My child has a fever: when should I worry?
By Dr. Aurélia Nha-Huyen Nguyen Gouez, a family physician and medical director of French origin, based in Quebec since 2016.
Seeing your child with a fever can be very worrying, especially when he or she is small, cries a lot or seems apathetic. Should you seek immediate medical attention? Wait it out? Give medication? Here are a few simple guidelines to help you better understand fever and know when it's time to consult a doctor.
What is a fever in children?
A fever is defined as a rectal temperature above 38°C. In children, fever is a symptom, not an illness. It generally reflects the body's natural response to an infection (most often viral, sometimes bacterial).
Fever is common and often benign, especially in children aged 6 months to 5 years. But there are some warning signs.
When can you simply keep an eye on things at home?
You can usually treat fever at home if :
- The child is over 6 months old
- He is still active, eats and drinks a little
- Temperature drops after Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen)
- No significant respiratory difficulties
- It remains responsive and recognizes you
In these cases, the virus is very often benign and will disappear within a few days.
When should I consult a doctor?
The following situations require a medical consultation:
- Fever persists for more than 72 hours without improvement
- Temperature above 40°C that does not go down despite medication
- The child refuses to drink, is very sleepy or difficult to wake up.
- Marked respiratory signs (draught, shortness of breath, rapid breathing)
- Significant diarrhea or vomiting that may cause dehydration
- Localized pain (throat, ears, stomach, joints, etc.)
- Febrile seizures or history of seizures
When should I go to the emergency room?
This is a medical emergency if:
- Your baby is less than 3 months old with a rectal temperature ≥ 38°C,
→ This may indicate a maternal-fetal infection or a serious infection requiring immediate hospital evaluation.
- Your child has a febrile convulsion lasting more than 3 minutes
- He becomes pale, bluish, very sleepy or has abnormal breathing.
- You can 't get him to drink or he won't keep any liquids down.
Why consult a home doctor in Montreal?
When your child's condition is worrying but not life-threatening, consulting a doctor at home in Montreal can :
- Avoid long waits in clinics or hospitals
- Rapid assessment in a calm, reassuring environment
- Make a diagnosis (otitis, tonsillitis...) and prescribe treatment without having to travel
At Allodocteur.ca, we're often called in to help children with fevers. Our caring, attentive and responsive approach helps to reassure parents and treat the child effectively.
Conclusion
Fever in children is common, but it's important to recognize the signs of seriousness. In infants under 3 months, fever is always an emergency. In other cases, a home consultation can save a lot of stress. Calling on a home doctor in Montreal allows you to act quickly, without exposing your child to other viruses in the waiting room.
