A high temperature (fever) is very common in young children. The temperature usually returns to normal within 3 or 4 days.
What is a high temperature?
A normal temperature in babies and children is about 36.4C, but this can vary slightly from child to child.
A high temperature is 38C or more.
A high temperature is the body's natural response to fighting infections like coughs and colds.
Many things can cause a high temperature in children, from common childhood illnesses like chickenpox and tonsillitis, to vaccinations.
Checking a high temperature
Your child might:
- feel hotter than usual to the touch on their forehead, back or chest
- feel sweaty
- look or feel unwell
Use a digital thermometer, which you can buy from pharmacies and supermarkets, to take your child's temperature.
How to take your child's temperature
- Place the thermometer inside the top of the armpit.
- Gently close the arm over the thermometer and keep it pressed to the side of the body.
- Leave the thermometer in place for as long as it says in the instruction leaflet. Some digital thermometers beep when they're ready.
- Remove the thermometer. The display will show your child's temperature.
If your child's just had a bath or been wrapped in a blanket, their temperature may be higher for a short time. Wait a few minutes then try again.
What to do if your child has a high temperature
You can usually look after your child or baby at home. The temperature should go down over 3 or 4 days.
Do
- give them plenty of fluids
- look out for signs of dehydration
- give them food if they want it
- check on your child regularly during the night
- keep them at home
- give them paracetamol or ibuprofen if they're distressed or unwell - check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're not sure
- get medical advice if you're worried about your child
- try to keep your child at home and avoid contact with other people until they do not have a high temperature.
Don't
- do not undress your child or sponge them down to cool them, high temperature is a natural and healthy response to infection
- do not cover them up in too many clothes or bedclothes
- do not give aspirin to under 16 years of age
- do not combine ibuprofen and paracetamol, unless it has been recommended by a GP
- do not give paracetamol to a child under 2 months
- do not give ibuprofen to a child under 3 months or under 5kg
- do not give ibuprofen to children with asthma or chicken pox, unless it has been recommended by a GP
Read more about giving medicines to children
Call 111 now if your child:
- is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
- is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
- has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature
- has a high temperature that's lasted for 5 days or more
- doesn't want to eat, or isn't their usual self and you're worried
- is dehydrated – such as nappies that are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they're crying
Call 999 if your child:
- has a stiff neck
- has a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it
- is bothered by light
- has a fit (febrile seizure) for the first time (they can't stop shaking)
- has unusually cold hands and feet
- has blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- has a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- is drowsy and hard to wake
- is extremely agitated (does not stop crying) or is confused
- finds it hard to breathe and sucks their stomach in under their ribs
- is not responding like they normally do, or is not interested in feeding or normal activities