Should I use this page, or get help now?
Use this page if a child in the UK has a temperature and you need to know whether to self-care, call 111, or call 999. Skip it and call 999 if they are unresponsive, struggling to breathe, blue or grey, having a seizure that will not stop, or have a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it.
Any baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs prompt medical assessment — do not wait for this article to finish. This page cannot diagnose the cause of a fever.
What counts as a fever in a child?
A fever is a temperature of 38°C or higher. It usually means the immune system is fighting an infection, most often a virus. The number on the thermometer is less important than how your child looks: alert versus floppy, drinking versus dry, consolable versus inconsolable.
Use a digital thermometer. For babies under 4 weeks, NHS advice is an armpit reading. Forehead strips are less accurate. Do not use a mercury thermometer.
What usually causes a fever?
Colds, flu, chickenpox, ear infections, tonsillitis and many other viruses are common. Urinary tract infection can show as fever with few other clues in young children. Most viral fevers settle within three to five days.
Fever after vaccinations can happen and is usually short-lived. If you are unsure whether this is an expected reaction or something else, use 111 rather than guessing.
How should I look after them at home?
Offer fluids little and often, dress them in light clothing, keep the room comfortably cool, and let them rest. Sponging with cold water is not recommended — it can cause shivering.
A pharmacist can advise on paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort. Follow the pack for that child’s age and weight. This page does not give milligram doses. Do not use aspirin in children unless a doctor has prescribed it.
Find a GPhC-registered pharmacy on Pick My Pharmacy if you need age-appropriate medicine or a second pair of eyes on whether 111 is next.
When should I call 999?
Call 999 if the child is unresponsive or you cannot wake them, they are working hard to breathe or going blue or grey, a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or they do not recover afterwards, or a rash does not fade when a glass is rolled over it.
A non-blanching rash with fever is treated as meningitis until proven otherwise. Do not wait for a GP slot. See rashes in children if the rash fades and they are otherwise well.
When should I use 111 or a GP?
Use 111 or urgent assessment for any fever in a baby under 3 months, or under 6 months with 39°C or higher. Also use 111 or a GP if fever lasts more than 5 days, they are not drinking, have not had a wet nappy for 12 hours, are crying constantly and cannot be comforted, or you are simply worried.
In England, Scotland and Wales you can call 111 (NHS 24 in Scotland). In Northern Ireland use GP out-of-hours via nidirect. 999 is the same in every UK nation.
What is a febrile seizure?
Some children have a brief seizure when temperature rises quickly. It looks frightening. Most last less than 5 minutes and the child recovers. Call 999 if it lasts longer, it is their first seizure, they do not recover, or you are unsure.
After a first febrile seizure they still need medical assessment even if they seem better. Do not put anything in their mouth during a seizure. Protect them from injury and time it.
Who should skip this page?
Skip this page if the child already meets a 999 description — call now. It is not a dose calculator, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for 111 when a baby under 3 months is hot. It is also the wrong page for an adult fever; use flu or when to get help.
Common questions about fever in children
- What temperature counts as a fever in a child?
- NHS advice is that 38°C or higher is a fever. Use a digital thermometer. Under 4 weeks, an armpit reading is usually recommended. Forehead strips are less reliable. The number is only one clue — a cooler child who is floppy still needs help.
- Should I wake my child to give fever medicine?
- If they are sleeping comfortably, you do not need to wake them just to bring the number down. Treat discomfort when they are awake. The aim is to help them drink and rest, not to chase a perfect temperature.
- Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen together?
- A pharmacist can advise if one medicine is not enough. Follow the pack for that child's age and weight. Do not use adult doses. Do not guess milligrams from a search result. Avoid ibuprofen if they are dehydrated or have chickenpox unless a clinician says otherwise.
- Does a high fever cause brain damage?
- Fevers from common infections do not cause brain damage. Some children have a brief febrile seizure when temperature rises quickly. That looks frightening; most are short. Call 999 if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, it is their first, or they do not recover afterwards.
- Is 111 the same for children in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- Call 111 in England, Scotland (NHS 24) and Wales. Northern Ireland has no general 111 service — use your GP out-of-hours number on nidirect. 999 is the same everywhere for a life-threatening emergency.