While most fevers do not require emergency action, there are certain circumstances that may be more serious. Call your pediatrician immediately if your child has a fever and:
- Is two months of age or younger
- Looks very ill, is unusually drowsy or fussy
- Additional symptoms such as a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, drooling, difficulty breathing, repeated and progressive vomiting, or diarrhea
- Has been in an extremely hot place, such as an overheated car
- Has had a seizure
- Has a condition that suppresses immune responses, such as sickle-cell disease or cancer, or is taking steroids
In addition, call your pediatrician if:
- Your child still looks “sick” even after the fever is brought down
- A fever lasts more than twenty-four hours in a child younger than two years of age, or more than three days in a child two years of age or older.
Related Story: Family Health: Ask Dr. Rubin
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