Fever in children

Fevers, also known as a high temperature, are common in children. An ordinary cold can cause a high fever so a fever by itself does not tell you whether your child is seriously unwell.

A fever (temperature higher than 38ºC) is usually caused by an infection such as a cold. It should return to normal (around 37ºC) within a few days. You can take their temperature with a thermometer, read more about thermometers and how to use them. In most cases your tamariki with a fever can be cared for at home.

COVID-19 pandemic
A fever, with or without respiratory symptoms such as a cough or runny nose, could also be a COVID infection. Test for COVID-19 and stay home until well or sure this isn’t COVID.

How to care for your child/tamariki with a fever

Fluids: Give your child plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Encourage them to eat small, healthy meals or snacks.
Rest: Give them extra rest.
Clothing: Undress your child so they are just wearing a single layer (maybe a singlet and pants). Make sure the room is not too hot or too cold.
Check them regularly: You may need to give them extra cuddles and let them be closer to you.
Medicine: Give medication if needed and always follow the label to make sure it’s the right dose for your child’s age, weight and illness. See below for information on medication.

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Important: babies under 3 months old should be seen by a doctor
If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever, make sure you consult a healthcare professional. If you are worried about them, take them to your doctor even if they do not have a fever. Some babies may have an unstable temperature with an infection – they may be colder than normal – in a sick baby this is a worrying sign and is a reason to see a doctor urgently. Babies get fevers for the same reasons as older children, but they are not as good at fighting off infections.

Important: babies under 3 months old should be seen by a doctor

If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever, make sure you consult a healthcare professional.
If you are worried about them, take them to your doctor even if they do not have a fever.
Some babies may have an unstable temperature with an infection – they may be colder than normal – in a sick baby this is a worrying sign and is a reason to see a doctor urgently.
Babies get fevers for the same reasons as older children, but they are not as good at fighting off infections.

It's OK to look after your child, or baby over 3 months old, at home as long as they are drinking and eating well and interacting with you.

When to get help

Contact a healthcare provider or call Healthline 0800 611 116 for advice if your child with a fever:
has a sore throat or joint pains is drinking less than half of their normal amount of breastmilk or other fluid is having fewer than 4 wet nappies in 24 hours vomited at least half of their feed for the last 3 feeds has frequent and watery poo (diarrhoea) complains or cries when having a wee (mimi) is in pain isn't improving or is getting sicker after 2 days has had a fever for more than 5 days.

Contact a healthcare provider or call Healthline 0800 611 116 for advice if your child with a fever:

has a sore throat or joint pains
is drinking less than half of their normal amount of breastmilk or other fluid
is having fewer than 4 wet nappies in 24 hours
vomited at least half of their feed for the last 3 feeds
has frequent and watery poo (diarrhoea)
complains or cries when having a wee (mimi)
is in pain
isn't improving or is getting sicker after 2 days
has had a fever for more than 5 days.

Contact a doctor urgently if your child with a fever:
is under 3 months old – young babies need a different and more cautious approach looks unwell and you are concerned is very pale or feels cold to touch is floppy, sleepy or drowsy is becoming less responsive has an unusual high-pitched cry has trouble breathing, has noisy breathing or is breathing fast complains of a stiff neck or light hurting their eyes has a severe headache refuses to drink – even small sips is not doing wee vomits a lot – and cannot keep sips of replacement drinks down vomits green fluid (bile) vomits blood – this may be red or brown or look like coffee grounds if it is not fresh is in severe pain is not interested in their surroundings (lethargic).

Contact a doctor urgently if your child with a fever:

is under 3 months old – young babies need a different and more cautious approach
looks unwell and you are concerned
is very pale or feels cold to touch
is floppy, sleepy or drowsy
is becoming less responsive
has an unusual high-pitched cry
has trouble breathing, has noisy breathing or is breathing fast
complains of a stiff neck or light hurting their eyes
has a severe headache
refuses to drink – even small sips
is not doing wee
vomits a lot – and cannot keep sips of replacement drinks down
vomits green fluid (bile)
vomits blood – this may be red or brown or look like coffee grounds if it is not fresh
is in severe pain
is not interested in their surroundings (lethargic).

Call 111 and ask for an ambulance or go to the nearest hospital if your child with a fever:
has blue lips and tongue has severe difficulty breathing has any episodes of irregular or stopping breathing has a worrying rash especially one that does not go away when you press on it  is unconscious or you can't wake them up properly.

What causes fever in children?

The most common cause of a fever in a child is an infection. The body's natural reaction to infection is to raise the temperature inside the body. This helps to kill the infection. Other causes of high body temperature include:

immunisation – this usually causes only mild fever
wrapping a baby in too many warm layers of clothing or bedding.

Will a fever harm my child?

Fever is a normal way for a child to fight an infection. Being hot may make your child feel unhappy or uncomfortable, but the high temperature is very unlikely to cause any long-term problems. Some children have seizures when they have fevers. These look very worrying, but even these febrile seizures are very unlikely to cause long-term problems. Read more about febrile seizures.

Medicines for fever in my child

If your child is happy, and they are not unwell, you do not need to do anything more. You do not need to treat the fever with a medicine.

Paracetamol

If your child is miserable because of the fever, you can give paracetamol to make them more comfortable. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose. Read more about paracetamol in children and use our paracetamol dose calculator if you're not sure how much to give them.

You don't need to give babies and children paracetamol before or after immunisation. There is some evidence that paracetamol may reduce the effectiveness of childhood immunisations.

Other medicine

If your doctor gives your child ibuprofen, use it only if your child with a fever is miserable.
Don't give your child cold and flu medicines.
Never give your child aspirin as this may increase the risk of Reye syndrome, which is a rare and serious illness.