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We've been providing trusted health information for 30 years. Learn More](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/celebrating-30-years.html) - [Teens Home](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/) - [Sitio para adolescentes](https://kidshealth.org/es/teens/) - [All Categories](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/all-categories.html) - [All Wellness Centers](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/centers/center.html) - [KidsHealth](https://kidshealth.org/) - [Parents](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/) - What to Do About a Fever (High Temperature) # What to Do About a Fever (High Temperature) en español: [Cómo tratar la fiebre](https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/fever-sheet.html) Medically reviewed by: [Melanie L. Pitone, MDThis link opens in a new tab](https://www.nemours.org/about/kidshealth-medical-editors.html) [Learn About Primary Care Pediatrics at Nemours Children's HealthThis link opens in a new tab](https://www.nemours.org/locations/primary-care.html) - [Listen](https://app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&readid=khcontent_article&url=kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever-sheet.html "Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker") Play Stop Volume [mp3](https://app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&readid=khcontent_article&url=kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever-sheet.html&audiofilename=KidsHealth_&save=1 "mp3") Settings Close Player - Larger text size Large text size Regular text size - [Print]() Parents might worry when a child's temperature rises, but a [fever](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html) itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — often, it's the body's way of fighting infections. ### What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Fever? A child who has a fever might be: - fussy - uncomfortable - warm to the touch - flushed - sweaty ### What Can I Do About a Fever? Call the doctor’s office if your baby is younger than 3 months old with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If you can’t reach the doctor, go to [the ER](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/emergency-room.html). It's best to keep a child with a fever home from school or childcare until their temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours. If your child is uncomfortable, here are some ways to ease symptoms: - Offer plenty of liquids to avoid [dehydration](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dehydration.html). - Give [acetaminophen](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/acetaminophen.html) or [ibuprofen](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ibuprofen.html) based on the doctor's recommendations. **Do not give aspirin** to your child or teen as it's linked to a rare but serious illness called [Reye syndrome](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reye.html). - **Never** use rubbing alcohol or cold baths to bring the fever down. - Dress your child in lightweight clothing and cover with a light sheet or blanket. - Let your child eat what they want, but don't force it if your child doesn't feel like eating. - If your child also is [vomiting](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/vomit.html) and/or has [diarrhea](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diarrhea.html), ask the doctor if you should give a children's oral rehydration solution (also called oral electrolyte solution or oral electrolyte maintenance solution). - Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. ### **Get Medical Care if:** - your baby is younger than 3 months old has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher - an older child has a fever and: - looks sick - develops a rash - has lasting diarrhea and/or repeated vomiting - has signs of dehydration (peeing less than usual, not having tears when crying, less alert and less active than usual) - has a fever for 5 days - has a chronic medical problem like [sickle cell disease](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sickle-cell-anemia.html) or cancer ### Can Fevers Be Prevented? All kids get a fever from time to time, and in most cases they're back to normal within a few days. The key is to make your child as comfortable as possible until the fever passes, and get medical care when needed. **Medically reviewed by:** [Melanie L. Pitone, MDThis link opens in a new tab](https://www.nemours.org/about/kidshealth-medical-editors.html) Date reviewed: January 2023 ## More on this topic for: - Parents - Teens ## More on this topic For Parents - [What to Do About a Sore Throat](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sore-throat-sheet.html) - [Febrile Seizures](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/febrile.html) - [How to Safely Give Acetaminophen](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/acetaminophen.html) - [Flu (Topic Center)](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/center/flu-center.html) - [Vomiting](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/vomit.html) - [Safe Ibuprofen Dosage for Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ibuprofen.html) - [Diarrhea](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diarrhea.html) - [Fever (High Temperature) In Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html) ## More on this topic For Teens - [Flu (Topic Center)](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/center/flu-center.html) View more Share: - Share to Facebook - Share to Twitter - Share to Pinterest ## RELATED CATEGORIES - [First Aid and More](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/firstaid-safe/sheets.html) - [Aches, Pains & Injuries](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/general/aches.html) /content/kidshealth/misc/medicalcodes/parents/articles/fever-sheet ##### Who We Are - [About Us](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/about.html) ##### Working With Us - [Partners](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/partners.html) - [Editorial Policy](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/editorial-policy.html) - [Permissions Guidelines](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/permissions-guidelines.html) - [Media Requests This link opens in a new tab](https://nemours.mediaroom.com/journalist-resources) - [Contact Us](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/general-information/contact-us) ##### Legal & Privacy - [Privacy Policy & Terms of Use](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/policy.html) - [Notice of Nondiscrimination](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nondiscrimination.html) ##### All Categories - [For Parents](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/all-categories.html) - [For Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/all-categories.html) - [For Teens](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/all-categories.html) ##### Wellness Centers - [For Parents](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/centers/center.html) - [For Kids](https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/centers/center.html) - [For Teens](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/centers/center.html) - [](https://www.facebook.com/nemourskidshealth/) - [](https://x.com/nemours) - [](https://www.youtube.com/@NemoursKidsHealth) [](https://www.nemours.org/?external_id=RE2350803010600) Note: All information on Nemours KidsHealth® is for educational purposes only. 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Parents might worry when a child's temperature rises, but a [fever](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html) itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — often, it's the body's way of fighting infections. ### What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Fever? A child who has a fever might be: - fussy - uncomfortable - warm to the touch - flushed - sweaty ### What Can I Do About a Fever? Call the doctor’s office if your baby is younger than 3 months old with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If you can’t reach the doctor, go to [the ER](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/emergency-room.html). It's best to keep a child with a fever home from school or childcare until their temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours. If your child is uncomfortable, here are some ways to ease symptoms: - Offer plenty of liquids to avoid [dehydration](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dehydration.html). - Give [acetaminophen](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/acetaminophen.html) or [ibuprofen](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ibuprofen.html) based on the doctor's recommendations. **Do not give aspirin** to your child or teen as it's linked to a rare but serious illness called [Reye syndrome](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reye.html). - **Never** use rubbing alcohol or cold baths to bring the fever down. - Dress your child in lightweight clothing and cover with a light sheet or blanket. - Let your child eat what they want, but don't force it if your child doesn't feel like eating. - If your child also is [vomiting](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/vomit.html) and/or has [diarrhea](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diarrhea.html), ask the doctor if you should give a children's oral rehydration solution (also called oral electrolyte solution or oral electrolyte maintenance solution). - Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. ### **Get Medical Care if:** - your baby is younger than 3 months old has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher - an older child has a fever and: - looks sick - develops a rash - has lasting diarrhea and/or repeated vomiting - has signs of dehydration (peeing less than usual, not having tears when crying, less alert and less active than usual) - has a fever for 5 days - has a medical problem like [sickle cell disease](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sickle-cell-anemia.html) or cancer ### Can Fevers Be Prevented? All kids get a fever from time to time, and in most cases they're back to normal within a few days. The key is to make your child as comfortable as possible until the fever passes, and get medical care when needed. Date reviewed: January 2023