Fever in children

A fever means you have a temperature of 38 degrees or above. Fever is the body’s normal response to an infection. These infections are usually caused by a virus, sometimes also by bacteria. Fever can also occur as a result of vaccinations. Fever does no harm and won’t hurt your child. Fever will usually go away after a few days. The best way to measure a fever is with an ear thermometer. Temperature is best measured via the anus when using a normal thermometer. Body temperature fluctuates throughout the day. That’s why it’s recommended to choose one fixed time of the day to measure the temperature.

How your child feels and behaves is more important to your GP than the level of the fever. A child with a fever will often act completely out of character and you’ll just know something isn’t right. The child will often have the following symptoms:

• Listless
• Tired (your child may be difficult to wake up)
• Crying a lot
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Audible breathing
• Rapid breathing
• Looking pale
• Drinking less
• Urinating less
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Earache
• Sore throat
• Spots

Is your child’s symptom not included here? Then take a look at unwell child.

This is what you can do yourself:

• You don’t need to lower the temperature if your child has a fever
• It also won’t matter if your child doesn’t want to eat for a few days. His or her appetite will come back on its own
• But do make sure your child drinks plenty. Regularly offer your child small amounts of water
• Your child can do everything they normally do. There’s no need to leave your child in bed
• It’s not necessary to dress your child warmly. Don’t cover your child too warmly either. You can temporarily cover up your child a little bit extra if he or she starts to shiver
• It’s important to give your child pain relief with paracetamol if he or she has pain symptoms, like a sore throat or earache

Do pay careful attention to the dosage if you give your child paracetamol. The maximum dose depends on your child’s weight and age. Please refer to the package leaflet for the maximum dose. Never give your child more than the maximum dose.

You should contact the doctor if any of the following applies to your child:

• Not easy to wake up
• Inconsolable
• Short of breath or noticeable rapid breathing
• Is becoming increasingly unwell within a matter of hours
• Has spots you don’t trust
• Drinks less than half the usual amount
• Vomits a lot
• Often has diarrhoea
• Has pain when urinating
• You don’t recognise your own child and you have a strong suspicion something isn’t right