How to track a child's fever: a practical guide for parents

When a fever starts, the first instinct is to measure it. But a single reading tells you almost nothing — you need to follow the trend over time. Here's how to do it well without becoming obsessive.

How often to measure

Generally every 4–6 hours is enough, plus every time you give a fever medicine (before, and around 1–2 hours after). Readings taken too close together don't add useful information and just stress everyone out.

What to log alongside the temperature

• Exact time of the reading
• Where you measured (under the arm, ear, forehead)
• Associated symptoms: chills, sweating, headache, cough
• Medicine given: name, dose and time
• How much your child is drinking and eating

Why a chart matters

Seeing the fever curve over the last 24–48 hours tells you whether the fever is going down, whether it always comes back at the same time, or whether the peaks are getting lower (a sign the illness is passing). It's also the single most useful thing to show the GP — one screenshot of the chart says more than a long description.