A fever is a body temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. In a baby under 3 months old, that reading is an emergency and requires same-day medical evaluation. In older babies and children, how your child looks and behaves matters more than the exact number.
Key Takeaways
- Fever means 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.
- Under 3 months: 38°C or above means go to the emergency department immediately.
- 3 to 6 months: call your pediatrician the same day. Seek urgent care at 39°C (102.2°F) or higher, or if your baby is unusually sleepy or irritable.
- Over 6 months: watch behavior, fluids, and how long the fever lasts.
- Fever itself is not an illness. It is a sign the body is fighting an infection.
- Call 998 for breathing difficulty, a seizure, blue lips, or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
What Temperature Is Considered a Fever?
Normal body temperature is around 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F). A fever starts at 38°C (100.4°F). A reading between 37.5°C and 37.9°C is a slightly raised temperature, not a true fever.
Dangerous Fever Temperature by Age
| Age | Temperature | What to do |
| 0 to 3 months | 38°C (100.4°F) or higher | Go to the emergency department now. Do not give medicine before assessment. |
| 3 to 6 months | 38°C or higher | Call your pediatrician the same day. |
| 3 to 6 months | 39°C (102.2°F) or higher, or unusually drowsy | Urgent medical assessment. |
| 6 to 24 months | 39°C or higher, or fever longer than 24 hours | Call your pediatrician. |
| Over 2 years | Fever longer than 3 days, or child looks very unwell | Book a pediatric visit. |
| Any age | Any red flag (see below) | Call 998 or go to the emergency department. |
These are general guidelines. A child with a chronic condition, a weak immune system, or a history of prematurity should be assessed sooner. If you are unsure, call.
Why Babies Under 3 Months Are Different
Newborns and young infants cannot fight infection as well as older children. A fever at this age can signal a serious bacterial infection, such as a urinary tract infection, blood infection, or meningitis, even when the baby otherwise looks well. That is why doctors assess every fever in this age group urgently, often with blood and urine tests.
How to Take a Baby’s Temperature Accurately
- Under 3 months: a digital rectal thermometer is the most accurate method.
- 3 months to 4 years: a digital thermometer in the armpit, ear, or forehead can be used. Confirm a high reading with a second measurement.
- Over 4 years: an oral digital thermometer works well.
Do not rely on touching your child’s forehead. Wait 15 to 20 minutes after a bath, feeding, or heavy bundling before measuring.
Red Flags: When to Call 998 or Go to the Emergency Department
Seek urgent care if a feverish child has any of these:
- Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, or ribs pulling in with each breath (see our guide to asthma and wheezing in children)
- Blue or grey lips or skin
- A seizure (read our guide to febrile seizures in children)
- A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- A stiff neck, severe headache or sensitivity to light
- A bulging soft spot on a baby’s head
- Floppiness, unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Inconsolable crying or a high-pitched cry
- Repeated vomiting or being unable to keep fluids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as no wet nappy in 8 hours (see signs of dehydration in infants)
How to Care for a Child With a Fever at Home
Treat your child’s comfort, not the number on the thermometer.
- Offer fluids often. Give breast milk, formula, water, or oral rehydration solution in small, frequent amounts.
- Dress lightly. Avoid heavy blankets and over-bundling.
- Keep the room comfortable. Use moderate air conditioning without a direct cold draft (see air conditioning and kids’ health in Dubai).
- Let your child rest. There is no need to force activity or food.
- Monitor. Recheck the temperature and watch behavior every few hours.
Fever Medicine: Safe Use
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen can ease discomfort in distressed children. Follow these rules:
- Always follow the product label for your child’s weight and age, or ask your pharmacist or pediatrician.
- Do not give medicine to a baby under 3 months before a doctor has assessed them.
- Never give aspirin to children.
- Ibuprofen has a minimum age on the label, so check it before use.
- Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine, not a kitchen spoon.
What Not to Do
- Do not use cold baths, ice packs, or alcohol rubs.
- Do not wake a sleeping child just to give fever medicine.
- Do not give antibiotics without a prescription. Most childhood fevers are viral (see antibiotics in children: when are they really needed?).
Common Causes of Fever in Children in Dubai
- Viral infections: colds, flu, RSV and hand, foot and mouth disease spread quickly once school restarts (see common pediatric infections).
- Ear, throat and urinary tract infections.
- Vaccinations: a mild, short-lived fever can follow immunization (see the childhood vaccination schedule in the UAE).
- Heat illness: after time in the sun or a hot car, a high body temperature may be heat stroke rather than infection. Read about heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke in children and cool your child down while seeking urgent help.
How Long Does a Fever Last?
Most fevers from viral infections last 2 to 3 days. See a pediatrician if the fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2 years, or more than 3 days in an older child, or if it returns after a day or two of improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is a fever in a baby?
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is a fever in a baby. In an infant under 3 months, this needs urgent medical assessment even if the baby looks well.
What fever temperature is dangerous for a child?
For babies under 3 months, 38°C or higher is dangerous. For older children, 39°C (102.2°F) or higher with unusual drowsiness, breathing difficulty, a non-fading rash, or dehydration needs urgent care. A fever above 40°C (104°F) should always be assessed.
Should I give paracetamol to a baby with a fever?
Not before a doctor has assessed a baby under 3 months. In older babies, paracetamol can ease discomfort. Follow the label dose for your child’s weight and age, or ask your pediatrician or pharmacist.
Can teething cause a fever?
Teething can cause a slightly raised temperature, gum irritation, and fussiness. It does not cause a true high fever, so look for another cause if your baby’s temperature reaches 38°C or above.
Can a fever damage my child’s brain?
Fevers caused by infection rarely rise high enough to harm the brain. The cause of the fever matters more than the number.
Is it normal for a child to have a fever after vaccination?
Yes. A mild fever within 24 to 48 hours of a vaccine is common and usually settles on its own. Call your pediatrician if the fever is high, lasts longer, or your child seems very unwell.
Should I wake my child to check their temperature?
No. A sleeping child who is breathing comfortably is resting. Check again when they wake, unless a doctor has told you otherwise.
When to See a Pediatrician
If your child has a fever and you are worried, trust your instinct and call. Dr. Olfa Koobar is a pediatrician and consultant neonatologist at DHCC, Dubai, caring for newborns, infants, and children. See our Pediatric Health and Wellness service for routine and sick-child care.
Worried about your child’s fever? Make an Appointment with Dr. Olfa at DHCC, Dubai.
