My child has a fever. What should I do?

Fever is common in children, especially in children under 5 years of age. A child has a fever when the temperature in the body is 38 degrees or higher.

How should you measure fever?

Measure the temperature with a thermometer in the anus (poop hole). This is the most reliable. An ear thermometer is easy, but less reliable. An ear thermometer is not suitable for children under 3 months. The entrance to the ear is still too small to measure properly.

What do you have to do yourself?

If your child has a fever, it usually does not need to go to the doctor. Fever is often a normal reaction of the body to a bacterium or a virus. Give a child with a fever extra drink. You do not need to give medication for the fever.
Usually a fever goes away on its own within a week.

When do you call the doctor?

There are situations in which you do have to call the doctor.
Click here for the overview of complaints when you should immediately call the GP or the medical station if your child has a fever.

Learn more

For more information, visit Thuisarts.nl or download the leaflet My child has a fever