Paediatrics, by video or in person
Fever in Children: When to Worry
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Fever in Children: When to Worry
- A temperature of 38°C or more on a thermometer
- A hot body, sometimes with cold hands and feet
- Shivering, sweating or flushed cheeks
- Being more sleepy, irritable or clingy than usual
- Eating and drinking less than usual
Published Mezo prices. Each links to what the price covers.
A fever is a temperature of 38°C or more. It is the body's normal response to an infection, and in most children it comes from a virus that passes in a few days. In Nigeria a child with fever should always be tested for malaria, but many fevers are something else: a cold, an ear or throat infection, a urine infection, pneumonia or typhoid. How your child looks and behaves tells a doctor more than the number on the thermometer, except in young babies, where any fever matters.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- A temperature of 38°C or more on a thermometer
- A hot body, sometimes with cold hands and feet
- Shivering, sweating or flushed cheeks
- Being more sleepy, irritable or clingy than usual
- Eating and drinking less than usual
- Signs that point to the cause, such as cough, catarrh, ear pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or a rash
When to See a Doctor
Go to the nearest hospital emergency department now, or call 112, if your child has a fit; is very drowsy, floppy or hard to wake; has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry; is breathing fast, grunting, or the chest is sucking in; looks pale, blue, grey or mottled; has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass on it; has a stiff neck; or cannot drink or breastfeed, or vomits everything. A baby under three months with a temperature of 38°C or more must be seen by a doctor in person today, and a baby of three to six months with 39°C or more needs an examination urgently. An older child who is alert and drinking should have a malaria test within a day. See a doctor again if the fever lasts five days or more, if your child is getting worse, or if you are more worried than before.
Treatment options
- A malaria test, rapid test or blood film, before any antimalarial
- An examination for the cause: ears, throat, chest, tummy, urine and skin
- Treatment of the cause, such as an antimalarial for a positive test or an antibiotic for a bacterial infection
- Fluids, light clothing and rest, with fever medicine only to comfort a distressed child, at the dose on the pack or from your doctor
- Hospital care for a child with any danger sign
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Should I sponge my child with cold water?
No. Tepid or cold sponging is not recommended and can make a child shiver and more distressed. Dress your child in light clothing, neither wrapped up nor stripped, and offer plenty to drink.
Can I give an antimalarial before the test?
No. Test first. A malaria test takes minutes at most clinics and laboratories. Treating a fever that is not malaria delays the real diagnosis, and if the test is positive the doctor chooses the right medicine for your child's age and weight.
Does fever medicine prevent a fit?
No. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can make a child more comfortable, but they do not prevent febrile seizures. Give them for distress, not only to bring the number down.
Can a doctor assess my child's fever by video?
A doctor can take a careful history, look at your child on camera, check for danger signs and decide how soon your child needs to be examined and tested. A call cannot replace an examination for a baby under three months or a child with any danger sign: those children need a hospital.
Need Help?
A children's doctor on a video call, who tells you whether your child needs to be examined in person.
See a paediatrician by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
Find a verified paediatrics specialist near you.
Paediatrics in Lagos →Paediatrics in Abuja →Paediatrics in Port Harcourt →Paediatrics in Jos →Paediatrics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management (NG143). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- High temperature (fever) in children. NHS. Patient information.
- Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) set of distance learning modules. World Health Organization, 2014. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 24 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.