When does your child with a fever need to see a doctor?

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When does my child with a fever need to go to the Emergency Room?

You should take your child with a fever to the Emergency Room if they have any of the following RED FLAGS*:

Risk factors: immunocompromised, unvaccinated, complex medical conditions, or recent travel to a malaria-endemic region

Energy/behaviour: extremely irritable (e.g., crying inconsolably), severe pain, unusually sleepy, confused, or having a seizure

Dehydration: not drinking fluids, dry lips or mouth, urinating much less than usual

Fast breathing**, noisy breathing, or trouble breathing

Long duration: fever lasting 5 days or more

Age: less than 3 months

Gut feeling: caregiver intuition that your child needs medical attention now

Skin changes: pale, purple, blue, or cool skin

*This is not an exhaustive list!

** It is normal for children with a fever to breathe a little faster than usual (about 5-10% faster for every 1°C rise in body temperature above normal). This should resolve as the fever comes down.

You should take your child with a fever to see a doctor or nurse practitioner urgently (within 24 hours) at a clinic or urgent care centre if they have any of the following*:  

1. A fever lasting 48 hours or more without other symptoms (may indicate the need for specific tests, such as a urine test)

2. A fever plus a new rash

3. A fever plus ear pain

4. A fever plus throat pain without other viral symptoms (may indicate the need to evaluate for strep throat)

5. A fever that initially improves, then recurs several days later (may signal a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or an ear infection)

6. Caregiver intuition (you feel your child should be seen urgently—trust your gut!)

*This is not an exhaustive list!