Which fevers need assessment tonight?
A baby under 3 months with 38°C or higher, or suspected fever, needs prompt medical assessment; so does a baby aged 3 to 6 months with 39°C or higher, or suspected fever. Do not wait until morning or for a home visit. Call 998 for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, difficulty waking, abnormal responsiveness, a first seizure, a stiff neck or a non-fading rash. Seek prompt medical advice for dehydration, fever lasting 5 days or more, or fever with immune suppression.
- Under 3 months: 38°C or higher, or suspected fever; age 3 to 6 months: 39°C or higher, or suspected fever — prompt medical assessment, not waiting for morning or a home visit
- Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, or breathing that pulls in at the ribs
- New confusion, unusual drowsiness, or difficulty waking
- A rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass
- Stiff neck, severe headache with light sensitivity
- Fever in someone on chemotherapy, immunosuppressants or after a transplant
- Fever lasting 5 days or more, or returning after settling — seek medical advice promptly
Sources: NHS — fever in children: infant thresholds and warning signs; World Health Organization — pneumonia
What can you safely do at home overnight?
Focus on fluids, comfort and observation rather than driving the number down. Keep offering small, frequent drinks, dress lightly, and reassess at intervals instead of continuously.
- Offer fluids often, in small amounts if larger drinks are refused
- Use only medicines already appropriate for that person, at the labelled dose and interval
- Do not cold-sponge or use cold baths to bring a temperature down
- Note the time of each dose so it is not repeated too soon
- Recheck how the person looks and behaves, not just their temperature
Does recent travel change the picture?
Yes. Fever after returning from an area with malaria or dengue needs prompt medical assessment even when the person otherwise looks well, because those illnesses can deteriorate quickly and are diagnosed with specific tests.
Tell the clinician where you travelled, when you returned and whether you took any preventive medicine. Do not wait to see whether the fever settles first, and mention the travel history early in the conversation — it changes which tests are appropriate.
Sources: World Health Organization — dengue and severe dengue
Common questions
Answers connected to this guide.
How high does a temperature have to be before I worry?
A baby under 3 months with 38°C or higher, or suspected fever, needs prompt medical assessment; a baby aged 3 to 6 months with 39°C or higher, or suspected fever, also needs prompt medical assessment. Do not wait for morning or a home visit. Call 998 for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, difficulty waking, abnormal responsiveness, a first seizure, a stiff neck or a non-fading rash. For other ages, temperature, symptoms and medical history all matter; seek advice if worried.
Should I alternate fever medicines?
Do not start alternating medicines on your own overnight. Ask a clinician, because dosing errors are common when two medicines are swapped in the dark and doses are not written down.
Can a doctor visit at home for a fever?
For suitable non-emergency fever, a home assessment may be appropriate, subject to triage and provider availability. Fever with any of the warning signs above needs emergency or hospital assessment instead.