Sick Child or Baby on Vacation in Tangier: What to Do for a Fever?

Sick Child or Baby on Vacation in Tangier: What to Do in Case of Fever?

Going on vacation to Tangier with children is wonderful. But when your baby suddenly develops a high fever in the middle of the night in your hotel room or Airbnb, panic can quickly set in. Far from your usual pediatrician, what should you do?

Here is the guide from our emergency home doctors on managing a child's fever while on holiday, and knowing exactly when to call a medical professional to your accommodation.

Fever is not a disease, it's a defense mechanism

First thing to know: a fever (temperature above 38°C or 100.4°F) is a normal and healthy reaction of your child's body fighting an infection (most commonly viral, such as a cold, sore throat, or the dreaded summer stomach bug).

During the Tangier summer, a fever can also be a sign of heat exhaustion or heatstroke after a day exposed to the sun at the beach. The key is to observe your child's behavior: a child with 39°C (102.2°F) who is playing and smiling is less concerning than a child with 38°C (100.4°F) who is lethargic, refuses to drink, and is moaning.

First steps to take at your hotel or home

As soon as you notice the fever, here is what you should do:

1. Remove extra clothing: Undress the child to a single light layer or just underwear. Keep the room cool (set AC to around 24°C/75°F, but don't aim the airflow directly at them).
2. Hydrate very frequently: Fever causes significant dehydration, especially in the summer heat. Offer water, oral rehydration solution (ORS), or breastmilk every 15 minutes.
3. Give Paracetamol: Give infant or children's Paracetamol (Doliprane) syrup or suppositories (very useful if they are vomiting). Always follow the dosage based on their weight (typically every 6 hours).
4. Forget cold baths: Contrary to old beliefs, cold baths just make the child shiver and feel miserable, without actually helping lower the core body temperature effectively.

⚠️ When MUST you call a doctor urgently?

If you are on vacation in Tangier, do not wait until you fly back home. When in doubt, call Enurgence - SOS Médecin Tanger immediately for medical advice. Call a home doctor if:

• The baby is under 3 months old and has any fever (this is always a medical emergency).
• The fever reaches 40°C (104°F) or doesn't drop after giving paracetamol.
• The fever has lasted for more than 48 hours (or 72h for an older child).
• The child develops purple/red spots on the skin that do not fade when pressed with a clear glass (a sign of a serious infection like meningitis).
• They are struggling to breathe (breathing very fast, ribs sucking in).
• They refuse to drink and show signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry mouth, no tears).
• They have a febrile seizure (uncontrollable shaking/convulsions).
• They are unusually drowsy, difficult to wake, or in severe pain.

Home Doctor for Children in Tangier: The Stress-Free Solution

Dragging a sick, feverish child into a crowded clinic waiting room or hospital ER in Tangier is not ideal, especially in the middle of summer.

Enurgence - SOS Médecin Tanger solves this problem: we dispatch a qualified doctor directly to your hotel room, riad, or apartment, 24 hours a day, usually arriving within 20 minutes.

• The doctor will perform a full clinical exam (ears, throat, lungs) to find the source of the fever.
• They will prescribe the correct treatment on a prescription valid in all Moroccan pharmacies.
• We provide an official medical invoice that you can submit to your travel insurance (Allianz, AXA, Europ Assistance, etc.) for full reimbursement.

Don't let worry ruin your family holiday. Our doctors speak English and French, and are highly experienced in treating the children of tourists and expats.
📞 If you need help, contact Enurgence - SOS Médecin Tanger at 06 64 54 84 12, day or night.

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