Fever, Age 3 and Younger

Emergencies

Yes	Does your child have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

Your child has:

• A fever seizure and:
  • Stops breathing. Before calling 911 or other emergency services, make sure your child is in a safe position on the floor.
  • Seizure activity lasts longer than 3 minutes, or a second seizure occurs during the same illness. Be sure to protect your child during a seizure.
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing.
• Decreased level of consciousness.
• Signs of shock.
• Signs of severe dehydration.
• Signs of heatstroke.

Note:

After calling 911 or other emergency services, if your child is not breathing, begin rescue breathing. See Rescue Breathing in the topic Dealing With Emergencies. You may transport your child for emergency care if you can do it safely and quickly.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

Note:

All temperature guidelines listed in this topic are armpit (axillary) temperatures. A child has a fever when his or her temperature is 37.4°C (99.3°F) or higher, measured in the armpit (axillary). For information about taking accurate temperatures, see the topic Body Temperature. If you are not able to measure your child's temperature, look for other symptoms and answer the questions below. If a child has a fever seizure that lasts less than 3 minutes, go to the topic Fever Seizures.

Yes	Does your child have a fever and any signs of a serious infection?
Yes	Does your child have a fever and breathing problems?
Yes	Does your child have a fever and pain? See evaluating pain in a child.
Yes	Does your child have a fever and a new skin problem?
Yes	Do you think or know your child has an extremely high fever [39.5°C (103°F) or higher]?
Yes	Does your baby younger than 3 months have a fever?
Yes	Does your child older than 3 months have a fever?
Yes	Does your child have a fever and signs of mild to moderate dehydration?
Yes	Do you think your child's fever may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Does your child age 3 months to 3 years have ongoing or frequent fevers?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Does your child have any of the following symptoms?

• Vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain: Go to the topic Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger, Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger, or Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger.
• Upper respiratory system or lung problems: Go to the topic Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger.
• Ear pain (babies may pull at painful ears): Go to the topic Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
• Painful urination or signs of a urinary tract infection: Go to the topic Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
• Unexplained skin rash: Go to the topic Rash, Age 11 and Younger.
• Joint pain: Go to the topic Arm Problems, Non-injury or Leg Problems, Non-injury.
• Injury to the skin and signs of a skin infection: Go to the topic Cuts.
• Swollen glands and sore throat: Go to the topic Sore Throat.
• Tooth pain: Go to the topic Teething or Toothache and Gum Problems.
• Suspected poisoning: Go to the topic Poisoning.
• Recent immunizations: Go to the topic Immunizations for information about reactions.
• Recent heat exposure: Go to the topic Heat-Related Illnesses.
• Symptoms of possible exposure to a contagious disease: Go to the topic Chicken pox, Measles, or Mumps.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: June 22, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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