What to do when a fever lasts 24 hours

A raised temperature is part of the body's response to illness and may occur with respiratory, digestive, skin, or other infections. The duration alone cannot identify the cause. How the person looks, breathes, drinks, urinates, and responds is more useful than focusing only on one thermometer reading.

A runny nose, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, urinary discomfort, or a warm painful patch of skin can help a clinician narrow the source. The common cold can include fever, while bronchiolitis often presents with fever alongside cough or breathing and feeding changes in young children. Fever itself does not reveal which condition is responsible.

Offer fluids regularly and watch for normal urination. Rest, light clothing, and a comfortably ventilated room may help. Use a reliable thermometer according to its instructions and record readings, medicines, and new symptoms. Avoid cold baths or heavy wrapping.

If discomfort needs treatment, ask a pharmacist or clinician which fever medicine and dose suit the person's age, weight, health conditions, and other medicines. Do not give aspirin to a child, and do not alternate products unless a clinician has explained a safe schedule.

Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, a seizure, unusual drowsiness, confusion, a stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade when pressed. Prompt assessment is also needed for dehydration signs such as very little urine, a very dry mouth, or inability to keep fluids down.

A baby younger than three months with a measured fever needs urgent medical advice. People who are pregnant, immunocompromised, receiving cancer treatment, or living with a serious long-term condition should seek advice early. Arrange a review if fever persists, returns, worsens, or is joined by a new localised symptom.

Give the highest measured temperature, the method used, when fever began, fluid intake, urination, recent travel, sick contacts, rashes, pain, breathing changes, and every medicine taken. Ask what signs would require reassessment and whether any examination or testing is appropriate for the symptom pattern.