British Red Cross: How to Help a Child With a Fever

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Child lying on a grey sofa in a living room with a yellow blanket over them and holding a teddy bear in their arms. Parent or guardian is sitting on a table beside the sofa looking over to the child. On the table there is a gold tray with a medicine bottle and a glass cup

British Red Cross: How to Help a Child With a Fever

As we head into the festive season, the combination of chilly weather and increased indoor activity can raise the likelihood of fevers among children in your care. A child with a fever may have a raised temperature, feel hot, have flushed skin and may be sweating. They may also feel cold, look drained of colour and have a headache.

How to help

Here’s how to help if a child in your setting has a fever:

1. Check their temperature by using a thermometer.
A moderate fever may not be harmful, but you should monitor them. A temperature above 39 degrees Celsius can be dangerous.

2. Keep them cool and comfortable. Remove any excess clothes and give them plenty of cool drinks such as water or diluted juice.
Do not sponge them or remove too many clothes, as there is a risk of overcooling them.

3. Give the recommended dose of paracetamol or paracetamol syrup if they seem unwell or distressed.

4. Keep an eye on them. If this is accompanied by other symptoms or you are worried, seek medical advice.

Paediatric first aid training

Looking after little ones comes with big responsibilities. Our two-day paediatric first aid course, fully EYFS compliant, is perfect for nursery staff, childminders, and anyone working with young children. Book online today!

Don't forget, if you're a Morton Michel policyholder, you can get a 10% discount on the British Red Cross's paediatric first aid courses via our exclusive ChildCare Club.

Please note, the information in this article is provided by the British Red Cross and does not represent the views or opinions of Morton Michel.