When a Child's Fever Needs a Doctor
A fever in a child is frightening for every parent I meet. Most are harmless and pass in a day or two — but a few signs mean you should pick up the phone, or come straight in.
First, a reassuring fact: fever itself is not the enemy. It is the body's way of fighting an infection, and the number on the thermometer matters far less than how your child looks and behaves. A child at 102°F who is still drinking, playing a little and smiling is far less concerning than one at 100°F who is limp and refusing fluids.
Watch at home if...
- Your child is over three months old.
- The fever is below 102°F (39°C).
- They are still drinking fluids and passing urine normally.
- They perk up when the fever comes down with paracetamol.
- There are no other worrying signs (see below).
Call the clinic the same day if...
- Your child is under three months old with any fever — this always needs a same-day check.
- The fever is above 102°F (39°C) and does not respond to paracetamol.
- They have not passed urine for six hours or more (a sign of dehydration).
- There is a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it.
- They are unusually drowsy, irritable, or struggling to breathe.
What to do while you wait
Keep offering small, frequent fluids — water, ORS, or milk depending on age. Dress them in light clothing; do not bundle them up. Use paracetamol (or ibuprofen if over six months) at the dose for their weight, not their age. Never give aspirin to a child. A lukewarm sponge can comfort but does not replace medication.
You are not overreacting
I would always rather see a child who turns out to be fine than miss one who is not. If something feels wrong to you as a parent — a look in the eye, a limpness, a feeling — trust it and bring them in. We keep same-day paediatric slots every morning for exactly this reason.