When to Worry About Your Child's Fever (and When to Call Us)

Fevers are one of the most common reasons parents call us, and one of the most stressful. The good news: most fevers are the body's normal response to a common virus. Here's how to tell when a fever needs attention.

What counts as a fever?

A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is a fever. For babies, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.

Call us right away if:

• Your baby is under 2 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. This always needs prompt evaluation.
• Your child is hard to wake, unusually floppy, or inconsolable.
• They're having trouble breathing, or breathing very fast.
• They show signs of dehydration: no urine in 8 hours, a dry mouth, or no tears when crying.
• There's a stiff neck, a purple or blotchy rash that doesn't fade when pressed, or a seizure.
• The fever lasts more than 3 days, or goes away and comes back.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Otherwise, call us at 212-427-0540 any time. A doctor is on call 24/7.

Keeping your child comfortable

The goal of fever medicine is comfort, not a "normal" number. If your child is playing and drinking well, a fever doesn't always need treatment.

• Offer plenty of fluids.
• Dress them in light layers.
• Acetaminophen can be used in children over 2 months; ibuprofen in children over 6 months. Always dose by weight. Use our medication dosing chart.
• Never give aspirin to children or teens with a fever or flu-like illness. It's linked to Reye's syndrome.

Same-day sick visits

We guarantee same-day appointments for sick children who call in the morning, and walk-in sick visits run Monday through Friday, 9:30 am – 3 pm. No appointment needed.

This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice. If you're worried about your child, call us.