Children and fever

Parents often want to know whether to call a doctor when a child has a fever. In general, get medical help if your child:

• Is under 3 months of age
• Is weak, tired, or limp
• Has trouble breathing
• Has a stiff neck
• Has purple spots on the skin
• Has a seizure
• Has a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit if under 6 months of age
• Has a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours without other symptoms
• Has a fever with painful urination
• Seems dehydrated
• Is not moving an arm or leg
• Is very irritable or confused
• Cannot swallow or is drooling a lot

See also: Fever

Images

Temperature measurement

Next Section

Fever and children Prevention

Review Date: 02/14/2007
Reviewed By: Leisha M. Andersen, M.D., Private Practice specializing in Pediatrics, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)