children
How to care for your child with a high temperature, and when to get help.
Your child has a fever — a high temperature, usually 38°C or above. Most fevers are caused by infections their body fights off. Here is how to care for them at home, and the signs that mean you should get help quickly.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
These can be signs of a serious illness and need checking straight away.
- A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- Very hard to wake, unusually drowsy, or floppy
- Trouble breathing, grunting, or breathing very fast
- Skin that looks pale, blue, mottled, or feels very cold
- A fit or seizure
- A stiff neck, or bothered by bright light
- A bulging soft spot on a baby's head
- No wet nappy, no tears, or sunken eyes (dehydration)
- A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher
- A high-pitched or non-stop cry, or you are seriously worried
Caring for your child at home
- Offer regular drinks, and keep up breast or bottle feeds.
- You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen if your child is distressed — for comfort, not just to lower the temperature.
- Do not give both medicines together as a routine, and do not give ibuprofen if they have chickenpox.
- Do not undress your child or sponge them with cold water.
- Let them rest, and check on them through the night.
What is normal with a fever
A child with a fever often looks unwell for a few days. These are usually nothing to worry about:
Keep checking on them — call for help if any red flag above appears.
When to contact your GP or 111
Contact your GP or call 111 if the fever lasts 5 days or more, your child seems to be getting worse, they are drinking much less or having fewer wet nappies, or you are simply worried. You know your child best, so do not wait if something does not feel right.