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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.

Deze informatie is uitsluitend bedoeld als algemene richtlijn en vormt geen medisch advies. Raadpleeg altijd een gekwalificeerde zorgprofessional voor persoonlijke medische vragen. Bel in geval van nood uw lokale alarmnummer.

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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