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Fever

Is it safe to let my child sleep with a fever?

Yes, sleep helps recovery and you do not need to wake a child just to check or treat a fever. Do check on them, and keep the room comfortable rather than hot.

Esta información es solo orientativa de carácter general y no constituye un consejo médico. Consulta siempre a un profesional sanitario cualificado para cualquier asunto médico personal. En caso de emergencia, llama al número de emergencias de tu zona.

Rest is one of the best things for a child fighting an infection, and there is no need to wake a sleeping child simply to take a temperature or give fever medicine. Fever medicine is for comfort, so if your child is sleeping peacefully, it is usually fine to let them rest.

Keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature, dress your child in light clothing or a single layer, and avoid piling on heavy blankets, which can cause overheating. There is no need to cool the room aggressively or use cold sponging, which can make a child shiver and feel worse.

Do check on your child periodically. Wake and seek help if you notice difficulty breathing, a non-fading rash, unusual floppiness, or if they become very hard to rouse. For babies under 3 months with a fever, or any child who seems significantly unwell, contact a doctor rather than waiting until morning.

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