Fever in Children: When Should You Worry?

Few things make parents worry faster than seeing a high number on the thermometer.

But fever itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A fever is often the body’s natural response to fighting an infection.

For most children, how they are acting is just as important as the number on the thermometer.

Pay attention to whether your child is drinking fluids, urinating normally, alert and interacting with you, breathing comfortably, and improving when the fever comes down.

One important exception is a baby younger than 3 months. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months requires prompt medical evaluation.

For older children, contact your pediatric provider if you are concerned about the height or duration of a fever, your child seems unusually ill, isn’t drinking, has trouble breathing, develops a concerning rash, or has other worrisome symptoms.

And remember: parents know their children. If you’re worried, call us. We’d much rather answer your question than have you sitting at home wondering.

NEED AN APPOINTMENT? If you’re unsure whether your child needs to be seen, give our office a call. We’re here to answer questions, help you decide the next step, and care for your child when they need us.