Symptom Checker

Fever Myths and Facts

Fever is a rise in body temperature caused by the body’s response to illness or inflammation. Fever itself is a symptom rather than a diagnosis.

Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes in children. Vaccines, inflammatory conditions and other medical problems can also cause fever. Many common beliefs about fever confuse the temperature itself with the illness causing it.

Call a nurse All symptoms

Where this comes from

The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes the guidance behind this page and keeps it current. Their Symptom Checker carries a question-by-question tool for individual symptoms, and it covers this subject as background rather than as a set of questions to work through.

Open the AAP Symptom Checker

When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

Your child looks very ill or is getting worse.
Your child is not drinking well or shows signs of dehydration.
Your baby is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Fever persists or comes with another symptom that concerns you.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

Your child has severe trouble breathing.
Your child is very difficult to wake or has a seizure and does not recover normally.
Your child develops blue or gray lips or face or another life-threatening symptom.

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

Fever Myths and Facts

Where this comes from

When to see a doctor

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

More on fever and infection