How can I effectively communicate with parents about the management of fever in their child, including when to seek further medical advice?

Communicate with parents by providing clear verbal and written safety-netting advice on warning symptoms and signs that require urgent medical review, such as a non-blanching rash, seizures, or signs of dehydration ¹.

Advise parents to look for signs of dehydration, including poor urine output, dry mouth, sunken fontanelle, absence of tears, sunken eyes, and ill appearance, and to seek further help if these develop ¹.

Encourage parents to offer regular fluids and continue breastfeeding if applicable, and to dress the child appropriately for the environment, avoiding tepid sponging, which is not recommended ¹.

Inform parents to check their child regularly, including during the night, and to keep the child away from nursery or school until recovered, notifying the setting about the illness ¹.

Explicitly advise parents to seek further medical advice if the fever lasts longer than 5 days, if the child develops a non-blanching rash, has a seizure, or if they feel less well or more worried than before ¹.

Ensure parents understand when to seek emergency care, such as if the child shows signs of life-threatening illness or if there are red features indicating serious illness, and to call 999 immediately in such cases ².