Fever Advice Sheet for Parents who's child is not admitted

Cork Emergency Departments

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What is a fever?

A fever or 'temperature' occurs with a reading of 38.0 °C or higher on a thermometer. Fevers are caused by many different types of infection – they are a natural response and are not generally considered harmful. Some are caused by bacteria and will need antibiotics. Most are caused by viruses and don't need treatment: antibiotics do not work on viruses. When your child has a fever, they may have some of the following symptoms:

• Feeling warm or hot to touch
• Shivering
• Poor appetite for food or drinks
• Vomiting/diarrhoea
• Flushed cheeks/skin
• Being 'off form,' crying, or sleepy

How I know if my Child has a fever?

Children who are fighting infections may have a very high fever, sometimes above 40°C. A very high temperature does not put your child at particular risk of seizures. The height of a fever is not necessarily a cause for alarm: a child coping with a virus may have a temperature of 40°C whilst another child with a fever of 38.7°C may look unwell and need urgent medical attention. Always trust your gut instinct: how unwell your child looks is more important than a number on a thermometer.

Treating Fever

• Paracetamol (Calpol, Paralink) and ibuprofen (Nurofen) can help with pain and fever
• Medications for fever (oral liquid or suppository) can be bought without a prescription
• Rectal (suppository) medications may be useful if your child is vomiting or refusing to swallow
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be spaced throughout the day or given at the same time; both options are safe. Carefully keep track of the doses given when you are providing both paracetamol and ibuprofen
• It is not recommended to use cold water or baths to try to reduce a fever

Sometimes, paracetamol and ibuprofen will not take a fever away. This is okay. The aim of these medications is to make your child feel better – the fever may remain while their body fights off infection. Giving paracetamol and/ or ibuprofen if your child is unwell will not 'mask' a serious illness or prevent a doctor from assessing them.

When to seek advice from a doctor:

• If your child is less than 3 months of age and has a fever, they should always be seen by a doctor, even if they are in good form and otherwise well
• If your child is becoming dehydrated: refusing to drink, vomiting after liquids, passing less urine or having less frequent or lighter wet nappies
• If your child is difficult to rouse, floppy, or very lethargic. Sleeping more often when fighting off infection is normal, but being difficult to waken is not
• Your child develops a 'non-blanching' rash: if your child develops a rash, press it gently with a clear glass. If the rash is still visible through the glass, seek help from a doctor
• If a fever lasts for 5 days or more
• If your child is not improving or getting worse, or you are worried about your child

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