High Fever in Babies and Children - Urgent Care Guatemala
Specialized evaluation of high fever in children
With Emergency Medicine training, I quickly assess the cause of fever, identify serious infections, and determine appropriate treatment. Fever in infants under 3 months always requires urgent evaluation!
⚠️ When fever is urgent
Any fever in infant under 3 months (>100.4°F/38°C) - EMERGENCY
Fever over 102°F/39°C that won’t come down with medication
Fever with skin rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
Fever with difficulty breathing or blue lips
Fever with seizures
Fever with extreme lethargy (won’t wake up well, very lethargic)
⚡ Urgent evaluation available at hospitals
Fever in children requires expert evaluation
Fever is one of the most common reasons for pediatric emergency visits. As a pediatric emergency physician trained at Hospital Infantil de México, I can quickly differentiate between a benign viral infection that can be managed at home and a serious bacterial infection requiring antibiotics or hospitalization. My training taught me to identify subtle warning signs that others might miss.
Why evaluate fever with Dr. Sandy?
Pediatric Emergency Specialist
Training from Hospital Infantil de México in managing complicated fevers. I can quickly identify serious infections (meningitis, sepsis, bacterial pneumonia) versus simple viral infections that don’t require antibiotics.
Febrile Infant Protocol
Specialized training in evaluating babies under 3 months with fever - the most vulnerable group. I know exactly what tests they need and when they require hospitalization for observation.
Fast and Accurate Decisions
I quickly determine if your child can go home with symptomatic management or if they require hospitalization, IV antibiotics, or urgent tests (lumbar puncture if meningitis suspected).
Available at Hospitals
Care at Hospital Roosevelt, Centro Médico Aurora, and other hospitals when your child needs urgent fever evaluation that can’t wait.
Pediatric Emergency Specialist
Training from Hospital Infantil de México in managing complicated fevers. I can quickly identify serious infections (meningitis, sepsis, bacterial pneumonia) versus simple viral infections that don’t require antibiotics.
Febrile Infant Protocol
Specialized training in evaluating babies under 3 months with fever - the most vulnerable group. I know exactly what tests they need and when they require hospitalization for observation.
Fast and Accurate Decisions
I quickly determine if your child can go home with symptomatic management or if they require hospitalization, IV antibiotics, or urgent tests (lumbar puncture if meningitis suspected).
Available at Hospitals
Care at Hospital Roosevelt, Centro Médico Aurora, and other hospitals when your child needs urgent fever evaluation that can’t wait.
Ready for your child to receive specialized care?
Experience the difference of comprehensive, personalized treatment
🚨 Warning signs with fever - go URGENT
Seek immediate emergency care if besides fever your child has:
Difficulty breathing
Breathing very fast, chest retractions, noisy breathing, blue lips or fingers
May indicate pneumonia, severe bronchiolitis, or respiratory failurePetechiae or purple spots
Small red dots (petechiae) or purple spots that DON’T fade when pressing the skin
Could be meningococcemia (meningococcal infection) - potentially fatal, requires urgent antibioticsAltered level of consciousness
Very lethargic, won’t wake up well, confused, excessive drowsiness, seizures, stiff neck
Possible meningitis (nervous system infection) or encephalitis - requires urgent lumbar punctureDehydration
No urine in >8 hours, very dry mouth, crying without tears, sunken eyes, poor skin turgor
Severe dehydration requires urgent IV hydration to prevent shockPersistent vomiting
Won’t tolerate fluids, vomits everything, severe abdominal pain, green vomit (bile) or with blood
May indicate bowel obstruction, appendicitis, or severe dehydrationInconsolable crying or moaning
High-pitched persistent crying that won’t stop with anything, constant moaning, extreme irritability
May be sign of severe pain (meningitis, serious infection) or severe discomfortExtreme pallor or cyanosis
Very pale, grayish, or bluish skin (lips, fingers)
May indicate poor perfusion, septic shock, or serious cardiorespiratory problemBaby <3 months with fever
Any fever >100.4°F/38°C rectal in infant under 3 months, regardless of how they look
High risk of serious bacterial infection due to immature immune system - always requires urgent evaluationWhat does urgent fever evaluation include?
Systematic protocol to identify cause and severity:
Focused medical history
When fever started, how high it’s been, what medications you’ve given and if it came down, associated symptoms (cough, vomiting, diarrhea, pain), exposure to sick people, recent vaccines, travel.
Complete physical exam
Vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure), general appearance (active vs. lethargic), hydration, search for infectious source: ears, throat, lungs, skin, abdomen, meningeal signs. I identify if they look toxic (very ill) or non-toxic.
Tests based on age and presentation
UNDER 3 MONTHS: almost always need complete workup - CBC, CRP, blood culture, urinalysis with urine culture, lumbar puncture if high risk. OLDER: tests based on diagnostic suspicion and severity - not always necessary if clear source (e.g., obvious ear infection).
Management decision
Discharge home with symptomatic management? Antibiotics? Hospitalization for observation or IV antibiotics? Depends on: age, appearance (toxic vs. non-toxic), source found, and lab results.
Focused medical history
When fever started, how high it’s been, what medications you’ve given and if it came down, associated symptoms (cough, vomiting, diarrhea, pain), exposure to sick people, recent vaccines, travel.
Complete physical exam
Vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure), general appearance (active vs. lethargic), hydration, search for infectious source: ears, throat, lungs, skin, abdomen, meningeal signs. I identify if they look toxic (very ill) or non-toxic.
Tests based on age and presentation
UNDER 3 MONTHS: almost always need complete workup - CBC, CRP, blood culture, urinalysis with urine culture, lumbar puncture if high risk. OLDER: tests based on diagnostic suspicion and severity - not always necessary if clear source (e.g., obvious ear infection).
Management decision
Discharge home with symptomatic management? Antibiotics? Hospitalization for observation or IV antibiotics? Depends on: age, appearance (toxic vs. non-toxic), source found, and lab results.
Specialized Pediatric Care in Zone 9
Dra. Sandyita Pedia - Zona 9
4A Avenida 12-46, Centro Médico Aurora, Zona 9Modern clinic in the heart of Zone 9 Guatemala
Office Hours
Tuesday to Friday from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (afternoon appointment only)
Emergency Care
24/7 Pediatric Emergencies
Coverage Areas
Guatemala City
- • Zone 9, 10, 14, 15
- • Zone 1, 4, 13
- • Aurora Airport Area
Metropolitan Area
- • Mixco
- • Villa Nueva
- • Santa Catarina Pinula
- • San José Pinula
Hospital Coverage
- • Hospital Roosevelt
- • Hospital General San Juan de Dios
- • Private hospitals in Guatemala City
- • Nearby hospital facilities
Frequently asked questions, clear answers
Have more questions? Let’s talk on WhatsApp for personalized answers about your child’s care.
Other services you may be interested
General Pediatric Emergencies
For other emergencies besides fever. Pediatric emergency physician with experience in critical cases.
Sick Visit
For fevers that aren’t emergencies but require evaluation. Diagnosis of infection source.
Respiratory Distress
Fever with difficulty breathing may be pneumonia or severe bronchiolitis. Urgent evaluation.