Most pediatricians consider a fever in children to be a thermometer reading above 100.4°F. Keep in mind that the exact number can vary depending on the method used, such as oral, rectal, ear, or forehead thermometers. When you call your pediatrician, be sure to mention which method you used so they can assess your child accurately.

Both acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) are safe and effective for reducing fever in children when given in the correct doses. It’s very important to follow the proper dosage and timing for your child’s age and weight.

If your child’s fever persists, worsens, or they have other concerning symptoms such as difficulty breathing, lethargy, or dehydration, visit our pediatric walk-in clinic for evaluation. Our providers can assess your child and determine if additional treatment or testing is needed.

You should bring your toddler to a children’s urgent care if their fever is 100.4°F or higher and they are younger than 2 months old. For older toddlers, visit an urgent care if the fever lasts more than 3 days, is above 104°F, or comes with other concerning symptoms such as trouble breathing, persistent vomiting, dehydration, severe lethargy, or a rashes.

Even if the fever is mild, you can contact our pediatric urgent care if you are worried about your child’s overall behavior, feeding, or comfort.

Leaving a child’s high fever untreated can be risky. A high fever may indicate an infection that could get worse without proper care. Untreated fevers can lead to dehydration, extreme discomfort, or seizures. In rare cases, very high fevers can cause serious complications.

If your child has a persistent or very high fever, it’s important to visit our pediatric urgent care walk-in clinic. Our providers can evaluate your child, determine the cause of the fever, and recommend safe treatment to reduce the risk of complications.