(HealthDay News) -- When a baby has a fever, parents may be unsure if this warrants a call to the pediatrician.

The American Academy of Pediatricians offers these guidelines:

• You must call your pediatrician immediately if your infant is age 2 months or younger, with a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Call the doctor if your child is between 3 months and 6 months old with a fever of 101 degrees or higher, or if baby is older than 6 months with a fever of 103 degrees or higher.
• Except for these cases, judge your child's symptoms and call the doctor if your child has a severe sore throat or earache, cough or a rash.
• Call the doctor if your child has a fever with diarrhea or vomiting, is very fussy or is sleeping excessively.
• If a fever persists in a child older than 1 year for longer than 24 hours, even if there are no other symptoms, call the pediatrician.

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