Emergency & Urgent Care
High Fever Emergency (>104°F)
Fever >104°F (40°C) in any child requires medical attention. In infants under 3 months, ANY fever ≥100.4°F is an emergency (call doctor immediately or go to ER).
Very high fever can indicate serious infection: meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection.
Fever with other symptoms (stiff neck, rash, difficulty breathing, seizure, extreme lethargy) is always urgent.
What to Do
- Take temperature rectally (most accurate for babies) - any other method can be inaccurate
- For fever ≥100.4°F in baby under 3 months: Go to ER immediately (infection can progress rapidly)
- For fever ≥104°F in older baby: Give fever reducer (ask doctor about dose), try to cool down, call doctor
- Remove excess clothing, dress in light layers only
- Give fever reducer (acetaminophen for 3+ months, ibuprofen for 6+ months) - ask doctor for correct dose
- Offer fluids frequently to prevent dehydration
- Give lukewarm bath (NOT cold bath or rubbing alcohol) if fever won't come down
- Monitor for other symptoms: rash, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, extreme lethargy
- If fever doesn't improve in 30 minutes after medicine, or goes back up quickly, seek medical care
- Never give aspirin to children (risk of Reye's syndrome)
When to call a doctor
Call 911 or go to ER immediately if: fever >104°F won't come down, under 3 months with ANY fever ≥100.4°F, fever with stiff neck, purple/red rash, seizure, difficulty breathing, or baby is limp/unresponsive.