Fever (Children)

If your child is less than 1 month of age 

Please bring the child to the Children’s Emergency for further evaluation. Children at this age are very vulnerable to serious infections and will require a detailed check and possibly hospitalisation for treatment. No medications should be given at home at this age, without the advice of the doctor.  

If your child is between 1 month and 3 months of age  

Your child should also be brought to the paediatrician as soon as possible. Depending on the symptoms, further tests, such as a urine test, will be done. Further details on how the test is performed will be explained by the doctor after the child is examined by the doctor.  

If your child is between 3 months and 2 years of age 

• Medications:  
  

When there is a fever, an antipyretic, such as paracetamol, may be given for your child. The dosage of the medication is generally based on age and weight. When unsure, please seek medical advice from your doctor. 

Ibuprofen is another antipyretic, which is only suitable for children aged 6 months and above. However, there are children with prior medical conditions who should not receive this medication. Avoid using aspirin or aspirin-containing medications unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider.  

• Dress your child lightly. 

• Look for other accompanying signs, such as purplish spots on the skin, crying inconsolably, difficulty in waking up, breathing that looks difficult, drooling, inability to eat. If so, please bring your child to see a doctor as soon as possible.*  (See section below for more concerning symptoms) 

*Please consider bringing your child to see a doctor within the next 24 hours, if there is a fever for more than 24 hours without any other symptoms, or if the fever is high at 40 degrees Celsius repeatedly, even with antipyretic medications. Please consider bringing your child to see a doctor within the next few days if the fever lasts for more than 3 days. 

 If any of the following symptoms develop, please bring your child to see a doctor as soon as possible. 

• Difficulty waking or unresponsive. Fever may make children sleepier than usual, but this should improve after fever medications, and the child should still be able to interact with you, such as by talking or looking around 

• Seems confused or delirious. 

• Cries constantly and cannot be settled.

• Unable to sit up or stand, unlike usual  

• Breathing hard and fast persistently  

• Develops small purple spots on the skin that may look like bruises. 

• Skin colour becomes grey or pale. 

• Has a fit (seizure or convulsion); jerking or stiffening movements. Your child may be unable to respond as usual. 

• Cries when passing urine or has foul-smelling urine