Fever in Children — What to Do at Home & When to Call a Doctor

in children is one of the most common reasons parents seek medical advice. A raised body temperature is usually a sign that the immune system is fighting an infection — most often viral. itself is not an illness and does not always require medication. What matters most is your child’s age, how they look and behave, how high the temperature is, and how long it lasts. This guide helps you manage fever safely at home and recognise when professional care is needed.

Common Causes of Fever in Children

Viral infections — common cold, flu, roseola, hand-foot-and-mouth disease; the most frequent cause
Bacterial infections — ear infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, pneumonia
Teething — may cause mild temperature elevation (below 38°C) but does not cause high fever alone
Post-vaccination fever — normal immune response, typically within 24–48 hours of vaccination
Heat exhaustion — from overdressing or hot environments, especially in infants
Less common serious causes — meningitis, sepsis, Kawasaki disease — require urgent recognition

What Counts as a Fever?

Age	Fever Definition	Action Level
Under 3 months	Rectal temp 38°C (100.4°F) or above	See doctor same day — always
3–36 months	38°C or above	Home care if well-appearing; see doctor if persists 24–48 hrs
Over 3 years	38°C or above	Home care if comfortable; treat if distressed
Any age	39.4°C (103°F) or above	Give antipyretic; seek care if not improving

How your child looks matters more than the number. A child playing and drinking with a temperature of 39°C is less concerning than a lethargic, floppy child with 38°C.

Clinical guidance from CDC^[1] stresses matching home care to symptom severity and seeking urgent review when red-flag signs appear.

Home Care Steps

Safe fever management at home

Keep your child hydrated

Offer small, frequent sips of water, oral rehydration solution, breast milk, or diluted juice. Dehydration is the main risk during fever — watch for dry mouth, sunken eyes, or fewer wet nappies.

Dress lightly

Light cotton clothing and a thin blanket if needed. Do not bundle in heavy layers — this traps heat. Do not use cold baths or alcohol rubs; both can cause shivering and worsen discomfort.

Give paracetamol if your child is uncomfortable

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is first-line. Dose by weight, not age — typically 15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours. Maximum 4 doses in 24 hours. Use an accurate syringe, not a kitchen spoon.

for children over 3 months (over 5 kg)

Ibuprofen at 10 mg/kg every 6–8 hours if paracetamol alone is insufficient. Do not alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen without medical advice. Avoid ibuprofen if dehydrated or with chickenpox.

Encourage rest

Quiet activities are fine if your child feels up to it. Strict bed rest is not necessary. Monitor closely — check temperature every 4–6 hours and note behaviour changes.

Use lukewarm sponging only if distressed

Tepid (not cold) water on forehead and body can provide comfort alongside medication. Never use ice water — it causes shivering, which raises core temperature.

Never give aspirin to children under 16 — it is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious liver and brain condition.

When to See a Doctor

Any fever in a baby under 3 months old
Fever above 40°C at any age
Fever lasting more than 3 days in a child over 2, or more than 24 hours in a child under 2
Child is lethargic, difficult to wake, or unusually irritable
Stiff neck, severe , or sensitivity to light — possible meningitis
Non-blanching rash (does not fade when pressed with a glass)
Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or blue lips
Signs of dehydration — no urine for 8+ hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying
Seizure (febrile convulsion) — usually brief; lay child on side and call for help if lasting more than 5 minutes
Underlying condition — heart disease, immunosuppression, or sickle cell disease

For verification and deeper reading, NHS^[2] offers independent, evidence-based information you can cross-check with your own clinician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wake my child to give fever medicine?

Not if they are sleeping comfortably. Fever during sleep is not harmful. Wake them only if they are clearly distressed, or if your doctor has advised regular dosing for a specific condition.

Can teething cause high fever?

Teething may cause a slight temperature rise below 38°C and mild irritability. Temperature above 38°C during teething usually indicates a concurrent infection — do not attribute high fever to teething alone.

Are febrile seizures dangerous?

Febrile seizures — brief convulsions during rapid temperature rise — occur in 2–5% of children aged 6 months to 5 years. Most are harmless and stop within 5 minutes. Lay the child on their side, do not restrain them, and seek emergency care if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or the child does not recover quickly.

When can my child return to school after fever?

Most schools and paediatricians recommend the child be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning. This reduces spread of infection and ensures adequate recovery.

References & further reading

Sources cited in this guide. DIMH links to independent medical institutions for verification — not as a substitute for personal medical advice.

CDC — Child developmenthttps://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/index.html
NHS — Baby and child healthhttps://www.nhs.uk/baby/
NIH — Children's healthhttps://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/childhealth
NIH — Complementary and integrative healthhttps://www.nccih.nih.gov/
MedlinePlus — Herbal medicinehttps://medlineplus.gov/herbalmedicine.html
NIMH — Mental health informationhttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health

When home care is not enough: chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, or symptoms that worsen quickly need urgent medical attention.

Warning Signs First Aid at Home

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for your specific situation. Last reviewed: April 2026. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.