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 need an ambulance. Trust your instincts — you know your child best.
- A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- Very hard to wake, unusually drowsy, floppy, or not responding to you
- Trouble breathing, grunting with each breath, or pauses in breathing
- Skin that looks pale, blue, mottled, or feels very cold
- A fit or seizure
- A bulging soft spot on a baby's head, or a stiff neck
Bring them to the ED or the service named above the same day — these do not need an ambulance.
- A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher
- A baby aged 3 to 6 months with a temperature of 39°C or higher
- Breathing faster than usual, but not struggling
- Fewer wet nappies than usual, no tears when crying, or a dry mouth
- Bothered by bright light, or a headache that will not settle
- The fever has lasted more than 5 days
- They are not improving, or you are worried and cannot get advice
Fluids matter more than bringing the temperature down. Offer small amounts often rather than large drinks. Breastfed babies: feed more frequently. Bottle-fed babies: offer their usual milk more often; do not dilute it. Over 1 year: water, milk or diluted squash; avoid fizzy drinks and undiluted fruit juice. Aim for a wet nappy or a wee at least every 6 to 8 hours. Paracetamol or ibuprofen are for a child who looks distressed, not simply to lower a number — follow the dose on the bottle for their age and weight, and do not give ibuprofen if they are dehydrated or have chickenpox.
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.