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What should I do if my child has a fever?
A fever is usually the body fighting an infection. Most children get better with fluids, rest and comfort.
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What it is
A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. A normal temperature varies from person to person, but it is usually around 37°C (98.6°F) [3]. A fever is not a disease. It is usually a sign that the body is trying to fight an illness or infection [3]. Infections cause most fevers, because the body is trying to kill the virus or bacteria behind them [3]. Fever also activates the body’s immune system [3].
Other causes include some medicines (such as antibiotics, blood pressure medicines and anti-seizure medicines), heat illness, cancers, autoimmune diseases and some childhood vaccines [3]. Many things can cause a high temperature in children, from common illnesses like chickenpox and tonsillitis to vaccinations [1].
The main symptom is feeling unwell, although children often cope with fever better than adults [6]. It is also normal for a child to have less appetite, to be tired or to have a headache [6]. When the fever is rising, it is normal for a child to feel cold, even to shiver, and to have blotchy skin, especially on the hands and feet [6]. When the fever comes down, the child will sweat, look red and feel hot [6].
Fever usually lasts 2 to 4 days, but it can last longer without being more serious [7]. Fever medicines lower the temperature, but they do not always bring it down completely, especially if it started very high [7]. So the fever coming back after a medicine is common and does not mean the illness is worse [7].
What you can do at home
- The main goal is to make your child comfortable. Treat the discomfort, not the fever itself [8].
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of liquids and stays well hydrated [8].
- Keep your child in a room with a neutral temperature that is ventilated, and avoid wrapping them in too many clothes or blankets, so heat can escape [8].
- Fever medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen lower the temperature and improve how your child feels, but they do not cure the infection [8]. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right medicine and dose for your child’s age and weight.
- Do not alternate these medicines routinely every 3 to 4 hours, unless your child is uncomfortable before 6 hours have passed or has a condition that justifies it [8].
- Do not bathe your child in cold water or put wet cloths on them. It is unpleasant and does not work as a fever treatment [8].
- It is normal for your child not to want to eat. Do not force them [8].
- Do not undress your child or sponge them down to cool them. A high temperature is a natural and healthy response to infection [1].
- Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age [1].
- Do not give paracetamol to a child under 2 months [1].
- Do not give ibuprofen to a child under 3 months, who weighs under 5kg, who has chickenpox, or who is dehydrated [1].
- Do not give ibuprofen to children with asthma unless a doctor has recommended it [1].
- Your child should not go to school or daycare while they have a fever, to avoid passing the infection on [5]. It is sensible to wait 24 hours without fever before returning [7].
- Hand washing with soap and water, or hand sanitiser, is the most effective way to prevent infections spreading [5]. Breastfeeding and vaccination are also very important in prevention [5].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Get urgent medical advice if your child:
- is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature [1]
- is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39°C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature [1]
- has other signs of illness, such as a rash, along with a high temperature [1]
- has a high temperature that has lasted 5 days or more [1]
- does not want to eat, or is not their usual self and you are worried [1]
- is dehydrated, for example nappies that are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when crying [1]
- is under 2 months old or has a weakened immune system [4]
- is listless, not very responsive or very irritable [4]
- has difficulty breathing [4]
- has spots on the skin that do not fade when pressed [4]
- cannot keep down solids or liquids [4]
Call your local emergency number if your child:
- has a stiff neck [1]
- has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it [1]
- is bothered by light [1]
- has a fit (febrile seizure) for the first time and cannot stop shaking [1]
- has unusually cold hands and feet [1]
- has changes to skin colour such as blue, grey, paler than usual or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin), or blue, grey or paler than usual lips or tongue [1]
- is drowsy and hard to wake [1]
- is extremely agitated (does not stop crying) or is confused [1]
- has difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast [1]
- is not responding like they normally do, or is not interested in feeding or normal activities [1]
Common questions
Can a fever be dengue? Dengue can cause a high fever (40°C/104°F), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and a rash [2]. Symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after infection and last 2 to 7 days [2]. Severe dengue symptoms often come after the fever has gone away, and include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, being very thirsty, pale and cold skin, and feeling weak [2]. People with these severe symptoms should seek care immediately [2].
What should I watch for at home? Watch your child’s general state and that they have a good colour. Also watch for petechiae — small red spots on the skin that do not disappear when you press their sides [7].
When can my child go back to school or do sport? When your child has no fever and feels well, they can return to normal life [7].
Sources
[1] NHS — “High temperature (fever) in children” (2025), section “Don’t”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/ [2] WHO — “Dengue”, section “Symptoms”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue [3] MedlinePlus — “Fever” (2025), p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html [4] SEUP — “Fiebre. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁNDO DEBEMOS CONSULTAR EN UN SERVICIO DE URGENCIAS?”, p. 2 — https://seup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15_Fiebre.pdf [5] SEUP — “Fiebre. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CÓMO PODEMOS PREVENIR LAS INFECCIONES?”, p. 2 — https://seup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15_Fiebre.pdf [6] SEUP — “Fiebre. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁLES SON LOS SÍNTOMAS?”, p. 1 — https://seup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15_Fiebre.pdf [7] SEUP — “Fiebre. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿CUÁL ES LA EVOLUCIÓN ESPERABLE?”, p. 1, 2 — https://seup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15_Fiebre.pdf [8] SEUP — “Fiebre. Información para padres” (2025), section “¿QUÉ PODEMOS HACER EN CASA CUANDO TIENE FIEBRE?”, p. 1 — https://seup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15_Fiebre.pdf
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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