When should my child see the doctor for a fever?

Fevers are one of the most common reasons families call us, and most of the time they are a normal sign that the body is fighting off a virus. For children over three months, a fever itself is usually less important than how your child looks and acts.

At home, focus on comfort and fluids: offer plenty of water, dress them lightly, and use the dosing on the label for acetaminophen or ibuprofen if they are uncomfortable. A child who is drinking, peeing, and still has moments of playfulness is usually okay to watch at home.

Call us promptly — or go to the emergency room — if a baby under three months has any fever, if a fever lasts more than three days, if your child is very hard to wake, has trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade when pressed, or is not making tears or wet diapers. When in doubt, it is always okay to call. We would rather hear from you.