When to Worry About a Fever
Worried about a high fever? Learn when a fever becomes a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
What Is a Fever and When Is It Considered Serious?
A fever is a temporary rise in body temperature as part of the immune system’s response, often due to infection. It is generally considered a fever when the body temperature reaches 38°C or higher (with a reliable thermometer: rectal, oral, ear, or forehead). Not all fevers are dangerous, but concern increases when the temperature is very high, lasts a long time, or is accompanied by worrying symptoms.
When to Worry About a Fever in Children
Infants Under 3 Months
- Any temperature of 38°C or higher requires immediate medical evaluation, even if the baby appears well.
Children Aged 3 Months to 5 Years
- Consult a doctor if the fever reaches 39°C or higher or lasts more than 1–2 days without improvement.
- Seek help immediately if the child is very lethargic, refuses to drink or eat, has difficulty breathing, or shows signs of dehydration.
- Febrile seizures: If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or is followed by difficulty waking up → emergency situation.
When to Worry About a Fever in Adults
Seek medical advice if your temperature reaches around 39.4°C or lasts more than 3 days without improvement. .
Concerning Symptoms That Require Seeing a Doctor :
- Shortness of breath
- Seizures
- Extreme tiredness or difficulty waking up
- Severe dehydration or very little urine
(Also: stiff neck, severe headache, new rash, severe vomiting, or diarrhea)
How to Measure Temperature Correctly
- Use a reliable digital thermometer and avoid mercury ones.
- For infants, rectal measurement is the most accurate. Rectal/ear readings are usually slightly higher than oral, while underarm readings are lower by about the same margin.
- Wait about 15 minutes after eating or drinking before oral measurement, and use a dedicated thermometer for each method.
Home Remedies to Reduce Fever
- Drink Plenty of Fluids
- Keep hydrated to reduce dehydration risk and improve comfort.
- Use Lukewarm Compresses
- They can provide comfort but avoid very cold water or ice. For children, focus on light clothing and a cool environment instead.
- Rest and Enough Sleep
- Avoid physical exertion and ensure proper rest and ventilation until recovery.
Fever-Reducing Medications and When to Use Them
- Common options: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and Ibuprofen — the goal is to ease discomfort, not to make the temperature completely normal.
- Children: Follow weight-based dosing per label or doctor’s advice. Aspirin is not allowed for children or teens (risk of Reye’s syndrome). Do not mix or alternate fever reducers without medical direction.
- Adults: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can be used safely if there are no contraindications (e.g., ulcers or kidney problems for Ibuprofen). See a doctor if the fever persists or recurs.
When to See a Doctor Immediately in Kuwait
- Infant under 3 months with a temperature 38°C or higher.
- Any concerning symptoms listed above, or if the fever is very high or persistent without improvement.
- Presence of chronic diseases, weakened immunity, or suspicion of heat exhaustion/heat stroke during hot weather.
Summary
When should you worry about a fever? It depends on age, symptom severity, and duration. Any fever in infants under three months requires urgent evaluation. In adults, a temperature around 39.4°C or a fever that persists or includes warning signs needs medical review. At home, focus on accurate measurement, hydration, rest, and appropriate use of Paracetamol or Ibuprofen — and don’t hesitate to seek medical help when concerned.
SOURCES
- Mayo Clinic – Fever: Symptoms, Causes, and First Aid Guidance.
- NICE Clinical Guideline NG143 (UK) – Fever in under 5s: Assessment and initial management.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) – Fever management and febrile seizures in children.
- Cleveland Clinic – Fever overview and when to seek medical advice.
- Mount Sinai Health Library – Understanding fever and body temperature measurement.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) – How to measure body temperature correctly.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Reye’s syndrome and aspirin use in children.
- Kuwait Government Online (KGO) – Emergency numbers and public health contact information (112).