Children Fever: Symptoms, Causes and When to See a Doctor

Few things worry a parent more than a hot, unsettled child in the middle of the night. The good news is that most children fevers are caused by everyday infections that the body clears on its own. A fever is not an illness in itself - it is a sign that your child's immune system is doing its job.

This guide explains what a fever actually is, what tends to cause it, the warning signs that need urgent attention, and the practical things you can do at home. It also covers when an after-hours doctor can help if your child becomes unwell after your regular clinic has closed.

What is a fever in children?

A fever is when your child's body temperature rises to 38 C or higher. It is a normal response to infection. When the body senses germs, it raises its temperature to help fight them off, which is why a mild fever can actually be part of getting better.

Doctors are usually more interested in how your child looks and behaves than in the exact number on the thermometer. A child who has a temperature of 38.5 C but is still drinking, alert and settling is generally less concerning than a child with a lower temperature who is floppy, very drowsy or hard to rouse.

How to take your child's temperature

The most reliable ways at home are under the arm (armpit) with a digital thermometer, or in the ear with a tympanic thermometer for children over six months. Feeling the forehead can give you a clue, but it is not accurate enough to rely on. Whatever you use, follow the instructions that come with the device.

Common symptoms

Alongside a raised temperature, you may notice:

• Skin that feels hot to touch and looks flushed
• Shivering, or feeling cold and clammy as the temperature rises
• Sweating
• Being more tired, sleepy or irritable than usual
• Headache or body aches
• Loss of appetite - many children go off their food when feverish
• Sometimes a faster heartbeat or breathing rate

A fever often comes together with other symptoms that point to the cause, such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, earache, vomiting, diarrhoea or a rash.

Possible causes

By far the most common cause of fever in children is a viral infection - the same bugs behind colds, the flu, COVID-19 and many tummy upsets. Viral infections usually settle on their own and do not respond to antibiotics.

Bacterial infections can also cause fever and sometimes need treatment with antibiotics. Examples include some ear infections, urinary tract infections and chest infections.

Other causes worth knowing about:

• A mild fever can follow some routine childhood vaccinations and usually settles within a day or two
• Common childhood viral illnesses such as roseola can cause a high temperature, sometimes followed by a rash
• Teething does not cause a true fever - if your child has a temperature of 38 C or more, look for another cause

Red flag symptoms - when to get urgent help

Most fevers can be managed safely at home, but some situations need prompt medical attention. Trust your instincts - you know your child best.

How a GP may assess it

A doctor will start by asking about your child's symptoms - how long the fever has lasted, whether they are eating and drinking, how many wet nappies they are having, and whether there are other signs such as cough, rash or earache.

They will then examine your child, taking their temperature and looking for the source of infection. This often includes checking the ears, throat, chest, tummy and skin, and watching how alert and active your child is.

Most children with a fever do not need any tests. Sometimes a doctor may recommend a urine test, a swab or, less commonly, blood tests if they need to look more closely for the cause.

Treatment and management options

Treatment depends on the cause. For the common viral infections, the aim is comfort and hydration while your child's body does the work of recovering.

Easing the discomfort

If your child is miserable or sore, paracetamol and/or ibuprofen can help them feel more comfortable. Use the dose for your child's age and weight on the packaging, and never give aspirin to children under 16 unless a doctor specifically advises it. Ibuprofen is best avoided if your child has asthma, unless your doctor says otherwise.

There is no need to treat a fever just because the thermometer reads high - if your child is comfortable and drinking, you can simply keep an eye on them.

When antibiotics are needed

Antibiotics only help bacterial infections. If a doctor finds a bacterial cause, they may prescribe a course. For the many viral illnesses, antibiotics will not help and are not recommended.

Febrile seizures

A small number of children aged between 6 months and 6 years can have a seizure when their temperature rises quickly - this is called a febrile seizure. They are frightening to watch but are usually brief and rarely cause lasting harm. If your child has a febrile seizure, lay them on their side, stay calm, and time it. Call Triple Zero (000) if it lasts more than five minutes or they do not wake properly afterwards, and have any first-time seizure reviewed by a doctor.

When to see a GP

See a doctor (in person) if your child:

• Is under 3 months old with any fever - always seek care promptly
• Has a fever that is not settling, or keeps climbing despite paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Is drinking much less than usual or showing signs of dehydration
• Has a fever lasting more than a couple of days without an obvious cause
• Has other worrying symptoms such as a rash, ongoing pain, persistent vomiting or a bad cough
• Simply does not seem themselves and you are worried - your judgement matters

How 13CURE may help

Self-care tips

While your child recovers, these simple steps can help:

• Offer small, frequent drinks to keep them hydrated - breastfeeds or bottles for babies, water for older children
• Dress them in light clothing and keep the room at a comfortable temperature, rather than bundling them up
• Let them rest as much as they need; there is no need to push food if they are off their meals for a short time
• Use paracetamol or ibuprofen for comfort if needed, following the dosing instructions carefully
• Avoid cold baths, sponging with cold water, or alcohol rubs - these can cause shivering and distress
• Keep checking on them, including overnight, and watch for any of the red-flag signs above

Many fevers settle within a few days as the infection passes. See a doctor if the fever lasts more than 2 days in a younger child or 3 days in an older child, if it keeps climbing, or if your child seems to be getting worse.

References

All sources are Australian government, professional college or recognised health-information bodies, accessed June 2026:

1. healthdirect (Australian Government). Fever and high temperature in children and babies.
   https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/fever-and-high-temperature-in-children
2. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info - Fever in children.
   https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/fever_in_children/
3. Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Fever. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fever
4. Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Fever - febrile convulsions.
   https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fever-febrile-convulsions

Medical disclaimer