Fever in Infants and Children | Symptoms

When should I call my doctor?

If your child has any of the following warning signs, call your family doctor right away.

• Constant vomiting or diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Earache or pulling at ears
• Fever comes and goes over several days
• High-pitched crying
• Irritability
• No appetite
• Pale appearance
• Seizures
• Severe headache
• Skin rash
• Sore or swollen joints
• Sore throat
• Stiff neck
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of the soft spot on an infant’s head
• Unresponsiveness or limpness
• Wheezing or problems breathing
• Whimpering

If your child is:

Younger than 3 months of age, call your doctor right away if your baby's rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Call your doctor even if your child doesn't seem sick. Babies this young can get very sick quickly.

Three months of age to 6 months of age, call your doctor if your baby has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, even if your baby doesn't seem sick.

Six months of age and older and has a fever of 102°F (38.8°C) to 102.9°F (39.4°C), watch how he or she acts. Call your doctor if the fever rises or lasts for more than 2 days.

Six months of age and older and has a fever of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher, call your doctor even if your child seems to feel fine.