Fever

Introduction

Your child’s body temperature can change depending on a range of different things like:

• age
• time of day
• emotions
• whether they are awake or asleep
• how much they have been moving around
• illness.

The average body temperature in children is between 36.5 and 38^oC. 

A fever is when body temperature is over 38^oC. Fever can be a sign that the body is fighting off illness or infection. 

The immune system raises your child’s body temperature to help the body work faster to fight illness and to make it harder for bacteria and viruses to live.

Fever is very common in children as they are at a higher risk of illness and infection.

Fever can be serious if it:

• lasts longer than three days without going down
• is high in a baby under three months old
• causes a seizure.

Seizures caused by fever are called febrile seizures. They happen when fever disrupts your child’s regular brain activity.

A fever is usually found by checking your child’s body temperature by placing your hand on their forehead, then confirming by using a thermometer.

Your child will generally look unwell and feel very warm or hot. 

They might also be:

• sweaty
• shivering
• shaking
• chattering their teeth
• flushed in the face.

Take your child to your local doctor or emergency department as soon as possible if they have a high fever and they:

• are under three months old
• have a bulging fontanelle, the soft spot on a baby’s head
• have a chronic illness 
• are undergoing treatment, like chemotherapy
• are in pain
• have difficulty swallowing
• are struggling to breathe properly
• develop a rash
• have stiffness in the neck
• are vomiting
• have sensitivity to light
• are unusually tired and irritable
• have had a fever for longer than three days
• have travelled overseas recently
• have had contact with someone sick with a severe infection or illness.

If your child is older and has a fever because of a cold or flu, they can generally be managed at home.

Always speak to your doctor if you are not sure.

The doctor or nurse will use a thermometer to check your child’s temperature and confirm whether they have a fever. They may also do some tests to find out what is causing the fever.

Tests can include:

• a physical examination
• a blood test
• a urine test
• a swab of the nose and throat. 

Your child’s doctor will let you know if the fever can be managed at home or whether your child needs to be admitted to the hospital.

Mild fevers caused by a virus can usually be treated at home.

You can give over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat a mild fever at home. Follow the instructions on the packet closely to find the correct dose for your child.

Over-the-counter pain relief will not cure the illness causing the fever, but it will give your child some relief from symptoms while they get better.

Never give a child aspirin to manage fever. Aspirin can cause severe and life-threatening illness in children.

You can also dress your child in light, cool clothing and encourage them to:

• get lots of rest
• drink plenty of fluids
• avoid drinks that have sugar and caffeine
• use a wet washcloth to cool down, rather than having a bath or shower.

Viral illnesses will usually get better on their own. Speak to your local doctor if your child does not get better or seems to get worse.

Children with fever caused by a bacterial infection may be given antibiotics by the doctor. Antibiotics are medications that kill off harmful, illness-causing bacteria.

Bacterial infection can cause serious illnesses, such as:

• urinary tract infections
• pneumonia – infection of the lungs
• meningitis – infection of the blood and brain.