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How to manage your
child’s fever
When your child is sick, it is common to also have a fever. Fevers will not hurt your child, they are the body’s normal response to infection. Usually fevers go away after 72 hours (3 days). Learn how to take an accurate temperature and keep a feverish child comfortable.
Tips for temperature taking
Do not use a glass thermometer. Glass can break, and the mercury inside can be toxic!
Fever strips and home thermometers that you sweep across the forehead are not accurate or reliable enough.
Do not use an oral thermometer to take a rectal temperature, or a rectal thermometer to take an oral temperature.
Digital thermometers can take rectal, armpit, or oral readings. They are unbreakable, easy to read, and measure quickly.
Do not use a glass thermometer. Glass can break, and the mercury inside can be toxic!
Do not use an oral thermometer to take a rectal temperature, or a rectal thermometer to take an oral temperature.
Fever strips and home thermometers that you sweep across the forehead are not accurate or reliable enough.
Digital thermometers can take rectal, armpit, or oral readings. They are unbreakable, easy to read, and measure quickly.
Use the right method for your child’s age
There are several ways to take your child’s temperature. The right method depends on your child’s age to ensure accuracy. Click the button below showing your child’s age for instructions on the ideal and optional methods for taking temperature.
Select your child’s age from the categories below to view instructions on taking temperature.
0-2 years of age
Armpit method
Click for instructions…
2-5 years of age
Ear or armpit method
Click for instructions…
over 5 years of age
1st choice: mouth
2nd choice: ear or armpit
Click for instructions…
What if the temperature is above normal?
The degree of a fever does not tell you how serious your child’s illness is—how your child is acting (e.g., sleepy, active, cranky, happy, etc.) is usually a better sign.
Most fevers can be cared for at home (see tips below), but seek help from a healthcare provider if your child:
- Has a fever and is less than 6 months old.
- Has a fever for more than 5 days.
- Is excessively cranky, fussy or irritable.
- Is excessively sleepy, lethargic or does not respond.
- Is persistently wheezing or coughing.
- Has a fever combined with a rash or any other signs of illness that worry you.
Caring for a feverish child
When caring for a feverish child at home, the following tips will help keep your child comfortable until their fever naturally resolves.
ALERT: An infant, child or teenager with a fever should not be given aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA))
Home care
Keep your child comfortable and offer plenty of fluids (water, clear soup, breast milk, etc.).
Remove excess (but not all) clothing and blankets.
Monitor for signs of dehydration.
Check on your child during the night.
Keep your child at home.
Medication
Medication is not always needed to reduce a child’s temperature.
Treat aches and pains with ibuprofen or acetaminophen (not Aspirin (ASA)).
Always follow the directions on the bottle and do not exceed recommended dosages unless your doctor prescribes a different dosage based upon your child’s weight .
Remember that a fever is the body’s natural response to infection, and most fevers will go away after 72 hours.
This infographic was brought to you by ECHO, ARCHE & TREKK
This research was funded by the generous support of the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada (NCE) and the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI).
