When Your Child Has a Fever

📏What temperature counts as fever

The threshold differs a little by where you measure. The same child reads lower in the armpit and higher rectally.

• Rectal: 38.0°C or higher — most accurate for infants.
• Ear (tympanic): 38.0°C or higher — fairly accurate after 6 months.
• Forehead (temporal artery): 38.0°C or higher — fast but less precise; recheck a high reading another way.
• Oral: 37.8°C or higher — for children about 4–5 and older who can hold the thermometer in their mouth.
• Armpit: 37.2°C or higher suggests fever; confirm with another method.

🏥When to see a doctor right away

• A baby under 3 months with 38.0°C or higher — go to the emergency room or a doctor immediately, even at night.
• Fever in a baby 3–6 months old, or a child who is limp and hard to wake
• Fever that repeatedly rises to 40°C or higher
• Fever lasting more than 24 hours under age 2, or more than 3 days at age 2 or older
• Much less urine, dry mouth, or no tears when crying (dehydration)
• Stiff neck, red spots that don't fade when pressed, severe headache or repeated vomiting
• Fast breathing, or skin pulling in between the ribs
• Fever that goes away and comes back, or low energy even after the fever falls

🏠Caring at home

• Dress your child lightly and keep the room from getting too warm. Don't wrap them tightly in blankets.
• Fluids matter most. Keep breast milk or formula as usual; offer older children water often in small sips.
• If your child is uncomfortable, you can give a fever reducer. The goal is comfort, not a normal number.
• If your child is playing and eating well, a fever reducer is not always needed.
• There is no need to wake a sleeping child just to give medicine.
• Keep notes on wet diapers or toilet trips, how much they ate and how they played, so you can describe your child clearly to the doctor.

💊Using fever medicine safely

• Doses are based on weight, not age. Check the label and ask a pharmacist or doctor. Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
• Babies under 3 months should see a doctor before being given any fever medicine.
• Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months unless a doctor tells you to.
• Never give aspirin to children because of the risk of Reye syndrome.
• Combination cold medicines may already contain a fever reducer; avoid doubling up.
• Alternate two fever medicines only if a doctor recommends it.

⚡Febrile seizures

Febrile seizures happen mainly in children from 6 months to 5 years when a fever rises. The eyes may roll, the body stiffens or jerks, and it usually stops within a few minutes. It is frightening to watch, but simple febrile seizures generally leave no lasting effect on the brain.

• Lay your child on their side in a safe place, such as the floor, so saliva or vomit can drain.
• Put nothing in their mouth — no fingers, cloth or medicine. Don't hold them down.
• Note when it started; if possible, record a video for the doctor.
• Sleepiness or confusion afterward is common. Watch that they are breathing well.
• After a first seizure, see a doctor even if it has stopped.

💬FAQ