Gautam Rao Gautam Rao Asked 8 months ago

When to take 5 year old to er for fever?

My five-year-old son has been having a fever for two days now, and he's not very active. His school teacher also called me about him seeming unwell. When should I consider taking him to the emergency room?

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10 answers

Sangeeta Sharma Sangeeta Sharma Joined May 2026 6 months ago
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If the fever is very high and they look really sick, then going to the ER is important. Hope your child feels better soon.

Deepa Singhania Deepa Singhania Joined Jan 2026 8 months ago

With my 5-year-old, I've learned that you watch for severe signs. If the fever is consistently over 104F, or if they complain of a stiff neck, severe headache, have a rash that doesn't fade, or seem very confused/drowsy, that's when you head to the ER. Always keep them hydrated.

Rajesh Kumar Rajesh Kumar Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

ER visits can be expensive, but when a 5-year-old is seriously ill, it's non-negotiable. If the fever is 104F or higher and not coming down, or if they're having trouble breathing, seizures, or are very unresponsive, don't worry about costs, just go. Health comes first, plan for emergencies.

Lakshmi Iyer Lakshmi Iyer Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

For a 5-year-old, if the fever is extremely high (above 104F) and they are very lethargic, not drinking, or having difficulty breathing, then taking them to the ER is wise. While our elders suggest home care, for these severe symptoms, modern medicine is necessary. Trust your doctor.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Aparna Reddy Aparna Reddy Joined Jan 2026 8 months ago

At a reputed hospital, they will tell you that for a 5-year-old, an ER visit is necessary if the fever is persistently very high (over 104F), or if there are signs like a stiff neck, confusion, seizures, severe difficulty breathing, a rash that doesn't fade when pressed, or extreme drowsiness. These are red flags. Always ask your pediatrician for their specific ER guidelines.

Rashmi Goel Rashmi Goel Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

For a 5-year-old, you should definitely go to the ER if the fever is extremely high (104°F/40°C or more) AND they have trouble breathing, a seizure, a rash that doesn't go away when you press it, severe headache, stiff neck, or seem unusually sleepy or unresponsive. These are serious symptoms that need immediate attention.

Girish Prabhu Girish Prabhu Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

I once thought my 5-year-old's very high fever was just a viral, and delayed going to the hospital. Turned out to be something more serious. Never again. If the fever is 104F or higher and they're looking really unwell, unresponsive, having trouble breathing, or a weird rash, go to the ER immediately. Don't make my mistake.

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Aryan Gupta Aryan Gupta Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Staying fit helps kids recover faster, but for an ER situation, it's about life-threatening symptoms. For a 5-year-old, if the fever is super high and they are extremely weak, struggling to breathe, or have any kind of fit, you don't delay. Rush to the ER. Diet and exercise are for prevention, but emergencies need medics.

Rajesh Singh Rajesh Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

With my 5-year-old, we've had a few fever scares. For an ER visit, our rule is if the fever is over 104F and not dropping with medicine, or if he's very lethargic, not drinking, or having trouble breathing. You know your child best, so if something feels really off, don't hesitate to go.

Meena Kumari Meena Kumari Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Any time a 5-year-old has a very high fever that doesn't respond to medicine, or if they develop symptoms like breathing difficulty, seizures, or seem unusually weak or unresponsive, it's safest to go to the ER. Always, always prioritize their safety and get it checked by professionals.

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