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Fever in children under 5 years

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This advice is intended for parents/carers taking their child home after consulting a doctor.  Your doctor may recommend different treatments depending on your child's condition.

This is discharge advice for carers of children younger than 5 years who have a fever where we may not know the cause.

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About fever in children
  • Fever is extremely common in children and usually suggests that your child has an infection
  • Your child has a fever if their temperature is over 38°C. The most accurate way of measuring your child’s temperature is with a digital thermometer
  • Viral infections are far more common than bacterial infections. Symptoms such as runny nose, cough, wheeze, sore throat, red eyes and diarrhoea are more suggestive of a viral infection than a bacterial infection. If a number of people are unwell in the same household, this also suggests a viral infection (because viral infections are easily spread)
  • Viral infections tend to get better on their own and do not need treatment with antibiotics
How can I look after my child?
  • Offer them simple food and regular drinks. If your baby is breastfed, continue breast feeding
  • If they are vomiting, offer small frequent drinks as this is more likely to stay down
  • Do not try to control your child’s temperature with tepid sponging or fans
  • Keep an eye on your child day and night and follow the guidance overleaf
  • If a rash appears do 'the Glass Test' (see guidance below)
  • Fever is common in babies up to 48 hours after receiving immunisations - consider giving regular paracetamol. If your child is due their vaccinations, postpone until after their fever has improved
  • If you need to keep your child away from nursery or school while they are unwell and have a fever please notify the nursery or school
Using medicines to help
  • Consider giving paracetamol or ibuprofen for comfort
  • Use one and if your child has not improved 2-3 hours later you may want to try giving the other medicine
  • Carefully read the instructions on the medicine for dose and frequency.  Although both are very safe when used correctly, they may be harmful if too large a dose is given, or if given too often
  • You could ask your local pharmacist for more advice about medicines
  • In general, we do not recommend cough medicines
The Glass Test

Do the ‘glass test’ if your child has a rash. Press a glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the spots through the glass and they do not fade as you press the glass onto the skin then this is called a ‘non-blanching rash’.

If you see this type of rash, seek medical advice immediately.

The rash is harder to see on dark skin so check paler areas, such as palms of the hands, soles of the feet and tummy.

 

(Photo courtesy of the Meningitis Research Foundation 2013)

When should I get help?

Advice for parents and carers of children younger than 5 years

 

 

Content adapted with permission from the what0-18.nhs.uk resource produced by the Healthier Together initiative