A fever means your baby’s body is fighting an infection. Many fevers pass on their own, but in Tanzania every fever in a child should be checked at a clinic the same day, because malaria can be tested for quickly and treated early.

How to tell

Your baby may feel hot on the chest or back, be more sleepy or fussy than usual, or feed less. A thermometer gives the clearest answer: a temperature of 38°C or higher is a fever.

If your baby is under three months old and has a fever, take them to a clinic straight away.

Go to a hospital straight away if your baby

  • cannot breastfeed or drink, or vomits everything
  • has a fit (convulsion)
  • is very sleepy, floppy, or hard to wake
  • is breathing fast, or you can see the skin pull in below the ribs with each breath
  • has a stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
  • has fewer wet nappies than usual, a dry mouth, or a sunken soft spot on the head

These are signs to be seen today, even at night. Go to the nearest hospital — it does not need to be your usual clinic.

At the clinic

The health worker will check your baby, and usually do a quick finger-prick test for malaria. Tell them:

  • when the fever started, and how high it has been
  • whether your baby is feeding and passing urine
  • any medicine you have already given

Bring your baby’s clinic card.

Caring for your baby at home

After your baby has been checked, and while they recover:

  • keep breastfeeding — offer feeds more often, as fever makes babies thirsty
  • dress your baby in light clothes, and keep the room comfortable
  • give fever medicine such as paracetamol only as your health worker advises, with the dose for your baby’s weight
  • make sure your baby sleeps under a treated mosquito net

Please avoid cold water baths or rubbing the skin with alcohol, and never give aspirin to a child.

Afterwards

Go back to the clinic if the fever lasts more than two days, comes back after going away, or your baby seems to be getting worse. Finish any medicine you have been given, even when your baby seems better.