When should you bring your sick kid in? Here’s what I actually look for
Thursday, 2 July 2026
Most fevers and coughs in kids are just viruses doing their thing, annoying, exhausting for everyone, but self-limiting. Your child will likely be fine with rest, fluids, and some paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort.
But here are the signs that tell me it’s time to get them seen.
Come in (or go to urgent care) if your child has:
A fever of 38°C or higher for more than 5 days that hasn’t improved
Any trouble breathing, fast breathing, working hard to breathe, nostrils flaring, ribs showing with each breath
Low oxygen or blue-ish lips/fingertips
A rash of tiny red or purple dots (petechiae), this one is urgent, don’t wait
Seems unusually hard to wake up/drowsy or is just not themselves in a way that worries you
Can’t keep fluids down or is showing signs of dehydration (no tears, dry mouth, no wet nappies)
Fast heart rate that seems out of proportion to their temperature
For babies under 1 month, any fever at all = go now!! No waiting. Same-day assessment, every time.
For babies 2 months–2 years with a fever and no obvious cause (no runny nose, no clear viral symptoms), I’d want to rule out a urinary tract infection, especially in girls. They can’t tell you it stings when they pee, so we sometimes have to look for it.
A common question I also get asked is “But if the temperature is too high will my child have a seizure?”
Febrile seizures are common and generally harmless. They affect roughly 2–5 in every 100 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years.
For most children, the long-term outlook is excellent, it doesn't affect how long a child lives, how they do at school, their intelligence, or their behaviour.
Why do they happen? It's a mix of factors:
Young children's brains are still developing and are more sensitive to high temperatures
Some children are genetically more prone to them, it can run in families
The infection causing the fever triggers inflammation that can lower the brain's 'tipping point' for a seizure
Should you be worried? They are terrifying to watch, but simple febrile seizures are not dangerous.
Children do not need ongoing seizure medication for them, and giving paracetamol or ibuprofen, while helpful for comfort, doesn't actually prevent them from happening.
The main focus is treating whatever is causing the fever, managing symptoms, and being reassured that your child will be okay.
Bottom line: Trust your gut. You know your child. If something feels off, even if you can’t put your finger on it, that’s a valid reason to call or come in. We would always rather see a child who turns out to be fine than miss one who isn’t.