Symptom Checker

When to seek medical advice

Your child has a fever if he or she:

• Has a rectal, ear or forehead (temporal artery) temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher
• Has an oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher

Call your doctor if:

• Your child is younger than 3 months and has a fever

Seek medical care if a child of any age shows any of the following:

• Fussiness, or acting abnormally, which doesn't improve even after taking medications to bring down the fever
• Signs of dehydration, such as no wet diapers over eight to 10 hours, crying without tears, a dry mouth or refusing to drink any fluids
• Stiff neck or a headache
• Abdominal pain
• Trouble breathing
• Rash
• Joint pain or swelling

Also get medical help if the fever lasts more than five days in a row.