Fevers are incredibly common. You get the flu, and along with it comes a fever. Your child wakes up with a sore throat, and soon their temperature jumps by a degree or two.
Many fevers begin to improve within a few days. But fevers can also bring a range of other uncomfortable symptoms, such as chills, body aches, fatigue, and difficulty eating or drinking. And knowing when and where to get care will help you or your child feel better faster. But should you go to urgent care for fever symptoms, head to the emergency room or something else?
The right choice can often depend on a person’s age and the severity of the symptoms being experienced. Read on to learn when a fever and other symptoms are worth a visit to urgent care, when a different care option may be better, and when you can treat it at home.
When to choose urgent care for a fever in babies under 6 months old vs. the emergency room
Fevers in babies deserve special attention. Because babies can't tell you how they're feeling, a fever may be one of the first signs that they're sick. While many illnesses are minor, young babies can become seriously ill more quickly than older children and adults, so it's important to know when to get medical care.
Skip urgent care and head to the emergency room anytime your newborn has a fever
For babies younger than 2 months old, go to the emergency room right away for temperatures of 100.4°F or higher (baby’s temperature should be taken rectally).
Call your doctor or nurse line if your baby is 2 to 6 months old and has a fever
If your baby is 2-6 months old, call your baby’s doctor for guidance if their rectal temperature is 100.4°F or higher, especially if you’re concerned about their other symptoms. They can help you decide if you should continue to monitor at home, look for the next available primary care appointment, or head to urgent care or the emergency room.
Seek medical care right away if your baby’s fever symptoms worsen
It’s time to see a doctor if your young baby’s fever continues to rise, lasts longer than three or four days, reaches 104°F or is accompanied by worsening symptoms such as poor feeding, lethargy or unusual behavior.
If your child is younger than 2 months old, head to the emergency room. If your child is 2-6 months old, go to urgent care if a same-day primary care appointment isn’t available.
When to choose urgent care for a fever for anyone 6 months old and up
Urgent care can be a great option for treating fevers in older babies, kids and adults, but not always necessary.
When deciding how and when to seek care, it's important to look at the whole picture. Besides the numbers on the thermometer, you should also consider how you or your child are feeling, how long symptoms have lasted and whether you’re getting better.
Start with home remedies for fevers if you or your older child has mild or moderate symptoms
Most fevers can be treated at home. Getting extra rest, drinking plenty of fluids and wearing lightweight clothing can help you or your child stay comfortable while the body fights off an infection.
If the fever is causing discomfort, fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) may help. Just make sure to follow the package instructions for the appropriate dosage.
Seek care if your or your older child’s fever continues to rise or symptoms begin to worsen
It's common for a fever to come with symptoms like chills, sweating, fatigue, headaches and body aches. While these symptoms can make you feel miserable, they're often a normal part of the body's response to illness and typically improve within a few days.
But if you or your child has a fever and symptoms aren’t improving over three or four days, or are making you or your child especially uncomfortable, it may be time to see a doctor.
Choose urgent care if you need care now or primary care isn’t available
Head to urgent care if you or your child has a moderate fever along with:
- Mild-to-moderate breathing difficulties that aren't severe or worsening
- A new or unexplained rash
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Pain or burning during urination
- Headaches or body aches that aren't getting better
Choose primary care if care can wait for the next available appointment
At HealthPartners, we often have same-day and next-day primary care appointments available.
Get care right away for temperatures above 104°F or if certain symptoms accompany any fever
A fever at or above 104°F is considered a high fever and deserves prompt medical attention, especially if it isn't improving with home treatment, keeps returning or stays that high more than three or four days.
Head to urgent care if a high fever is accompanied by any of the mild or moderate symptoms mentioned earlier, such as headache, body aches and mild breathing difficulties.
Seek care at the emergency room for more serious symptoms – no matter your age
Seek emergency care immediately if you or your child’s fever is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Severe trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- A seizure
- Loss of consciousness or difficulty waking up
- Confusion, disorientation or unusual behavior
- A stiff neck with fever or a severe headache
- Severe or worsening pain
- Persistent vomiting and an inability to keep fluids down
- Signs of severe dehydration, such as very little urination, severe dizziness, or a very dry mouth and lips
Get the help you need for a fever
A fever is usually a sign that your body is doing its job, and it will go away as you recover from the illness or infection that’s causing it. But it’s also important to get help with a fever when you or your child need it.