Should you call the doctor about your child's fever?

Content originally published on July 2, 2014 and last updated July 2, 2025

Fevers in kids can be scary, especially when it’s late and doctors’ offices are closed. It can be stressful to decide if your child can be safely watched at home, if it can wait for a visit to your primary care doctor the next day, or if they need to be seen urgently in the emergency room. How do you decide?

While there are no exact rules, these guidelines may help you decide what kind of medical care to seek for your child’s fever. If you need help, you can always call your doctor’s office.

Go to the emergency room

In infants less than 2 months old, a rectal temperature higher than 100.4 degrees F is concerning for infection and needs to be promptly evaluated. Please take your child to the emergency room right away.

In infants older than 2 months and older kids, there isn’t a specific temperature that calls for evaluation. Instead, you should evaluate how your child is doing. Is she drinking? Is she playful? Is she breathing comfortably? If not, then a visit is likely needed. Seek emergency care if your child is having breathing difficulty, is very irritable or fussy, is very sleepy, or seems confused.

Go to urgent care

Temperatures above 100.4 degrees F associated with other symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea should be evaluated, but likely do not need to be seen in the emergency room. These visits are appropriate for your primary care doctor but can be seen in an urgent care if your doctor’s office is closed or there are no appointments available.

Monitor at home

If your child has a temperature over 100.4 degrees F, but is otherwise acting normally, your child may not need to be seen. Fevers are common with common cold viruses and often resolve with supportive care. Fevers are not always bad! If your child is breathing comfortably, drinking well, and has normal energy, you are likely safe to watch them at home. You can give Tylenol (acetaminophen) in all ages and Motrin (ibuprofen) in children 6 months and older.

Call your primary care doctor

Fevers can be scary for families, and we are always happy to see kids in the office to perform an exam and discuss care. Always call your doctor or seek evaluation if you are worried about your child.

Call you doctor for fevers lasting more than 5 days, fever with no other symptoms, and if you are unsure about medication dosing.

For more information on what care to seek for your child based on their symptoms, visit our Guide to Seeking Care For Your Child.