A fever is a high temperature of 38C or more. It's not usually a sign of anything serious and children over 3 months can often be treated at home.
A fever is a high temperature of 38C or more. A child with a fever may also be hot, sweaty and have red cheeks.
You can usually treat a fever by making sure your child rests and drinks plenty of fluids. Get medical advice if you're worried about your child.
Read more on the NHS website.
A fever is a high temperature of 38C or more. A child with a fever may also be hot, sweaty and have red cheeks.
Checking a high temperature
Your child might:
- feel hotter than usual to the touch on their forehead, back or tummy
- feel sweaty or clammy
- have red cheeks
Use a digital thermometer, which you can buy from pharmacies and supermarkets, to take your child's temperature.
Read more on the NHS website.
You can usually treat a fever by making sure your child rests and drinks plenty of fluids. Get medical advice if you're worried about your child.
Self-care
You can usually look after your child or baby at home. The temperature should go down over 3 or 4 days.
Do
- give them plenty of fluids
- look out for signs of dehydration
- give them food if they want it
- check on your child regularly during the night
- keep them at home
- give them paracetamol or ibuprofen if they're distressed or unwell
- get medical advice if you're worried about your child
Don't
- do not undress your child or sponge them down to cool them – fever is a natural and healthy response to infection
- do not cover them up in too many clothes or bedclothes
- do not give aspirin to under 16s
- do not combine ibuprofen and paracetamol, unless a GP tells you to
- do not give paracetamol to a child under 2 months
- do not give ibuprofen to a child under 3 months or under 5kg
- do not give ibuprofen to children with asthma
Read more on the NHS website.