What should you know about fever in a 2-month-old?

Call your paediatrician, urgent care service, or emergency department and say clearly that the baby is two months old and has a measured fever. Do not wait to see whether it settles overnight.

Young infants may show few outward signs when an infection is developing. Fever can accompany a viral illness such as a common cold, COVID-19, or bronchiolitis, and it can also occur with bacterial infections that need prompt treatment. The temperature by itself cannot identify the cause.

A clinician will consider how the temperature was measured, the baby's breathing, circulation, alertness, feeding, urine output, skin, and examination findings. Testing is chosen from the full assessment rather than from the fever alone.

Note the temperature, the method and device used, and the time it was taken. Keep the baby comfortably dressed, offer usual breast or bottle feeds, and watch breathing and alertness while arranging care. Bring the baby's medicines and health information if you are directed to attend.

Do not use a cold bath, alcohol rub, or heavy wrapping. Do not delay assessment to see whether fever medicine works, and do not give any medicine unless a clinician has confirmed that it is suitable and provided a dose based on the baby's current weight.

Get emergency help if the baby is difficult to wake, has blue or grey lips, pauses in breathing, a seizure, a rash that does not fade when pressed, or severe breathing effort. Grunting, ribs pulling in, marked limpness, or being unable to feed also demand immediate help.

Urgent assessment is still needed when none of these signs is present. The baby's age and measured fever are enough reason to seek care without delay.

Report when the fever began, the highest reading, how it was measured, feeds taken, wet nappies, vomiting, rash, cough, breathing changes, and sick contacts. Ask where the baby should be assessed, whether feeding can continue on the way, and what changes should trigger emergency transport.