Fever is one of the most common reasons parents worry about their child’s health. In many cases, a fever is the body’s response to an infection and may improve with appropriate care and monitoring. However, a fever can sometimes be associated with a serious illness, especially in very young babies or when other concerning symptoms are present.
Therefore, parents should not judge the seriousness of a fever by temperature alone. A child’s age, behaviour, breathing, hydration, alertness, and accompanying symptoms can all be important.
The key is to know when a child can be monitored at home, when a doctor should be contacted, and when urgent hospital care is needed.
What Is Considered a Fever in Children?
A fever generally means that a child’s body temperature is higher than the normal range.
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is commonly considered a fever when measured accurately. However, the reading can vary depending on the method and site of measurement.
For example, temperatures may be measured using:
- A digital thermometer
- Oral measurement in children old enough to use it correctly
- Underarm measurement
- Ear measurement with an appropriate device
Parents should follow the thermometer manufacturer’s instructions and ask a healthcare professional if they are unsure how to measure their child’s temperature correctly.
Why Do Children Get Fevers?
Fever is a symptom rather than a disease itself.
The most common cause is an infection. A child’s body temperature may rise while the immune system responds to bacteria, viruses, or other causes of illness.
Possible causes include:
- Common viral infections
- Throat or ear infections
- Respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Certain bacterial infections
- Inflammatory conditions in some cases
However, the cause cannot always be determined from the temperature alone. Therefore, persistent or concerning symptoms should be medically evaluated.
Is a High Fever Always More Dangerous?
Not necessarily.
A high temperature does not always mean that a child has a more serious illness. Similarly, a lower fever does not always mean that the illness is harmless.
A child’s overall condition can be more important than the exact number on the thermometer.
For example, parents should observe whether the child is:
- Alert and responsive
- Breathing comfortably
- Drinking fluids
- Urinating normally
- Able to interact
- Becoming unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
Therefore, changes in behaviour and other symptoms should be considered along with the temperature.
What Are the Common Symptoms That Can Occur With Fever?
Depending on the cause, a child with fever may also experience:
- Tiredness
- Reduced appetite
- Body aches
- Headache
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Irritability
Some children may also shiver or complain of feeling cold while their temperature is rising.
However, parents should watch for symptoms that are unusual, severe, or getting worse.
When Should Parents Take a Baby With Fever to the Hospital?
Age is particularly important when a baby has a fever.
For babies younger than 3 months, a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher requires prompt medical assessment.
Very young babies can become seriously ill without showing many obvious symptoms. Therefore, parents should not wait to see whether the fever improves before seeking medical advice.
For older infants and children, the urgency depends on the child’s overall condition, temperature, duration of fever, and accompanying symptoms.
When Should Parents Seek Urgent Medical Help for a Child With Fever?
Seek urgent medical attention if a child with fever has any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing or very fast breathing
- Blue, grey, unusually pale, or blotchy skin
- Severe weakness or extreme drowsiness
- Difficulty waking the child
- Confusion or unusual behaviour
- A seizure or convulsion
- A stiff neck
- A severe or rapidly spreading rash
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe headache
- Severe pain
- A child who appears seriously unwell
These symptoms may indicate a serious illness and require prompt medical evaluation.
How Can You Tell If a Child Is Having Difficulty Breathing?
Breathing difficulty in a child should always be taken seriously.
Warning signs may include:
- Very fast breathing
- Struggling to breathe
- Chest or ribs pulling inward while breathing
- Noisy breathing
- Grunting
- Pauses in breathing
- Blue or grey colour around the lips
If your child is having significant difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Can a Fever Cause a Seizure in Children?
Some young children may experience a febrile seizure, which is a seizure associated with fever.
During a seizure, a child may:
- Become unresponsive
- Have jerking or shaking movements
- Become stiff
- Roll their eyes
- Have difficulty responding normally
Although febrile seizures are often brief, a child having a seizure requires immediate medical attention.
If a child is having a seizure:
- Place the child on their side in a safe position
- Move harmful objects away
- Do not put anything in the child’s mouth
- Do not try to hold the child down
- Note how long the seizure lasts
- Seek urgent medical help
What Are the Signs of Dehydration in a Child With Fever?
Fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and poor fluid intake can increase the risk of dehydration.
Signs of dehydration may include:
- Dry mouth or tongue
- No tears when crying
- Reduced urination
- Very dark urine
- Sunken eyes
- Unusual sleepiness
- Weakness
- Poor drinking
In babies, parents may notice fewer wet diapers than usual.
Severe dehydration requires urgent medical care.
