Guides for parents

Plain-language guides on keeping track of a child's fevers, symptoms and medicines — what's worth writing down, how to spot a pattern, and how to make the most of a short appointment.

Every guide here is free to read and works with nothing more than pen and paper; two include a printable chart. If you'd rather keep the record on your phone, Symtrail does the same job and adds the charts and the pattern-spotting for you.

Tracking PFAPA fever episodesWhat to record in each episode, how to work out the cycle, and how to predict the next one. Recurring fevers: finding the patternBack-to-back bugs or a regular cycle? How a few dates on paper can tell the two apart. Free printable fever logA printable fever chart for kids, and what's actually worth writing in each column. Printable children's medicine logNever guess when the last dose was. What to record, and a printable chart to share between carers. A symptom diary for the doctorHow to turn weeks of notes into one page a doctor can read in a minute.

These guides are about record-keeping, not diagnosis or treatment. They aren't medical advice. If your child seems very unwell, or you're worried, contact a doctor or your local emergency number.

Keep the diary on your phone instead

Symtrail is a free symptom, temperature and medicine diary for your child. No account, works offline, and nothing you log ever leaves your phone.

Free to download. No account, no ads.