Fever in children

It's very worrying when your child has a high temperature. But a fever in children is common, and it often clears up by itself without any treatment.

The quickest and easiest way to find out whether your child has a fever is to take their temperature with a thermometer.

Most fevers in children are caused by infections or other illnesses. A high body temperature makes it harder for the bacteria and viruses behind an infection to survive.

Common conditions that can cause a fever include:

• upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs)
• flu
• ear infections
• roseola (a virus that causes a temperature and a rash)
• tonsillitis
• kidney or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• common childhood illnesses, such as chickenpox and whooping cough

Your child's temperature can also go up after vaccinations, or if they overheat because they have too much bedding or clothing.

Your child:

• has a stiff neck
• has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (try the 'glass test' for meningitis)
• is bothered by light
• has a fit (febrile seizure) for the first time (they cannot stop shaking)
• has unusually cold hands and feet
• has blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
• has a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
• is drowsy and hard to wake
• is extremely agitated (does not stop crying) or is confused
• finds it hard to breathe and sucks their stomach in under their ribs
• is not responding like they normally do, or is not interested in feeding or normal activities
• is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C (101°F) or above and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days
• is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 36°C (97°F) or less and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days

Contact your doctor if your child:

• is over 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C (102°F) or above
• has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature
• has a high temperature that's lasted for 5 days or more
• has persistent vomiting
• does not want to eat, or is not their usual self and you're worried
• has a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol
• is dehydrated, for example nappies that are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they're crying

If you can't reach your doctor, call the 16263 health line.

If your child seems otherwise well, for example if they're playing and attentive, it's less likely they're seriously ill.

If your child has a fever, keep them well hydrated by giving them plenty of cool water to drink.

Babies should have plenty of liquids, such as breast milk or formula. Even if your child isn't thirsty, try to get them to drink little and often so their fluid levels stay up.

If it's warm, you can help your child stay at a comfortable temperature by covering them with a lightweight sheet or opening a window. They should still be dressed appropriately for their surroundings, though. Sponging your child with cool water isn't recommended as a way to bring down a fever.

Children's paracetamol or ibuprofen can bring a fever down, and they ease pain as well. You can't give both at the same time, but if one doesn't work, you may want to try the other later.

You don't always need an antipyretic. If your child isn't distressed by the fever or by the illness behind it, there's no need to give medicine just to lower the temperature.

Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine. It tells you the correct dose and how often to give it for your child's age.

Sometimes a high temperature in children comes along with more serious signs and symptoms, such as:

• breathlessness
• vomiting
• rash
• fits or seizures

Serious bacterial illnesses that may be the cause include:

• meningitis, an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
• septicaemia, an infection of the blood
• pneumonia, inflammation of the lung tissue, usually caused by an infection

Potentially serious causes of fever are relatively rare.