It's three in the morning. Your child is flushed, hot and clammy, and the thermometer reads 39.4. Your own heart is racing more than theirs. The question is simple but hard: can this wait until morning, or should someone see your child now? Here is a calm guide – with a little extra explanation of how the Norwegian system works, in case you're new here.
Fever isn't an illness in itself; it's the body's defence against infection. In children, fever is defined as a temperature of 38.0 °C or higher measured rectally, and the vast majority of cases are harmless viral infections that pass on their own. That means a high number on the thermometer is rarely the thing that decides what you should do. Something else matters far more: your child's general condition. Below are three levels to think in, so that parents in Drammen know who to contact – and when.
A quick word on the Norwegian system
If you've recently moved to Norway, the structure can be confusing at the worst possible moment. In short: your fastlege (regular GP) handles everyday care during office hours. Outside those hours – evenings, nights and weekends – you call the national out-of-hours service, the legevakt, on 116 117. For life-threatening emergencies you call 113, the medical emergency number, at any time of day. You do not need to figure out which hospital to drive to on your own; calling first lets a nurse or doctor guide you.
The general condition matters more than the number
A child with a temperature of 39.5 who still drinks, gives a small smile and settles back to sleep is usually less worrying than a child at 38.5 who is unusually limp, distant and hard to engage. According to Helsenorge, the general condition is the single most important thing when you assess your child. Ask yourself: Do you get normal contact? Is your child drinking? Are the nappies wet, or are they passing urine as usual? Can they be comforted? A child who answers "yes" to these can usually be observed at home – fever and all, and at night too.
How to observe at home
Offer drinks often and in small amounts, remove a layer of excess clothing, and keep the room comfortably cool. Fever-reducing medicine can be used if your child is in pain or distressed – not simply to push the number down. Always use a dose matched to your child's weight, and read the package leaflet. If you're unsure about dosing, or your child is under three months old, this should be cleared with a doctor first.
When can it safely wait until morning?
For a child over one year with a good general condition, it's usually perfectly fine to wait until the surgery opens. Then you call your own fastlege during the day for an assessment, and an appointment if needed. This applies typically when the fever is recent (under three days), the child is drinking and responsive, and there are no warning signs (see below). Many parents hesitate to "make a fuss" – but fever in children is one of the most common reasons to contact a GP, and that's exactly what the GP is there for.
If the fever stays high for more than three to four days, or rises sharply again after the child seemed to improve, the child should be assessed by a doctor, according to Norsk Helseinformatikk (NHI). The same applies if the child needs fever-reducing medicine for more than two to three days just to stay reasonably comfortable.
When do you call the legevakt on 116 117?
The legevakt is for things that can't wait for your GP to open but aren't life-threatening. Outside your GP's opening hours, you call 116 117; a nurse assesses the situation by phone and decides whether your child should be seen right away, can wait, or should go elsewhere. Call the legevakt at night if:
- your child is unusually limp, distant or hard to wake
- the fever is very high and your child is clearly unwell at the same time
- your child won't drink, vomits repeatedly, or passes little urine (signs of dehydration)
- your child has difficulty breathing, complains of severe pain, or you simply sense that "something is wrong"
- your child is under three months old and has a fever – as a main rule this should always be assessed by a doctor
Take that last gut feeling seriously. Parents know their child best, and the legevakt would rather get one call too many than one too few. Doubt is reason enough to call.
If there are signs of serious illness, call the medical emergency number 113 immediately – don't wait. Be especially alert to a rash of small, red-purple spots that do not fade when you press a glass against the skin. Such a rash, particularly together with drowsiness, vomiting and a stiff neck, can be a sign of serious infection. The same goes for seizures, bluish skin, or a child who is very hard to make contact with.
The glass test – a simple check any parent can do
If a rash appears alongside the fever, you can do the so-called glass test: press the side of a glass against the rash. If the spots fade when you press, they are usually harmless. If they stay visible through the glass, they may be small bleeds under the skin (petechiae), which according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) can be a sign of serious infection. In that case contact a doctor immediately, or call 113. The test is a useful aid, but it does not replace your instinct – if you're worried, get in touch regardless of what the glass shows.
Wait / GP during the day: over one year, good general condition, drinking and responsive. Legevakt 116 117: evening/night/weekend, a clearly unwell child, little drinking, a child under three months with fever, or you are worried. 113: stiff neck, a rash that doesn't fade, seizures, breathing difficulty, severely reduced contact.
And in Drammen – where do you turn?
During the day, your GP is your first choice. If your child is registered with a GP at Hotvet legesenter in Rosenkrantzgata 75, call us during opening hours and we'll assess whether the child should be seen the same day. Outside our hours, the national number 116 117 connects you to the legevakt that covers Drammen. For life-threatening signs, call 113 – at any time. For more on choosing the right number in different situations, see our guide 113, 116 117 or Your GP? Who to Call in a Medical Situation.
For less urgent questions – follow-up the day after a feverish night, or a check on a child who is on the mend – a video consultation with your GP can be a practical option, so you don't have to take a sick child out of the house.
Does your child need a GP in Drammen?
Hotvet legesenter is located at Rosenkrantzgata 75, in the centre of Drammen. Several of our six GPs have places available on their lists right now – and several of them speak English.
See available GP placesThis article provides general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. If you are in doubt about your child's condition, contact your GP, the legevakt on 116 117, or 113. Talk to your doctor when unsure.