My baby has a fever: should I call 811?

The short answer

If your baby has a fever and you’re unsure what to do next, call Info-Santé 811, option 1 in Quebec. A nurse can assess the situation and guide you. If your baby is under 3 months, don’t wait to seek an assessment: official sources recommend prompt or immediate medical advice in this situation. If your baby seems to be in distress or the situation is serious and urgent, call 911 or go to the emergency department. (Mieux vivre avec notre enfant)

Official guidance does not always use the same thresholds or describe the same next steps. Quebec’s Mieux vivre with our child guide recommends prompt medical advice for a baby under 3 months. Health Canada’s guide says to contact a health professional immediately or visit the emergency department if a baby this age has a fever. The Quebec.ca page about fever in children also gives emergency instructions for babies under 3 months. If you’re unsure, call 811; for an emergency, call 911.

How can I recognize and measure a fever?

Your baby may feel warm, seem sleepier than usual or drink less. Touch alone can’t confirm a temperature. If your baby seems unwell, take their temperature and write down the result and the time. Also pay attention to their behaviour and breathing. The Canadian Paediatric Society notes that a child’s overall condition is an important part of assessing a fever. (Caring for Kids)

Published thresholds do not fully agree. Mieux vivre and Health Canada describe a rectal temperature of 38.0°C or higher as a fever. Quebec.ca instead gives 38.5°C or higher rectally in its general fever section, while its emergency section mentions 38.0°C or higher for certain situations involving babies under 3 months. These are differences in official guidance, and we can’t resolve them here. If your baby is young, share the measurement with a nurse or health professional. (Mieux vivre avec notre enfant)

How you take the temperature matters, too. Mieux vivre says a rectal reading is the most reliable method for children 2 years and younger; an underarm reading is less precise. Health Canada advises against using forehead, ear or pacifier thermometers to detect fever in a newborn. If you’re unsure about the method or the result, tell the 811 nurse instead of trying to convert the temperature yourself. (Mieux vivre avec notre enfant)

When should I call 811, and when should I seek care right away?

You can call 811, option 1, if you don’t know whether your baby needs to be seen, their fever worries you or you want to know what to watch for. The service is free and confidential. A nurse will assess the situation and can offer advice or direct you to a resource. Quebec.ca says a priority line is available for parents of children aged 0 to 17. (Info-Santé 811)

Call 811 if your baby is drinking or urinating less than usual, if the fever comes with other symptoms, or if you’re concerned about their condition. Quebec.ca also recommends calling for some babies aged 3 to 6 months, depending on the situation, and when a child under 2 has a persistent fever or other signs. Mieux vivre advises parents of babies aged 3 to 5 months to contact Info-Santé or a doctor. The exact guidance depends on age, how long the fever has lasted, symptoms and how the temperature was taken. Explain these details to the nurse. (Quebec.ca: Fever in children)

For a baby under 3 months, the sources consulted recommend prompt assessment for a fever; some say to contact a health professional immediately or go to the emergency department. Don’t wait for the temperature to rise further before asking for advice. If your baby is having difficulty breathing, is hard to wake, responds very little, becomes pale or discoloured, or has a seizure, have them assessed promptly. For a serious or urgent situation, call 911. (Mieux vivre avec notre enfant)

What should I have ready before I call?

You don’t need to have every answer before you phone. If you can, have these details nearby:

• Your baby’s age and, if you know it, their date of birth.
• Their temperature, when you took it and which method you used.
• How long your baby has seemed unwell and any other symptoms you’ve noticed.
• Whether they’re drinking as usual and wetting their diapers.
• Any medication already given, if applicable, and when it was given.
• Information about a recent vaccine or a known health condition.

The nurse will ask questions to understand what’s going on and tell you which resource is appropriate. While you’re waiting for advice, keep your baby comfortably dressed and offer feeds as usual, according to their age and routine. Don’t give medication based on advice you found online. For questions about medication or a product, ask a pharmacist or health professional. This article can’t replace an assessment tailored to your baby. (Info-Santé 811)

In brief: trust your concern

Calling 811 doesn’t mean you have to go to the emergency department. The service is there to help you get guidance that fits your situation. Extra caution is important when a baby is under 3 months. Official sources differ on some thresholds and details; if you’re unsure which advice applies, tell the nurse and follow their guidance. If the situation is serious or urgent, don’t wait: call 911. (Info-Santé 811)

Frequently asked questions

This article is for information; it does not replace advice from a health professional. In Québec, call Info-Santé 811 when in doubt (elsewhere in Canada, your provincial health line). In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

1. Fever in children, Gouvernement du Québec
2. Info-Santé 811, Gouvernement du Québec
3. Your Guide to Postpartum Health and Caring for Your Baby, Agence de la santé publique du Canada
4. Fever and temperature taking, Société canadienne de pédiatrie — Soins de nos enfants