Fever is the body's natural defence against infection. Most fevers in children are benign and self-limiting, but some patterns require urgent medical assessment.
Fever — a body temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) — is the most common medical complaint in children worldwide, and a frequent reason for paediatric visits in Korea. While fever can be alarming for parents, it is important to understand that fever itself is a beneficial immune response — it inhibits pathogen replication and activates immune defences. Most childhood fevers are caused by viral infections and resolve within 3–5 days without specific treatment.
In Korea, Seoul National University Children's Hospital and Severance Children's Hospital, along with numerous private paediatric clinics, provide excellent child healthcare. The pattern of fever matters more than the number on the thermometer. Febrile convulsions (fits triggered by rapid rise in temperature) occur in 2–5% of children between 6 months and 5 years — they are frightening but usually benign and brief, resolving without treatment. However, complex or prolonged seizures with fever require urgent assessment.
Fever management focuses on comfort: antipyretics (paracetamol or ibuprofen in appropriate doses), adequate hydration, and comfortable clothing. Avoid aspirin in children under 16 (risk of Reye's syndrome). Red flags requiring emergency assessment include any fever in a baby under 3 months, fever with a non-blanching rash (possible meningococcal meningitis), fever with neck stiffness, altered consciousness, or extreme lethargy, and fever not resolving after 5 days.
Key Points
- Fever >38°C — normal defensive response to infection
- Most childhood fevers are viral and self-limiting within 3–5 days
- Baby under 3 months with fever — seek emergency care immediately
- Non-blanching rash with fever — possible meningitis, call 119
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen for comfort — not to 'kill the fever'
- Major children's hospitals provide 24/7 paediatric emergency care
Causes & Risk Factors
- Viral upper respiratory infections (common cold, flu) — most common
- Ear infections (otitis media) — fever with ear pain in young children
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — can cause fever without obvious localising symptoms
- Tonsillitis and pharyngitis — fever with sore throat
- Roseola, chickenpox, and childhood viral exanthems
- Bacterial infections: meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis (less common, more serious)
When to See a Doctor
- Any fever in a baby under 3 months old — seek care immediately
- Fever with a non-blanching rash (glass test — if rash doesn't fade, call 119)
- Fever with severe headache, neck stiffness, or light sensitivity
- Child with fever who is difficult to wake or unusually limp
- Fever lasting more than 5 days without obvious cause
- Febrile convulsion (fit) — seek assessment after it stops
For emergencies in Korea, call 119
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This content is published for educational purposes only. For accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment, consult a licensed KMA physician in Korea.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is published by DoctorsInKorea.com for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace a professional clinical evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider. For accurate medical diagnosis and personalised treatment paths, please book an appointment with a licensed KMA physician. For immediate life-threatening medical emergencies in Korea, please call 119.
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Last reviewed: March 1, 2025