Treating a fever If your child has a fever, it's important to keep them hydrated by giving them plenty of cool water to drink. Antipyretics Children's paracetamol or ibuprofen work as antipyretics, which help to reduce fever, as well as being painkillers. More serious illnesses Sometimes a high temperature in children is associated with more serious signs and symptoms, such as: breathlessness vomiting rash fits or seizures Possible serious bacterial illnesses include: meningitis — infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord septicaemia — infection of the blood pneumonia — inflammation of the lung tissue, usually caused by an infection It's important to remember that potentially serious causes of fever are relatively rare.
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Last updated:. How can we improve this page? Email Address e. Message Maximum of characters. Send feedback. Does my child have a fever? The most accurate way to measure temperature is with a thermometer: How to measure a rectal temperature. Helping your child. Taking care of your child with a fever Clothing Keep your child lightly dressed. Extra fluids Fever will make your child's body lose some fluid liquid , so encourage your child to drink extra fluids to avoid dehydration.
Sponging Sponging is unnecessary to help lower body temperature and may make your child more uncomfortable. Medication You should use medication to keep your child comfortable. Two types of medication are usually recommended for managing fever They are: acetaminophen ibuprofen Both drugs are available in tablets, capsules and liquid formulations of various strengths.
When to seek medical attention. When to see a doctor See your child's regular doctor or go to the nearest Emergency Department right away if your child has a fever and: Your child is less than three months old. You have recently returned from travelling abroad. Your child develops a rash that looks like small purple dots that do not go away when you apply pressure with your fingers blanching. Your child is not able to keep down any fluids, is not peeing and appears dehydrated.
Your child's skin looks very pale or grey, or is cool or mottled. Your child is in constant pain. Your child is lethargic very weak or difficult to wake up. Your child has a stiff neck. Your child has a seizure associated with fever for the first time or a long seizure associated with fever.
Your child is looking or acting very sick. Your child seems confused or delirious. Your child does not use their arm or leg normally or refuses to stand up. Your child has problems breathing. Your child cries constantly and cannot be settled. See a doctor within one to two days if your child has a fever and: Your child is between three and six months old.
Your child has specific pain, such as ear or throat pain that may require evaluation. Your child has had a fever for more than three days. The fever went away for over 24 hours and then came back. Your child has a bacterial infection that is being treated with an antibiotic, but the fever is not going away after two to three days of starting the antibiotic. Your child cries when going to the bathroom. You have other concerns or questions. Myths about fever There are many myths about fever, and some of these myths may make you worry unnecessarily.
Myth: Fever needs to be treated with medication This is wrong! Myth: The exact number of the temperature is useful That is wrong! Myth: Fevers cause brain damage That is wrong! Myth: Fevers are bad for children That is wrong! Myth: Fevers should always respond to ibuprofen or acetaminophen That is wrong! Myth: Fevers should respond quickly to antibiotics That is wrong!
Myth: Treating the fever will prevent febrile seizures This is wrong! Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.
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Fever Months. Is this your child's symptom? An abnormal high body temperature Fever is the only symptom. Your child has a true fever if: Rectal bottom , Ear or Forehead temperature: Forehead strips are not accurate. Causes of Fever Overview. Almost all fevers are caused by a new infection. Viruses cause 10 times more infections than bacteria.
The number of germs that cause an infection are in the hundreds. When to see your doctor about fever and high temperature Babies under three months with a fever should be taken to a hospital emergency department straight away.
You should also see a GP if your child: looks sicker than before — for example, your child is more pale, lethargic and weak has some trouble breathing is drowsy seems mildly dehydrated, refuses to drink or is weeing less often complains of a stiff neck, a mild headache or light hurting their eyes vomits or has diarrhoea suffers mild pain or discomfort.
Fever treatment Fever in itself is rarely harmful. Generally, children handle fever well. If your child has a fever, the most important thing is to make sure your child is drinking enough to avoid dehydration : If your breastfed child is younger than six months, offer extra breastfeeds. If your formula-fed child is younger than six months, offer the usual amount of formula.
If your baby is older than six months, keep breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. You can also offer your child clear fluids like water. You can buy these from pharmacies and many supermarkets.
You might need to give your child smaller amounts of fluid, but more often.
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