Call 108 or go to an emergency department
- A fit (seizure)
- Struggling to breathe, blue lips
- Cannot be woken or stay awake
- Rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
- Stiff neck with fever
- No urine for 8 hours or more
My child has a fever. When should I see a doctor?
Quick answer
See a doctor the same day if your baby is under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or more, or if a fever lasts more than 2–3 days, or if your child is very sleepy, breathing fast or not drinking. Most fevers in active, drinking children are caused by viral infections and settle in a few days.
What should I do right now?
Choose your child's age. Then match what you see to a colour.
Book a same-day visit with the paediatrician
- Fever for more than 2–3 days
- Fever that keeps coming back
- Fast breathing or a bad cough
- Not drinking, passing less urine
- Vomiting or loose motions
- Unusually sleepy or very irritable
Fluids, rest and fever medicine as advised
- Playful when the fever comes down
- Drinking well, passing urine
- Breathing normally
- Fever under 2 days
This guide does not replace a doctor's examination. If you are worried, call us. Content to be approved by Dr. Bramhini Nareddy before launch.
What could be causing the fever?
Viral feverRunny nose, cough, body ache. Usually settles in 3–5 days.Read more ›DengueHigh fever, body and eye pain, rash. Platelets need checks.Read more ›TyphoidFever rising day by day, stomach pain, poor appetite.Read more ›Urine infectionFever with crying while passing urine or smelly urine.Read more ›Chest infectionFever with fast breathing or a bad cough.Read more ›Ear or throat infectionEar pulling, sore throat, trouble swallowing.
Is it really a fever?
| Normal | 36.5–37.5°C · 97.7–99.5°F |
| Fever | 38°C · 100.4°F or more |
| High fever | 39°C · 102.2°F or more |
Use a digital thermometer under the arm. Touching the forehead is not reliable.
Questions parents ask
How high is too high for a child’s fever?
How your child looks matters more than the number. Any fever of 38°C or more in a baby under 3 months needs a doctor the same day. In older children, see a doctor if the fever lasts more than 2–3 days or if any warning sign appears.
Should I give a cold water sponge?
A lukewarm sponge can make a child more comfortable. Do not use cold water or ice, which can cause shivering.
Can I alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen?
Ask your doctor first. Avoid ibuprofen if dengue is possible, as it can increase bleeding.
Is there a child specialist open in the evening in Tirupati?
Yes. Nareddy Care Hospitals in Prasanthi Nagar is open until 10 pm, with paediatrician Dr. Bramhini Nareddy and a lab on site.
Does teething cause fever?
Teething can cause a slightly raised temperature, but not a high fever. A fever of 38°C or more should be checked for another cause.
A paediatrician, open until 10 pm.
Dr. Bramhini Nareddy, MD (Paediatrics) · Blood tests in the same building.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bramhini Nareddy, MD (Paediatrics) · Last updated October 2026