When to Take Your Child to the Emergency Room for a Fever

Understanding Child Fever: What’s Normal and What’s Not

Fever in children is one of the most common concerns for parents, often leading to sleepless nights, anxiety, and sometimes panic-driven visits to the hospital. But not every fever is an emergency—and knowing when to act is just as important as knowing when to stay calm. At Shishuka Children’s Hospital, we frequently treat children brought in for high or persistent fevers. As one of the best pediatric hospitals in Bangalore, our goal is to empower parents with knowledge—so you can recognize when a fever signals a routine infection and when it could mean something more serious.

What Is Considered a Fever in Children?

A fever is the body’s natural response to infection. Technically, a child is considered to have a fever when their temperature is above 100.4°F (38°C). Most fevers are caused by viral infections and go away on their own within 3 to 5 days.

However, the temperature alone doesn’t always tell the full story. What matters more is:

For example, a 2-month-old baby with a 100.5°F fever is far more concerning than a 3-year-old with 102°F who is running around and playing.

Red Flag Signs: When to Head to the Emergency Room

Knowing when to seek immediate help can prevent complications and even save a child’s life. Here are situations where visiting a children hospital or emergency room is strongly advised:

Infants under 3 months with any fever (even mild): this age group is at high risk of serious infections and must be evaluated urgently
High fever above 104°F (40°C) that doesn’t reduce with medication.
Persistent fever for more than 3 days, especially if not responding to medicine.
Fast breathing, chest retractions, or wheezing, especially if your child has asthma or allergies.
Signs of dehydration: dry lips, no tears while crying, very little urine output.
Lethargy, confusion, or inability to wake the child properly.

What About Recurrent Fevers?

If your child seems to fall sick every few weeks and keeps getting fevers, it may be due to:

In such cases, visiting a developmental pediatrician near me or consulting the best pediatrician in Bangalore can help identify patterns and manage the root cause.

Why Parents Choose Shishuka for Fever Emergencies

We’re more than just a hospital—we’re a trusted partner for thousands of families. With pediatricians across Kalyan Nagar, RT Nagar, and Malleshwaram, Shishuka is a top choice for:

We’re equipped to assess, monitor, and treat children with high fever, infections, respiratory distress, or dehydration on the spot

What Happens After You Arrive?

When you bring your child to Shishuka with a fever:

Our pediatrician will do a full clinical assessment.
If needed, we may do blood tests, urine tests, or chest X-rays.
Oxygen or nebulization may be started immediately if breathing is affected.
We’ll monitor your child closely and guide you on whether hospital admission is needed or if home care is safe.