ER or urgent care?

Child’s fever: when to go to the ER

Q: When should I take my child to the ER for a fever?

Go for a fever in a baby under 3 months, a stiff neck, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of dehydration, a child who is hard to wake or confused, or a fever over 104°F.

Fevers are common in children, and many can be handled at home. But some need care right away, and any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby younger than 3 months needs a doctor now ¹.

Find urgent care near you Or find the nearest ER. Updated November 15, 2026; every fact links to its source below.

Photo of a parent with a thermometer beside a sleeping child

Go to the ER or call 911 if

Call 911 if your child can’t be woken, is too weak to stand or isn’t moving, or is struggling to breathe ²
Call 911 for purple or blood-colored spots or dots on the skin ², or blue lips, tongue or nails ³
A baby younger than 3 months (12 weeks) with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher ¹; don’t give fever medicine before the baby is seen ²
A stiff neck, a seizure with the fever, or a child who is hard to wake, not alert, or confused ²
Signs of dehydration: no urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth, no tears ²
Fever over 104°F (40°C), or your child looks or acts very sick ²

If you’re not sure, go to the ER. Find the nearest ER.

When urgent care can help

For a child who is alert, drinking, and has none of the signs above, start by calling your pediatrician; many have a nurse line after hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises calling if a fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in a child 2 or older ¹. If your child’s doctor can’t see them, an urgent care that treats children can. Call ahead to check they see kids your child’s age.

Find urgent care near you, with hours and phone numbers. Not sure what it costs? See ER vs urgent care cost.

How to take a child’s temperature

A rectal temperature gives the best reading, especially for babies under 3 months ⁴. From age 4 you can take it by mouth, and ear thermometers work from 6 months ⁴. A fever is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher measured rectally ³.

Common questions

Child’s fever: when to go to the ER, answered.

General information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.

When should I take my child to the ER for a fever?

Go for a fever in a baby under 3 months ¹, a stiff neck, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of dehydration, a child who is hard to wake or confused, or a fever over 104°F ².

What temperature is too high for a child?

Any fever of 100.4°F or higher under 3 months needs a doctor now ¹. At any age, over 104°F (40°C) needs care right away ².

How long is too long for a child’s fever?

Call your pediatrician if it lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in a child 2 or older ¹.

Related conditions

Fever

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Sources

Last updated November 15, 2026. General information from the sources above, not medical advice or a diagnosis, and not a substitute for being seen. If you’re not sure whether something is an emergency, go to the ER or call 911.

This is not for emergencies.

For life-threatening symptoms, severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.