What temperature is considered a dangerous fever? How high is too high for a child’s fever? Get the facts and expert advice on managing fever in this comprehensive guide.

Understanding Fever Ranges and Symptoms

Fever is a common sign of illness in children, and it’s usually a normal response of the body’s immune system to fight off a virus or bacterial infection. The normal body temperature is around 37°C, but a fever is considered when the temperature rises above this range.

Fever ranges and corresponding symptoms in children are as follows:

• 38–38.9°C (mild fever): Your child may have flushed cheeks, be less active, and feel warm to the touch.
• 39–39.9°C (high fever): Your child may have flushed cheeks, be less active, be fussy, may not want to eat or drink, and feel hot to the touch.
• 40°C or higher (very high fever): Your child will have flushed cheeks and feel very hot to the touch. They will be fussy, refusing food and drink, and will be very listless (lacking in energy).

When to Seek Medical Attention for Fever

The decision to seek medical attention for a fever depends on the child’s age and other symptoms. Here are the guidelines:

• A baby under three months with a fever, even a mild one, must be taken to the doctor.
• A baby between three and six months with a high or very high fever (anything over 39°C) must be taken to the doctor.
• For older children, it’s important to look at other symptoms and how unwell your child seems. Some mild diseases can produce very high fevers, and severe illnesses can produce mild fever.

You should also take your child to the doctor or emergency department quickly if they:

• Have a very high fever (over 40°C)
• Are still feverish after three days of home treatment, or seem to be getting sicker
• Are shivering or shaking uncontrollably or have chattering teeth
• Have a severe headache that does not get better after taking painkillers
• Are breathing differently or having trouble breathing
• Are getting confused, unusually drowsy, or you can’t wake them up properly
• Seem floppy or complain of leg pain

Recognizing Signs of Serious Illness

If your child has a fever and exhibits any of the following symptoms, they could have a serious illness like meningitis:

• Hallucinations
• Vomiting
• A stiff neck (they’re unable to put their chin on their chest or have pain when moving their neck forward)
• A skin rash that looks like purple/red pinpricks that don’t disappear when you press the skin

In this case, you should see your doctor or go to the Emergency Department immediately.

Signs of Dehydration

If your child is becoming dehydrated, you should also see your doctor. The signs of dehydration include:

• A dry mouth
• Sunken eyes
• No tears
• Their skin does not relax after being pinched
• In babies, their fontanelle may be sunken

Managing Fever at Home

Most fevers last only three to four days, and a mild fever may not need any treatment at all. Here are some tips for caring for your child with a fever at home:

• Give them plenty of fluids to drink, such as water or breast milk for a breastfed baby.
• Dress them in lightweight clothes and use lighter bedding, and keep the room temperature normal.
• Put cool cloths on your child’s face, arms, and neck to help them cool down, but don’t use any rapid cooling methods that make them shiver.
• You can give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re distressed or unwell, but don’t use these medicines just to reduce a fever if your child is otherwise well.
• Don’t treat fever with aspirin in children under 18, as there’s a risk of Reye’s syndrome, which is very serious.
• Check your child’s skin color, activity, breathing, and hydration after giving paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Check your child during the night.

Dealing with Febrile Seizures

Sometimes a fever can lead to a febrile seizure (also called a ‘fit’ or ‘febrile convulsion’). If this happens, follow these steps:

1. Lie your child on their side.
2. Make sure they don’t breathe in any vomit.
3. If the seizure doesn’t stop within five minutes, call 111.
4. Take your child to your doctor or Emergency Department when the seizure has stopped.

Conclusion

Fever is a common and usually harmless sign of illness in children, but it’s important to understand the ranges and symptoms, and when to seek medical attention. By following the guidelines and taking care of your child at home, you can help them recover from a fever safely and effectively.