Fever
What are the causes of a fever?
Fevers are common in young children. They are usually caused by viral infections and clear up without treatment. However, a fever can occasionally be a sign of a more serious illness such as a severe bacterial infection of the blood (septicaemia), urinary tract infection, pneumonia or meningitis.
What are the signs & symptoms of a fever?
A child with a significant fever will have a body temperature above 38c. Your child may also feel tired, look pale, have a poor appetite, be irritable, have a headache or other aches and pains and feel generally unwell. Take the temperature from the armpit, using an electronic thermometer (don’t use in the mouth of under 5s) or use an ear thermometer. Remember that measurements from under the arm are less accurate as the armpit is slightly cooler.
How is a fever normally diagnosed & treated?
If your child is having trouble drinking, trying to reduce their temperature may help with this. It is important in preventing your child from becoming dehydrated, which can cause kidney problems. Your child’s urine should be pale yellow – if it is darker, your child needs to drink more fluids.
What happens next?
Seek medical advice if babies under three months have a temperature of 38°C or more, and if babies three to six months old have a temperature of 39C or more.
