Name: Fever in children
Creator: Dr Karen Martin
Published: 2023-03-01T11:35:10.851Z

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Children's Advil Ibuprofen Oral Suspension for Ages 2-11 years. Grape Flavor. (4 fl oz)

Motrin Infants' Ibuprofen Oral Suspension, Concentrated Drops, For Ages 6 -23 months. Dye-Free, Berry Flavored Drops (1 oz) 

Motrin Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension For Ages 2 to 11 Years, Original Berry Flavor (4 fl oz)

Motrin Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension Liquid for Ages 2 to 11 Years. Original Berry Flavor (Dye-free).  (4 fl oz)

Diarrhea is common in children and babies and normally resolves on its own. In its mildest form it can be caused by eating something new or by teething in younger babies. It’s common for children to pick up viral infections from food or each other at nursery and school – these are usually short-lived, and they recover within a few days.

In acute diarrhea, the main risk is [dehydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/hydration-dehydration-and-heatstroke!c3d69d65-326d-4df1-b294-9ac4ef20eacf). **If it lasts longer than two weeks**, it’s called chronic diarrhea and is worth discussing with your doctor, even if they appear well – [toddler's diarrhea](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/toddler's-diarrhea!04bab1c8-7563-4285-b13c-0709b399dd89) is one cause of chronic diarrhea.

We will talk you through the different causes, when to worry, and when to seek medical help.

Ear infections are prevalent in children and most likely come with a viral cold. Your child might feel unwell with a fever, sickness, and loss of appetite. Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which we call otitis media. The pain comes as a result of infection and inflammation build-up behind the eardrum. They may complain that hearing comes and goes, or they may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, which might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear affected. 

Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected. 

A febrile seizure (sometimes called a febrile convulsion or febrile fit) happens when some babies and toddlers have a high temperature (a fever). It can be alarming and scary to see, but it's usually harmless and most children make a complete recovery. It’s best to get your child checked out the first time this happens, so take them to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance if your child is having a seizure.

Children aged between 6 months and 3 years are most commonly affected and around 5% of children have a febrile [seizure](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/symptom/seizures-and-fits!28ea1881-55c8-4fbd-91d0-0aead3aa8469) before the age of 6 months. It doesn’t affect every child, but once they’ve had one febrile convulsion, they have a higher chance of having a seizure with the next feverish illness – the chance is about 1 in 3. They are rare under the age of 3 months and after the age of 6 years.

Children get ill from time to time – they pick up [diarrhea and vomiting](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/diarrhea-and-vomiting-how-to-get-through-it!f2b83a4e-22a7-44d6-a528-2bebb2f807b7) bugs at nursery, and the coughs, colds, and sore throats roll in at the start of every autumn term. Sharing their germs with each other is essential to strengthening their immune systems, and this doesn’t usually need medication or a doctor’s opinion.

Which may leave you wondering, at what point should you worry? You’ve heard that [dehydration](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/hydration-dehydration-and-heatstroke!c3d69d65-326d-4df1-b294-9ac4ef20eacf) is to be avoided, but how can you tell if they’re dehydrated? You know fevers are common, but when should this concern you? Doctors here at Healthwords will take you through what they look for in a sick children and when there’s cause for concern.

COVID infection - managing symptoms in children

Classic symptoms of COVID-19 consist of a continuous cough, fever, and loss of sense of smell or taste. However, the symptoms in children have quickly changed to include sore throat, diarrhea, headache, tiredness, muscle and joint aches, conjunctivitis, nausea or vomiting, and runny nose.

It's much rarer for serious illness from COVID to afflict those under 18, but not impossible. If they experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, this is a reason to seek urgent medical attention, as you would in other illnesses.

Post-COVID syndrome, or long COVID as most people know it, can occur in children. Specific symptoms, such as cough, difficulty breathing or exercising, concentration difficulty, or immense fatigue, can persist for three months after the initial infection.

High temperature, fever, chills, or any other name you give it, is a sure sign that your body's immune system is at work trying to fight something off. The common causes of a high temperature are viruses or bacteria causing infection, but there are many other causes. You will normally feel unwell with a fever and may be swinging from feeling cold and shivery and getting under the covers to burning up and feeling hot and sweaty. You may have a hot head, chest, or back when you put a hand to it. 

A sore throat is a pain, scratchiness, or irritation of the throat that often worsens when your child swallows. It may come out of the blue if they’re fighting a viral or bacterial infection, and they may also experience cold symptoms like a runny or [blocked nose](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/symptom/blocked-nose-and-nasal-congestion!c96f529f-ef3e-41f4-a43f-c56f418311fe), sneezing, a fever, coughing, and headache. You might be able to feel that the glands in their neck are enlarged, and they may be quite tender to the touch.

If you look in the back of their throat, you might see one or both tonsils are enlarged and red, causing the gap between them to reduce, and you may notice some white spots on the tonsils.

What symptoms are worrisome in a sick child?

Being a parent is tough and no tougher than when your child is unwell. While you get used to mild illness happening on a frequent basis – stuffy nose, mild fleeting fever, there may be certain symptoms that cause you to question whether you’re doing the right thing in staying home or whether you should take them to see a doctor.

All children get sick from time to time, and they may need time off school to recover. For certain illnesses, your child’s school may require them to take a set time period off. This is particularly true if they have something contagious, such as chickenpox, in order to protect other children, as well as letting them rest up and get better.

Schools can be strict on absences to avoid disrupting your child’s education. We’ve set out some guidance for instances that are acceptable and appropriate to keep your child away from the classroom, although do bear in mind that every school will lay out their own policy. It’s always important to be aware of the policies at your child's school.

As a general rule of thumb, if your child is unwell or feverish for whatever reason, they should stay at home to recover.

Norovirus is also known as the vomiting bug. It is a viral gut infection that causes [vomiting and diarrhea](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/symptom/diarrhea-and-vomiting-how-to-get-through-it!f2b83a4e-22a7-44d6-a528-2bebb2f807b7). It can be highly contagious and spread through contaminated food and water or through someone else who is infected.

[Abdominal pain](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/symptom/abdominal-pain!3ae4c33f-93ee-49bc-9c44-9661c9026be7) and cramps are common symptoms. Some children get general [flu](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/influenza!1618d82c-84f2-4189-a767-55012af31f0c)\-like symptoms alongside, such as:

- headache 
- muscle aches 
- mild fever and chills

Symptoms can start 1 or 2 days after exposure to the virus and can last for up to 3 days, but they can sometimes last longer, especially in children.

Dr Karen Martin

Pharmacist and Head of US Content

Dr Kandi talks through the sensible top tips for what to do, or not to do if your child has a fever. She discusses medications when to use them, and other self-treatment tips!

Fever in children

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Related topics

Diarrhea in children

Ear infection in children

Febrile seizures

When should I worry about my sick child?

COVID infection - managing symptoms in children

Fever in adults

Sore throat in children

What symptoms are worrisome in a sick child?

School absence and a doctor's note

Norovirus - the vomiting bug