Fever in Children: When to Seek Urgent Help

Key Information:

Look at the Child, Not the Thermometer: The height of the temperature (eg 38°C vs 40°C) does not tell you how sick your child is. The most important signs are how your child is behaving and acting.

Breathing Check: Watch for grunting noises or if their tummy sucks in hard under their ribs with every breath.

Activity & Awareness: Serious signs include being unusually drowsy, difficult to wake, floppy, or having a constant high-pitched cry that cannot be settled.

Skin & Rash: Look for pale, blotchy, or blue skin. Crucially, check for a rash that does not fade when you press a clear glass against it (The Glass Test).

When to Contact Us

Please use the guide below to decide who to contact.

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if:

Breathing: Your child is struggling to breathe (sucking in ribs/tummy).

Consciousness: They are floppy, unresponsive, or very hard to wake.

Skin: Their skin is blue, pale, or blotchy, or they have a rash that does not fade under pressure.

Contact the Practice (or NHS 111):

Under 3 Months: Your baby has a temperature of 38°C or more.

3 to 6 Months: Your baby has a temperature of 39°C or more.

Instinct: You do not see red flags, but you are still worried about their condition.

Fever in Children: When to Seek Urgent Help