Fever in a child: when to see a pediatrician and when to call 103
A child's fever is the most common cause of parental worry, yet most often it is an ordinary viral infection the body copes with in a few days. Judge the child's condition, not the number on the thermometer — and stay in touch with your pediatrician.
Common causes
- Viral infections — colds, flu
- Childhood infections, often with a rash
- Ear infections and other bacterial infections
- A vaccine reaction in the first day or two
- Teething — a slight temperature rise
When to seek urgent help
Do not wait for a scheduled visit if you have any of these signs:
- A baby under 3 months with a temperature above 38°C — see a doctor urgently or call 103
- Seizures during fever — call 103
- A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass — call 103
- The child is listless, hard to wake, refuses to drink
- Labored or moaning breathing
- Signs of dehydration: dry lips, no tears, little urination
- Fever lasting more than 3 days without improvement
Ambulance: 103 (103 from a mobile) · Unified rescue service: 911
Your specialist
Pediatrician
What to bring to the visit
- A fever diary: when it rose, what you gave, how it responded
- The vaccination record or vaccination details
- A list of medicines given to the child
- Information about contact with sick people
Frequently asked questions
When to call an ambulance and when to book a visit?
With any red flags from the list above — call 103 right away. If the child is generally active, drinking and playing, book a pediatrician visit, or a home visit if needed.
A fever of 38–39°C in a child with no other symptoms: what should I do?
Contact your pediatrician even if there are no other complaints: the doctor looks for the cause during the examination and decides whether tests are needed. Until the visit, watch how the child feels and record the readings in a fever diary. If the baby is under 3 months, the child is listless or refuses to drink, or the fever has lasted more than 3 days, seek help urgently rather than waiting for a scheduled visit.
Is 37.5°C in a child a reason to see a doctor?
Look at how the child is, not just the number: if they are active, drinking and playing, keep watching and record the readings. If this temperature lasts more than 3 days, keeps coming back or other complaints appear, see the pediatrician without delay. If the baby is under 3 months, call the pediatrician right away with any rise in temperature, and with a temperature above 38°C see a doctor urgently or call 103.
At what temperature should I give a fever reducer?
Go by how the child feels: if they are lively, you often need not treat below 38.5°C. Specific advice and doses come only from the pediatrician — they depend on age and weight.
Can teething cause a fever?
Teething can cause only a slight rise in temperature, below 38°C. If the temperature is 38°C or higher, or it persists, do not put it down to teething — see the pediatrician.
Low body temperature (35.5°C) in a child: is it dangerous?
First take the temperature again after a few minutes to rule out a measuring error. If the low reading is confirmed in a baby under 3 months, or the child is listless, hard to wake or has unusually cold hands and feet, call 103. If the child is lively, eating and playing, tell the pediatrician about the readings.
More in “Children's health”
- Rash in a child
Pediatrician
The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person. If your condition worsens, call 103.