Alert, drinking and breathing normally.
Offer fluids, check regularly and keep the child comfortable. A high temperature often settles within one to four days.
Read NHS fever adviceHomeTreatmentsFever & feeling unwell
Children's fever & illness · GP care
Look at the child. Not just the temperature.
Fever is common in children and often settles, but age, breathing, hydration, alertness and your sense that something is wrong matter. A clinician can help decide whether home care, urgent advice or examination is safest.
This page is for parents and carers. Children can become unwell quickly; trust your judgement and use NHS 111 or emergency services when warning signs are present.
Choose a suitable route
Choose the right starting point.
Age and the child's overall condition determine the route more reliably than a single temperature number.
Not improving or you are concerned.
Arrange review when fever persists, symptoms suggest a specific infection, the child is not their usual self, or you want clinical advice about the safest next step.
Explore GP appointmentsYoung age or warning signs.
Use NHS 111 for the age thresholds, five days of fever, dehydration or feeding concerns. Use 999 for breathing, responsiveness, seizure or meningitis signs.
Contact NHS 111NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 for a child under 5.
Notice the pattern
What changes the next step.
Watch behaviour, breathing and fluid intake alongside the temperature.
Age
Very young babies need lower thresholds for urgent advice because signs of serious illness can be subtle.
Breathing
Fast breathing, grunting, ribs pulling in, pauses, breathlessness or colour change require urgent assessment.
Hydration
Fewer wet nappies, dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears or refusing fluids can indicate dehydration.
Alertness and rash
Difficulty waking, confusion, unusual agitation, a stiff neck or a non-fading rash are emergency warning signs.
A child can be seriously unwell without a high temperature. If their behaviour or breathing worries you, seek help.
A focused GP assessment
Assess the whole child, with age in view.
A GP can review symptoms and exposure, but an in-person examination may be necessary to check breathing, hydration, ears, throat or abdomen.
Explore in-person GP care01
Describe the illness.
Discuss temperature, duration, cough, pain, rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, urine, feeding and contact with infections.
02
Assess function.
How the child breathes, drinks, wees, wakes, interacts and settles is central to deciding urgency.
03
Choose examination and tests.
The child's age and symptoms determine whether they need a face-to-face examination, urine test or urgent paediatric assessment.
A proportionate plan
Keep the child comfortable and reassess often.
Fever medicine is for distress or discomfort, not simply to normalise a number.
01
Fluids and observation
Offer frequent fluids, continue breastfeeding and check the child regularly, including during the night.
02
Suitable fever medicine
Use only age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen according to the label and professional advice. Do not give aspirin under 16.
03
Escalate when needed
Seek advice if medicine is not helping, the child worsens, hydration falls or fever lasts five days or more.
Do not alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen unless a healthcare professional advises it, and do not give ibuprofen to a dehydrated child or certain young babies.
Prepare for a useful review
Have age, temperature and behaviour ready.
Note the child's exact age, highest temperature and how it was measured, when the illness began, and any cough, pain, rash, vomiting, diarrhoea or urine symptoms.
Know when they last drank, fed, passed urine or had a wet nappy, and what medicine was given with the product, dose and time. Photos can help show a rash.
Explore GP appointments ↗Good to know
Questions about fever in children.
Practical answers to help you choose a sensible next step without trying to diagnose the concern yourself.
What temperature is a fever in a child?
A high temperature is 38°C or more. Age matters: call 111 for a baby under 3 months at 38°C or more, or aged 3 to 6 months at 39°C or more.
Should I sponge or undress my child?
NHS guidance says not to sponge a child down or undress them to cool a fever, and not to cover them in too many clothes or bedclothes.
Can I alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen?
Do not alternate them unless a healthcare professional advises it. Always check age, weight, product instructions and suitability.
What if the rash fades when pressed?
A non-fading rash is an emergency sign, but a fading rash can still need assessment if the child is unwell. Trust your judgement and seek advice if concerned.
Clinical information: NHS fever in childrenNHS urgent help for under-5sNHS dehydration. This information is general and does not replace individual medical advice.