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Fever at home: what to do and when to get help

Care for a high temperature at home, and know the signs that mean you should get help.

20 items · 4 sections · health, fever, home

Start this checklist

Check first (4)

  • Take your temperature with a digital thermometer38°C (100.4°F) or above is a high temperature.
  • Feeling hot, cold or shivery can mean a fever, even under 38°C
  • Write down the time and reading, and note other symptoms
  • Children and babies: use the children's adviceOpen

Care at home (5)

  • Rest
  • Drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clearWater is best.
  • Wear light clothes and keep the room comfortable
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are uncomfortableFollow the pack and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines or have a health condition.
  • Stay away from other people until the temperature is gone

Call the doctor or a nurse line (4)

  • Not getting better after treating it at home, or getting worse
  • Fever after travel abroad, particularly in a malaria or dengue area
  • Pregnant, over 65, a long-term condition or a weak immune system
  • Burning when you pee, or an ear, chest or skin infection getting worse

Get emergency help now (7)

  • Trouble breathing, or chest pain
  • Confused, very drowsy, slurred speech or hard to wake
  • Stiff neck with pain when looking at light
  • A rash that does not fade when you press a glass on itOpen
  • Blue, grey or blotchy skin or lipsCould be sepsis.Open
  • Seizure (fit)
  • Any of these: call 911 US, 999 UK, 112 or 108 India

Written from www.nhs.uk

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