fever in babies and children
also known as: high temperature, pyrexia, febrile illness
fever is one of the most common reasons parents seek medical advice. a fever is a temperature of 38degC or above. fever itself is not dangerous — it is the body's way of fighting infection. what matters is how your child looks and behaves, not the number on the thermometer.
contagious
fever itself is not contagious — the underlying infection may be
duration
most fevers from viral illness last 2-3 days
common age
all ages — especially common in children under 5 in childcare
symptoms
- •temperature of 38degC or above
- •feeling hot to touch (forehead, back, tummy)
- •flushed cheeks
- •sweating or shivering
- •irritability or being clingy
- •not wanting to eat or drink
- •sleepier than usual
when to see a doctor
see your GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if:
- •baby under 3 months old with ANY fever (38degC or above) — see a doctor urgently
- •baby 3-6 months old with fever above 39degC
- •fever lasts more than 2 days in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in older children
- •your child is not drinking fluids
- •a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (possible meningococcal)
- •your child is very drowsy or hard to wake
- •your child has a stiff neck or is sensitive to light
- •recurrent unexplained fevers
when to call 000
call 000 immediately if:
- •your child has a seizure (febrile convulsion) for the first time
- •your child is unresponsive or extremely drowsy
- •your child has difficulty breathing
- •a rash that does not fade under pressure (non-blanching, purpuric rash)
- •your child's skin looks blue, grey, or very pale
- •your child has a stiff neck and fever with vomiting
home treatment
- •give paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce discomfort (not to bring the number down)
- •do NOT give both at the same time — you can alternate if one alone is not enough
- •keep fluids up — small, frequent sips of water, breast milk, or formula
- •dress your child in light clothing — do not over-rug
- •do NOT sponge with cold water — this can cause shivering and raise temperature
- •keep the room comfortable — not too hot or cold
- •check on your child regularly during the night
- •a lukewarm (not cold) bath may help if your child is comfortable with it
prevention
- •fever is usually caused by viral infections and cannot always be prevented
- •keep immunisations up to date
- •regular handwashing reduces the spread of infections
- •teach children to cough and sneeze into their elbow
this guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. if you are concerned about your child, see your GP, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or in an emergency call 000. mini mode is not affiliated with any government department or health service.