Temperatures & Thermometers

Key points about temperatures and thermometers

• body temperature by itself does not tell you how sick your child is
• regardless of whether your child has a fever or not, if you think they are unwell and you are worried, see your doctor
• in babies, an unstable body temperature is very worrying - see your doctor if your baby has either a high or low temperature

Why take my child's temperature?

Find out what you're measuring when you take your child's temperature

Find out how to use thermometers

You might want to measure your child's body temperature if they feel hot. If they do not seem unwell, you do not need to take their temperature.

The most common reason for a child to have a raised temperature is because they are fighting off an infection.

If your child is very young (under 3 months old) and they have a fever, see your doctor.

Check the information about fever (high temperature) and what it means

Check the advice about how to tell if your child is very sick, and what to do if they are