Fever Danger Signs
There are two important warning signs that you should look for when your child has a fever. If she has either of these symptoms, get her to the doctor right away.

Neck and back stiffness
Check to see if your child can bend her head so that her chin touches her chest or if she can bend over and touch her toes. If she cannot, she may have a stiff neck or back.

If you're not sure if your child has a stiff neck, click on the link below called "How to test for a stiff neck."

If your child has a stiff back and neck, this could be a serious danger sign of meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. The stiff neck and fever may also be accompanied by a severe headache.

Meningitis is a medical emergency, and the child with fever, headache and a stiff neck should get medical attention immediately.

Skin bleedings
When you are looking for rashes, make sure to undress the child completely and examine her whole body. Check to see if your child has a skin rash with little purplish or tiny bright red spots. This may be skin bleedings.

Typical signs of skin bleedings are purplish patches (purpura) or tiny bright red spots (petechiae) that do not fade (blanch) when you press on them. Skin bleedings may be a sign of serious diseases like meningitis and sepsis, which is an infection in the bloodstream.

Sepsis and meningitis are medical emergencies, and require immediate medical treatment in an emergency facility.

NOTE: Meningitis and sepsis are diseases that require prompt medical supervision and acute hospitalization.

Be especially aware of these danger signs if there have been any recent outbreaks of meningitis where you live.

When to Seek Medical Advice
See the doctor immediately or call 911 if your child has:

• A fever and is younger than 3 months old.
• A fever of 105ºF (40.6ºC) or higher.
• A fever and obvious breathing difficulties.
• A fever and is having trouble swallowing to the point where she is drooling because she is unable to swallow her own saliva.
• A fever and is lethargic or listless even after taking anti-fever medicines.
• A fever accompanied with a headache, stiff neck, or purplish patches or tiny red spots on the skin.
• A fever and severe pain.
• A fever and is having a seizure.
• A fever and has reduced immune defenses (i.e. if the child is on chemotherapy for cancer).

Make an appointment with your doctor if your child has:

• A fever and is between the ages of 3 and 6 months.
• A fever measuring between 104ºF (40.0ºC) and 105ºF (40.6ºC).
• A fever and a lack of fluid intake.
• A fever and pain when urinating.
• A fever lasting more than 24 hours and your child is younger than 12 months in age.
• A fever for more than 48 hours and your child is between the ages of 12 months and 3 years.
• A fever and sore throat for more than 24 to 48 hours.
• A fever for more than 2 to 3 days and your child is older than age 3.
• A fever and has recently returned from a trip abroad.

Click here to read our health disclaimers. 

Related Features:
Children’s Fever Guide: A Parent’s Resource
Cold & Flu Guide
Quiz: Got a Cold or the Flu?
The No-Fear Meningitis Guide
Sick Days Solutions Guide
The Calming-the-Cough Guide
The Dealing-with-Diarrhea Guide
The Easing Earaches Guide
The How-to-Spot a Sick Kid Guide
The Soothing Stomachaches Guide
Vomiting: A Parent's Treatment Guide