When Should You Call the Doctor for a Fever in a Toddler?

It is perfectly normal for your toddler to run a fever when her body is trying to fight off an illness. But when fevers persist or continue to rise even after she has received a fever-reducing medication, then it may be time to contact the pediatrician to see if she would like you to bring the toddler in to be seen. Many parents hesitate to call, thinking they can take care of it, but being a good parent means knowing when it's time to let a professional take over.

  1. When to Treat at Home

    • If your toddler has a fever below 103 degrees F and seems to be acting normal (no loss of appetite, listlessness, extreme exhaustion), then chances are you can simply treat the fever with your preferred fever-reducing medication and your toddler will be feeling well in no time. Your job at this point is to keep an eye out for additional symptoms that may be warning signs to call the doctor. For instance, if your toddler is pulling at his ears or complaining of ear pain along with a fever, he may be getting an ear infection, which will require a doctor's attention. Give it about 24 hours as long as the fever stays low and goes away with medication as teething pain can often radiate to the ears, causing your toddler to tug at them just as she would with an ear infection.

      Keep in mind that it is normal for body temperatures to rise mid-day, with increased activity levels, and during sleep, so if you check your toddler's temperature right after she gets inside from running around the back yard for half an hour, chances are good it's going to read higher than it would if she were sitting still and resting.

    When to Make the Call

    • If symptoms such as a rash, stomach pain, sore throat or a visible infection in a cut or scrape are present, you should call the doctor right away. If your toddler's fever goes above 103 degrees F, you should contact your pediatrician's office. Additionally, if your child has a low-grade fever that persists for more than two days, you should contact the physician's office for further instructions.

      The best way to judge how your child is feeling is by observing her behaviors. Be sure to take note of any accompanying symptoms before calling the doctor so you can give an accurate portrayal of what's going on, giving the physician the most information possible so he can decide if your child needs to be seen or if you can continue treating the fever at home.

      The bottom line is that your pediatrician is there for you whenever you need her to be. If you aren't sure if your child's fever is going away or you are questioning if he has additional symptoms, you should call the pediatrician just to be safe. The worst that will happen is you'll be told to treat at home and call again if you need to. Just remember that when in doubt, call the doctor.

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