Fever, Age 3 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child older than 3 months have a fever?
See significance of fever in a child if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note:
- Be sure to try home treatment when your child has a fever. Sometimes home treatment is all that is needed to help lower your child's fever and help your child feel better.
- If you are not able to measure your child's temperature, look for other symptoms of illness. Remember, fever is only a symptom, and often the importance of a fever can only be determined when other symptoms are evaluated.
- It is not unusual for a young child to have 7 to 10 viral infections in a year. Each new viral infection may cause a fever. It may seem that a fever is ongoing, but if 48 hours have passed between fevers, then the new fever is most likely from a new illness.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child had an operation or other medical procedure within the past 2 weeks?
Yes Does your child have a medical condition or take a medicine that affects the immune system?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child have a temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher?
Yes Has your child had a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) to 104°F (40°C) that has not come down after 12 hours of home treatment and medicine?
Yes Do you think your child has a high fever after 12 hours of home treatment and medicine?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child had a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) to 102°F (38.9°C) after 24 hours of home treatment and medicine?
Yes Do you think your child has a mild fever after 24 hours of home treatment and medicine?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 24, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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