Key takeaways

  • People should contact a doctor if a toddler’s fever is 102ºF (38.8ºC) or higher. Emergency care is necessary if toddlers have additional symptoms, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, or blue or gray lips.
  • A typical body temperature in children should be between 97ºF (36ºC) and 100.4ºF (38ºC).
  • If a child’s temperature is raised but not high enough for medical attention, caregivers may be able to lower it by ensuring the child drinks plenty of water, putting a cool, damp cloth on the child’s forehead, wrists, and calves, and dressing them in loose clothing.

A fever usually means a child’s body is fighting off an infection. However, parents and caregivers should watch for other symptoms that indicate the need to contact a doctor, including any difficulty breathing or excessive crying.

Read on to learn when a toddler with a fever needs urgent medical attention, as well as treatments and potential causes.

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The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends contacting a doctor if a toddler experiences a fever of 104ºF (40ºC) or more.

A parent or caregiver should also contact a doctor if the toddler has:

Caregivers should seek urgent care if the toddler experiences:

Febrile seizures

A febrile seizure is a seizure that can occur when a toddler has a fever. Research suggests febrile seizures occur in 2⁠% to 5% of American and European children. Although it may seem alarming, it is not dangerous and typically lasts a few minutes.

However, people should seek emergency care if a toddler has a febrile seizure for the first time when they have a fever.

Symptoms of a febrile seizure include:

  • loss of consciousness
  • uncontrollable shaking of legs and arms
  • eye rolling
  • stiff limbs
  • twitching in one area of the body

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a child’s expected body temperature should be between 97ºF (36ºC) and 100.4ºF (38ºC).

Children and babies can have higher temperatures than adults, as they have a larger surface area compared to their body weight. Toddlers also sweat less and have a faster metabolism, which can cause them to have a higher body temperature.

A fever alone is not necessarily harmful and does not typically exceed 105.8ºF (41ºC). While fevers higher than this temperature can be dangerous, they are rare.

In many cases, a toddler with a fever will get better within a few days.

Fever often occurs due to the body reacting to contracting a viral or bacterial infection. Bacteria and viruses can thrive at the body’s usual temperature. By increasing its internal temperature, the body can help kill the infection.

Children with a temperature lower than 101ºF (38ºC) do not typically require medical treatment. While certain drugs can help lower a child’s fever, they do not treat the underlying cause.

To help make the toddler feel more comfortable, a person can:

  • ensure the child drinks plenty of water
  • put cool, damp cloths on the foreheads, wrists, and calves
  • dress them in loose, light clothes
  • give them medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

When giving a toddler medication to treat their fever, a person can check with a healthcare professional to ensure they give the correct dose.

Some organizations, including the AAP and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), recommend against undressing or sponge bathing a child with a fever to cool them down. This can cause a child to shiver, which can raise their body temperature.

According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, parents and caregivers should be aware of the following when treating a toddler’s fever:

  • do not rub a toddler down with alcohol, as the skin may absorb it, leading to coma
  • avoid overdressing the toddler, as heavy layers may increase the fever
  • do not delay seeking medical attention for a toddler who appears very ill
  • do not give a toddler any medication not meant for a child

A person should also avoid giving aspirin to children, as this can increase the chance of developing Reye’s syndrome.

People can take a child’s temperature in a variety of ways, including:

  • Forehead temperature: Although this is appropriate for children of any age, using it in direct sunlight can affect temperature readings.
  • Mouth temperature: This is suitable for those above the age of 4 years. Place the tip of the thermometer under the child’s tongue and wait until they hear a beep. For an accurate reading, wait 30 minutes after the child has had anything hot or cold to drink.
  • Ear temperature: This is appropriate for those older than 6 months. When using an ear thermometer, aim the tip slightly diagonally toward the face.

There are many reasons why a toddler might have a fever. Possible causes include illness due to viruses or bacteria, such as:

Some toddlers may also develop a fever after a vaccination.

There are many reasons why a toddler might have a fever. This symptom is a byproduct of a child healing from an infection and does not necessarily need treatment. However, a caregiver can provide home care to help the infant feel more comfortable.

Seek medical help if a toddler has a fever of 104ºF (40ºC) or more.

Many conditions can lead to a toddler experiencing a fever. If a parent or caregiver has concerns about the toddler’s temperature, they should speak with a doctor.