Written by our partners at Orlando Health Watson Clinic
A child developing a fever can be concerning at any time, but it may feel especially stressful during holiday travel, family gatherings and changes in routine. Knowing how to check your child’s temperature, keep them comfortable and recognize warning signs can help you respond calmly and confidently.
A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature and is often a sign that the body is responding to an illness or infection. Measure your child’s temperature with an appropriate digital thermometer, encourage rest and fluids, and contact a medical professional when symptoms are severe, persistent or concerning.
What Is a Fever?
When the body detects an illness, it may respond by raising its temperature as part of its natural defense against infections caused by bacteria and viruses. This is known as a fever. A fever is not an illness itself; it is a symptom that the immune system may be responding to an underlying condition.
What qualifies as a fever can vary based on a child’s age and how the temperature is taken. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher is considered a fever, according to guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
For young infants, even a relatively low fever may require immediate medical attention. If you are unsure whether your child’s temperature is considered a fever, contact their pediatrician.
When Should You Check Your Child’s Temperature?
There are several symptoms that may prompt you to check your child’s temperature, including:
- Dry mouth
- Earache or pulling at the ears
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Pale appearance
- Skin rash
- Sore or swollen joints
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain
- Limpness or unusual unresponsiveness
- Difficulty breathing
- Whimpering
An infant may also display high-pitched crying, fussiness or swelling of the soft spot on the head.
A fever does not always indicate a serious condition, but pay close attention to how your child looks and behaves. A child who is unusually tired, difficult to wake, struggling to breathe or unable to drink fluids may need prompt medical care, regardless of the number on the thermometer.
How to Take Your Child’s Temperature
It may be tempting to feel your child’s forehead to check for a fever, but touch alone is not a reliable way to measure body temperature. Instead, use a digital thermometer designed for taking human temperatures.
Three common types of digital thermometers are:
- Multi-use thermometers: These may be used to take rectal, oral or underarm temperatures, depending on the child’s age and the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Temporal thermometers: These scan the temporal artery across the forehead.
- Tympanic thermometers: These measure temperature inside the ear canal.
The standard for fever varies based on the child’s age and how the temperature is taken. Follow the thermometer manufacturer’s instructions and ask your pediatrician which method is most appropriate for your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ temperature guide provides additional age-specific information.
Never use a glass mercury thermometer, as mercury can be dangerous if the thermometer breaks. Clean the thermometer according to its instructions before and after use, and never leave a young child unattended while taking their temperature.
Caring for a Child With a Fever at Home
When a child has a low fever but can eat, drink, sleep and play normally, treatment may not be necessary. Focus on how your child feels and behaves rather than trying only to return their temperature to normal.
You can provide care at home by keeping your child comfortable:
- Dress them in light clothing. Offer a blanket if they have chills or are shivering, and remove it when the chills stop.
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
- Provide fluids, such as water and clear soups, to help prevent dehydration.
- Offer ice pops or flavored gelatin, which may help with hydration and soothe a sore throat.
- Monitor your child for new or worsening symptoms.
- Check for signs of dehydration, including a dry mouth, crying without tears, fewer wet diapers or reduced urination.
- Use an appropriate over-the-counter medication when advised to help reduce discomfort associated with the fever.
Do not force your child to eat if they do not feel hungry. Fluids and hydration are generally the more immediate priorities.
Avoid overdressing your child or using ice baths, cold baths or rubbing alcohol to lower their temperature. These approaches can cause shivering or other adverse effects.
Using Over-the-Counter Fever Medication Safely
Over-the-counter fever-reducing medication may help make an uncomfortable child feel better, but it does not treat the infection causing the fever or shorten the illness.
Before giving medication:
- Choose a product appropriate for your child’s age and weight.
- Follow the package instructions and use the measuring device included with the product.
- Contact your pediatrician or pharmacist for dosing guidance, particularly for a child younger than 2 years old.
- Do not give ibuprofen to a baby younger than 6 months unless instructed by your child’s doctor.
- Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager unless specifically directed by a qualified medical professional.
- Check other medicines your child is taking to avoid accidentally giving two products with the same active ingredient.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers additional guidance on treating a child’s fever safely. Contact your pediatrician if you are uncertain about which medication or dose is appropriate.
When Should You Contact Your Child’s Doctor?
Contact your child’s doctor if the fever lasts:
- More than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years old
- More than three days in a child 2 years old or older
You should also call if your child still feels or acts sick after the fever has subsided, appears to be getting worse or develops symptoms that concern you.
Seek medical guidance if your child has a fever along with:
- A stiff neck
- A severe headache
- A severe sore throat
- A skin rash
- Nausea or repeated vomiting
- Behavior changes, such as being more tired or fussy than usual
- Signs of dehydration
- A compromised or weakened immune system
- Exposure to scorching temperatures, such as being inside an overheated car
- A seizure
When contacting the pediatrician, be prepared to explain your child’s age, temperature, how the temperature was taken, how long the fever has lasted and any additional symptoms.
When Is a Child’s Fever an Emergency?
Call your child’s pediatrician immediately or seek emergency medical attention if your child:
- Is younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher
- Has a fever that repeatedly rises above 104°F
- Has difficulty breathing, fast breathing or ribs that pull inward with each breath
- Has bluish lips or face
- Is not alert or interacting when awake
- Has a seizure
- Cannot drink or shows severe signs of dehydration
- Has symptoms that improve but then return or become worse
- Has been exposed to extreme heat, including an overheated vehicle
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists trouble breathing, dehydration, seizures and lack of alertness among the emergency warning signs that require prompt medical care in children with possible flu complications.
This list is not exhaustive. Seek professional medical guidance whenever your child has symptoms that are severe, unusual or concerning.
Handling a Fever During Holiday Travel and Gatherings
Holiday travel and busy family schedules can make caring for a sick child more difficult. Before leaving home, consider packing:
- A reliable digital thermometer
- Any medications your child regularly needs
- An age-appropriate fever reducer recommended by your child’s healthcare professional
- The measuring device supplied with the medication
- Your pediatrician’s contact information
- A list of your child’s medications, allergies and medical conditions
- Water or other age-appropriate fluids
If your child develops a fever before a holiday gathering or family activity, allow them to rest at home and contact their pediatrician for advice. Keeping a sick child away from crowded activities may also help reduce the spread of contagious illnesses.
Once your child has recovered, follow your pediatrician’s recommendations and any applicable school, childcare or public-activity policies before returning to normal activities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Fever
What temperature is considered a fever in a child?
The answer can depend on the child’s age and how the temperature is measured. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher is considered a fever. Ask your pediatrician which thermometer and measurement method are most appropriate for your child.
Should every fever be treated with medication?
No. When a child has a low fever but can eat, drink, sleep and play normally, medication may not be necessary. Fever-reducing medication is generally used to improve comfort. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist about safe products and dosing.
How can I keep my child hydrated during a fever?
Offer frequent, age-appropriate fluids, including water or clear soup. Ice pops and flavored gelatin may also help. Watch for dry mouth, crying without tears, fewer wet diapers or reduced urination, which may indicate dehydration.
How long is too long for a child to have a fever?
Contact your child’s doctor if a fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 or more than three days in a child 2 or older. Call sooner if your child appears very ill or develops concerning symptoms.
When should I seek immediate care for a baby’s fever?
Contact a medical professional immediately if a baby younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher. Young infants should be evaluated promptly because fever can be a sign of a serious infection.
Can my child attend a holiday gathering with a fever?
A child with a fever should generally rest at home. Contact your pediatrician for guidance about the underlying illness and when your child can safely return to gatherings, school or public activities.
Help Your Child Recover Before Your Next Family Adventure
A holiday fever can disrupt family plans, but your child’s health and comfort should come first. Monitor their temperature and behavior, encourage fluids and rest, and contact their pediatrician if you have concerns.
Once everyone is feeling well, plan your next family visit to Florida Children’s Museum in Lakeland for another day of hands-on learning, discovery and play.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your child’s pediatrician for guidance based on their age, symptoms and medical history.
