When Should You Call the Pediatrician About a Fever?
The number on the thermometer is only part of the story.
Seeing your child’s temperature rise can be frightening. But a fever is usually a sign that the immune system is responding to an infection—not an illness by itself.
When deciding when to call the pediatrician for a fever, consider your child’s age, symptoms, behavior, hydration and how long the fever has lasted.
What Temperature Counts as a Fever?
A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is generally considered a fever when measured rectally, in the ear or on the forehead.
Temperature readings can vary depending on the thermometer and where the temperature is taken. Tell your pediatrician:
- Your child’s temperature
- How you measured it
- When the fever started
- Any medicine given
- Other symptoms you have noticed
Call a Pediatrician Immediately for a Baby Under 3 Months
Contact a pediatrician or seek prompt medical care if a baby younger than three months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Young babies can become seriously ill without showing many other symptoms. Do not give a baby younger than three months fever medicine before speaking with a healthcare professional unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.
Seek Emergency Care for These Fever Warning Signs
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if your child has a fever accompanied by:
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Blue, gray or unusually pale lips or skin
- A seizure lasting longer than five minutes
- Extreme difficulty waking up
- Confusion or unusual unresponsiveness
- A stiff neck with a severe headache
- Purple or blood-colored spots on the skin
- Signs of a life-threatening emergency
If your child has a first-time seizure, contact a medical professional promptly—even if it stops quickly.
Call the Pediatrician About These Symptoms
Contact your child’s pediatrician when a fever occurs with:
- Fast, difficult or noisy breathing
- Unusual sleepiness or extreme irritability
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe or worsening pain
- A new or rapidly spreading rash
- Neck, ear or throat pain
- Signs of dehydration
- A temperature above 104°F (40°C)
- A weakened immune system or serious chronic condition
- Behavior that feels significantly different from normal
Signs of dehydration can include a dry mouth, no tears when crying, fewer wet diapers or much less urination than usual.
How Long Is Too Long for a Fever?
Call your pediatrician if:
- A child between three months and two years has a fever lasting more than 24 hours without other clear symptoms.
- A fever lasts longer than three days.
- The fever disappears and then returns.
- Your child appears to be getting worse instead of improving.
Your pediatrician may recommend being seen sooner based on your child’s age, medical history and symptoms.
Look at Your Child, Not Only the Thermometer
A child’s behavior often provides more useful information than the exact temperature.
Ask yourself:
- Is my child alert and interacting with me?
- Is my child drinking fluids?
- Is my child urinating normally?
- Is my child breathing comfortably?
- Does my child improve when the fever comes down?
- Is there severe pain, vomiting or an unusual rash?
A child with a moderate fever who is drinking, breathing comfortably and occasionally playing may be less concerning than a child with a lower fever who is difficult to wake, struggling to breathe or unable to drink.
What Can Parents Do at Home?
If your child is older than three months and has no warning signs:
- Offer frequent fluids.
- Dress your child in light, comfortable clothing.
- Allow plenty of rest.
- Monitor breathing, hydration and alertness.
- Use fever medicine only as directed for your child’s age and weight.
- Never give aspirin to a child unless specifically instructed by a physician.
The goal is to keep your child comfortable—not necessarily to return the temperature to normal immediately.
Trust Your Instincts
You know your child best. If something does not feel right, call your pediatrician even if the thermometer reading does not appear extremely high.
The number on the thermometer is only part of the story. Your child’s age, breathing, hydration, behavior and accompanying symptoms matter too.
Save the Fever Guide
Save or share this guide so you can quickly review the warning signs when your child develops a fever.
Need a pediatrician near you? Use Pediatric.me to explore pediatric care resources and find the appropriate type of pediatric specialist for your child.
This article provides general educational information and is not a diagnosis or substitute for care from a qualified healthcare professional. If your child appears seriously ill or is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care.
