Your child needs to see a doctor right away for a fever if he/she:
- is less than 6 months of age
- has a fever higher than 40.5°C
- has a chronic medical condition (e.g., sickle cell disease, diabetes, cystic fibrosis)
- is limp, less interactive or more sleepy than usual
- is wheezing or having problems breathing
- is grunting or whimpering
- has a stiff neck or severe headache
- has a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the head)
- has trouble walking or is avoiding the use of one particular limb
- has pain on urination, foul-smelling urine, has not urinated in the past 8 hours, or has less wet diapers than usual
- is very irritable and does not calm when you try to soothe him/her
- looks pale, grey, or blue
- is having seizures
- has a rash, bruise, or any red or swollen area on the body
- has had a fever for more than 72 hours
Non-medication treatments
Generally, fever is not harmful to children. The purpose of treatment is to make your child more comfortable.
If your child does not have the previously listed signs and symptoms, you can try the following tips:
- Dress your child in light and loose cotton clothing.
- Keep room temperature comfortably cool (near 21°C).
- Offer fluids often and encourage your child to drink (e.g., diluted juices, gelatin, popsicles). This will replenish the fluids lost from sweating and help keep your child cool.
Over-the-counter medications
If your child is fussy and uncomfortable from the fever, you can also try the following over-the-counter medications:*
- acetaminophen*
- ibuprofen*
Speak to your pharmacist to find out the correct dosage for your child. Do not use regular kitchen spoons for measuring medication because they are not accurate. Ask your pharmacist for an oral syringe or a medication spoon instead.
What not to do
Here are some things that you shouldn't try and why:
- Don't put a lot of blankets or clothing on your child to "'sweat out" the fever. This prevents body heat from escaping and will make your child more uncomfortable.
- Don't use a bath, alcohol bath, or rub to lower the temperature. Your child's body will react to the sudden drop in temperature by shivering, which in the long run will raise his/her body temperature even more.
- Don't alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen or give both to your child unless your doctor has recommended this.
- Do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to children or teenagers with a fever because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome (a serious condition affecting the brain and liver).
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you give your child fever medication, his/her temperature should go down in about 1 hour, but may rise again. You may need to give the medication again as per instructions on the medication bottle. Your child's fever should subside and he/she should be feeling better in a couple of days.
You should bring your child to the doctor if:
- the fever has not come down with treatment or your child is feeling worse
- your child is not able to keep fluids down
- your child has a dry mouth, has no tears when he/she cries, has a sunken fontanelle (soft spot on the head), or is urinating less than usual
- any signs and symptoms listed previously appear
