Fever in Children
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, and in children it is usually a sign their body is fighting a common, often viral infection. Most fevers are not dangerous, and how your child looks and acts matters more than the exact number. The big exception: any fever in a baby under 2 months needs medical care right away.
When should I call the doctor about my child’s fever?
Most fevers in children are part of fighting off a routine illness and can be managed at home. Still, some situations need a call or a visit, and a few need emergency care. A good rule of thumb: pay attention to how your child looks and acts, not just the thermometer. A child who is alert, drinking, and playing between fevers is usually reassuring.
Babies under 2 months: call right away
Any fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher) in a baby younger than 2 months needs medical attention right away, even if your baby seems fine. Call your pediatrician immediately or go to the emergency room. Young infants can become seriously ill quickly, so a fever at this age is never “wait and see.”
For older babies and children, here is general guidance on when to call your pediatrician:
| Age | When to call your pediatrician |
|---|---|
| Under 2 months | Right away for any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (see above) |
| 2 months and up | If the fever lasts more than 24 hours or your child seems unwell, has other worrying symptoms, or the fever rises over 104 repeatedly |
Get emergency care
Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if a child of any age has a fever along with any of these:
Fever warning signs that are emergencies
- Trouble breathing, or fast or labored breathing
- Being very hard to wake, unusually limp, or not responding normally
- A stiff neck or a severe headache
- A rash of small purple or red spots that does not fade when you press on it
- A seizure (call 911 if it lasts more than about 5 minutes)
- Blue or gray lips, tongue, or skin
- Signs of dehydration, like no wet diapers, no tears, or a very dry mouth, or nonstop vomiting
When home care is usually fine
If your child is older than 2 months, alert, drinking fluids, and comfortable between fevers, you can usually care for them at home and watch how they do. The tips below help, and you can always call your pediatrician’s office with questions.
What causes a fever in children?
A fever is not an illness on its own. It is a sign that your child’s immune system is responding to something, most often a common infection. The usual causes include:
- Viral infections like colds, the flu, COVID-19, and common childhood viruses, the most frequent cause by far
- Ear infections
- Bacterial infections such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, or pneumonia
- The body’s normal response to some routine vaccinations, which can cause a mild, short-lived fever
Most childhood fevers come from viruses that get better on their own within a few days. One common myth worth clearing up: teething may cause a slightly raised temperature, but it does not cause a true fever, so a real fever in a teething baby still deserves attention.
How can I help my child feel better at home?
When a fever is making your child uncomfortable, the goal is comfort, not chasing a specific number on the thermometer. Treating a fever will not make the illness go away faster, but it can help your child rest and feel better.
Comfort steps that help
- Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Dress your child in light clothing and keep the room comfortable, not too warm
- Let them rest
- A fever-reducing medicine, acetaminophen (for babies 3 months and older) or ibuprofen (for babies 6 months and older), can ease discomfort
- Practices to reduce fevers such as an alcohol bath or ice packs and sponging, are no longer recommended. These can actually have adverse effects for your child.
A few important cautions
- For any child under 2 and always dose by your child’s weight using the label or your pediatrician’s instructions
- Never give aspirin to children or teens, since it is linked to a rare but serious illness
- Skip cold baths and rubbing alcohol, which can do more harm than good
If you are ever unsure about which medicine or how much, your Duly pediatrician and their care team can help.
Who cares for a child with a fever?
Most childhood fevers are guided by your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider. Pediatricians, along with the nurse practitioners and physician assistants on their teams, can advise you over the phone, see your child for an exam, find the cause, and treat it, and they are your first call when you are unsure.
For fast access when your pediatrician’s office is closed, Duly’s immediate care centers and video visits can help with fevers that are not emergencies
For emergencies, the nearest emergency room is always the right choice. Your pediatrician helps coordinate care and refers to a specialist when a fever points to something that needs one.
Frequently asked questions
How high a fever is dangerous for a child?
It is natural to focus on the number, but for most children the height of a fever is not the main concern: how your child looks and acts matters more. Fevers from ordinary infections rarely climb high enough to be harmful and do not cause brain damage. Still, call your pediatrician for a consistent fever of 104°F (40°C), and remember that any fever in a baby under 2 months needs care right away.
Can teething cause a fever?
Not a true fever. Teething can raise a baby’s temperature slightly, but it does not cause a real fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. So if your teething baby has a true fever, do not assume it is from teething: it is worth checking for another cause, especially in young infants.
What is a febrile seizure, and is it dangerous?
A febrile seizure is a convulsion that can happen with a fever, usually in children between 6 months and 5 years. They are frightening to watch but are usually brief and do not cause lasting harm or epilepsy. Let your pediatrician know if one happens.
Call 911 or seek emergency care right away if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, your child has trouble breathing, their lips or face look blue, another seizure happens within 24 hours, or your child is not waking up or still seems very sleepy, confused, or unlike themselves 20 – 30 minutes after it ends. Emergency care is also recommended if your child is under 12 months old and this is their first febrile seizure.
Should I wake my child to give fever medicine?
Usually not. If your child is sleeping comfortably, rest is good for them, and you do not need to wake them just to treat a number. Fever medicine is for comfort, so it is most helpful when your child is awake and feeling miserable. If you are unsure, your pediatrician can guide you.
Where can I get care for my child’s fever in Chicagoland?
Duly Health and Care pediatricians across the Chicago suburbs can guide you by phone, see your child, and find what is causing a fever, with video visits and pediatric immediate care available for quick help with non-emergencies. For any fever in a baby under 2 months, or emergency signs at any age, seek care right away.
Fever Care at Duly Health and Care
A child’s fever can be worrying, but most are a normal part of fighting off a common illness, and the right guidance makes all the difference. Duly pediatricians can help you tell when a fever is routine and when it needs a closer look, see your child quickly, and find and treat the cause. With video visits and pediatric immediate care for non-emergencies, plus primary care for the whole family, help is easy to reach when you need it.
And the one rule worth remembering: any fever in a baby under 2 months means calling your doctor or seeking care right away.
Medically reviewed by Duly Health and Care pediatrician, Allison Croucher, DO — Last reviewed June 2026