RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsFever
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if the fever is getting worse or is not improving with care at home.
- Get urgent advice sooner for shaking chills, poor drinking, much less pee, new pain, a new rash or feeling increasingly unwell.
- Seek medical advice early if pregnant, immune defences are weakened or there is a serious long-term condition. Do not wait a fixed number of days.
- For an urgent problem that is not life-threatening, NHS 111 may direct you to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) rather than a GP appointment. UTCs can assess many minor illnesses and injuries. Services, opening hours and ages treated vary, so call NHS 111 if you are unsure where to go. Do not delay emergency help for any of the emergency signs below.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- A severe headache with a stiff neck, discomfort in bright light, or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass. Do not wait for a rash to appear.
- A seizure, new confusion or becoming difficult to wake.
- Severe shaking, very fast breathing or a racing heartbeat with feeling extremely unwell.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Feverhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-adults/
- NHS - When to go to an Urgent Treatment Centrehttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-visit-an-urgent-treatment-centre/
- NHS - Meningitishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/