Fever and Illness
Get help quickly
Contact your GP or the out-of-hours GP service. A high fever above 40°C without warning signs needs medical assessment, but is rarely immediately life-threatening. Try to bring the fever down with paracetamol and cool cloths.
Do this
• Contact your GP or the out-of-hours GP service
• Give paracetamol or ibuprofen at the correct dose
• Put cool, damp cloths on the forehead and wrists
• Make sure enough fluid is taken in
• Check temperature and consciousness every 30 minutes
Warning signs
• Confusion develops after all
• The fever keeps rising despite medication
• Difficulty breathing
• A rash or spots appear