Cold & Flu Treatment When to See a Healthcare Provider for a Fever By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 01, 2023 Medically reviewed by Isabel Casimiro, MD PhD Medically reviewed by Isabel Casimiro, MD PhD LinkedIn Isabel Casimiro, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and works as an endocrinologist at the University of Chicago. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents When to See a Healthcare Provider for Fever Significance How to Take Temperature When you or your child has a fever, you may wonder when you should see a healthcare provider. Most fevers resolve on their own, but there are times when a fever is more concerning. For example, a newborn with a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) needs to be seen by a healthcare provider right away. This article discusses when to see a healthcare provider for a fever in adults and children. Illustration by JR Bee for Verywell Health When to See a Healthcare Provider for Fever Fever is defined as a core temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C). A low-grade fever is a core temperature between 99.6°F to 100.3°F. In adults, a low-grade fever isn't usually concerning unless it comes and goes. But in babies, any fever at all can signal a serious problem. Infants and Children A newborn (birth to three months) that has a fever above 100.4°F needs to be seen by a healthcare provider as soon as possible. For children (three to 12 months), call a doctor if the fever is higher than 102°F or lasts longer than 24 hours. Other reasons to call a doctor or seek medical care for your child include: Shaking or shivering (chills)Nonstop crying or crying when touchedRefusal or inability to drink enough fluidsLasting diarrhea or repeated vomitingSigns of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual, lack of tears when crying, or seeming less alertThe child has any other complaint, like earache, headache, sore throat, a rash, or pain while peeingThe child has a weakened immune system due to an organ transplant, cancer, or sickle cell diseaseThe child looks or acts very sick Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if any of the following occur: Trouble breathingTrouble swallowing spit or fluidsPurple or blood-colored spots on the skinThe child is less responsive or non-responsiveSeizuresYou suspect there is a medical emergency for any reason Do not give medication to an infant with a fever until they have been seen by a healthcare provider. Never give a child aspirin, as it is may increase the child's risk of a rare but potentially life-threatening condition called Reye's syndrome. Fever in Adults For adults, call a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: A temperature higher than 103°F The fever lasts longer than three to five days The fever does not respond to fever-reducing medication or other cool-down measures The fever comes and goes, even if it is low-grade You have night sweats or swollen lymph nodes You have a known health condition like cancer, heart disease, or sickle-cell anemia You have a cough that produces yellow, green, tan, or bloody mucus You get sick with infections often You recently started taking a new medicine and have no other symptoms Seek emergency care if any of the following occur with your fever: EaracheHeadacheMental confusionInability to bring your temperature down after being exposed to high heat outsideA new or strange skin rashBreathing difficulties or chest painPersistent vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach painPain or burning when urinating, possibly accompanied by stomach or back painUnusual sensitivity to lightYou are pregnantYou have recently been bitten by a tick If you are receiving chemotherapy and your fever lasts more than one hour, seek emergency medical care. Fevers Aren't Harmful in Themselves Although people worry about fever, it's only a symptom of an illness, not an illness itself. A fever is the body's way of fighting off an infection and is almost never harmful. Most of the reasons listed above for seeking medical attention are so you can be evaluated and treated if the cause of the fever is something serious. If you're unsure if your fever requires medical intervention, try this symptom checker for fever to help you decide. Best Ways to Take a Temperature There are five ways to take a person's internal temperature, listed below from most accurate to least: Rectal method: by inserting a rectal thermometer into the anus Temporal method: by placing a forehead thermometer to the forehead Oral method: by placing a thermometer under the tongue and closing the mouth Tympanic method: by placing a thermometer in the ear Axillary method: by placing a thermometer under the arm For babies and toddlers up to three years of age, it is especially important to take the child's temperature using the rectal method. The oral and tympanic methods are both accurate, but only when done properly. The 6 Best Thermometers of 2023 for Home Use Summary In newborns (birth to three months), a temperature higher than 100°F warrants emergency medical care. An infant's temperature should be taken with a rectal thermometer. If you are an adult with a fever higher than 103°F, you should also seek medical care. While a fever itself is not harmful, it can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Call your doctor or seek medical care if you are experiencing any other concerning symptoms, or if you have another serious health condition like cancer or diabetes. A Word From Verywell Kids frequently have high fevers and although it may be concerning as a parent, paying attention to your child's behavior is far more important than the number on the thermometer (with the exception of infants under 3 months old). If your child feels better and plays after you give her a fever-reducing medicine, you probably don't need to worry. However, if your child doesn't have any energy, can't keep food down, has a bad headache or stomachache, or has the fever for more than three days, be sure to call your healthcare provider. 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Johns Hopkins. Fever. Stamford Health. Fevers in adults, children, and toddlers: When to worry. Seattle Children's. Fever (0-12 months). Nemours Children's Health. Fevers. Evans SS, Repasky EA, Fisher DT. Fever and the thermal regulation of immunity: the immune system feels the heat. Nat Rev Immunol. 2015;15(6):335-49. doi:10.1038/nri3843 Seattle Children's. Fever - how to take a temperature. Additional Reading American Academy of Family Physicians. Fever in infants and children. Mayo Clinic. Fever: Symptoms and causes. By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit