Fever is a typical body response recurring in most children at least a few times a year. Fever occurs when your body’s thermostat goes out of balance, and it’s a natural healthy process that boosts the immune system and fights infections.
But if they get too high, it can be evidence of a bacteria or viral infection and can be dangerous or fatal.
Fever in children is not always a severe condition, so how do you know when to worry and relax? If your child’s temperature goes above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to visit our ER.
Symptoms of Fever in Children
The fever symptoms result from producing chemicals called cytokines and specific immune system responses to disease-causing microorganisms in the body.
A mild fever generally increases 2 degrees in body temperature. It can be accompanied by other symptoms, from minor irritability to extreme inability to eat or sleep. Illnesses such as the flu, chickenpox, and other infections typically cause fever in children.
What to Do When Your Child Has A Fever
Parents regularly see a doctor when their child has a fever. But at a certain point, waiting it out at home may suffice. To help your child feel better, some general tips to avoid making their fever worse include:
- Stay away from sugary foods or sugary fluids
- Dress your child lightly
- Give acetaminophen
- Give your child lots of fluids to stay hydrated
- Keep your child away from the sun.
Seek medical attention if fever persists for more than 24 hours in your child under 6.
Which Thermometer is the Most Accurate?
Babies don’t always want to be poked and prodded; they prefer to have their needs met, so you should consider your child’s comfort before choosing a thermometer.
There are generally two types of thermometers—glass and digital. Glass thermometers use a fluid inside of them to determine temperature. Digital thermometers confirm precisely the temperature no matter how remote or inaccessible the location and display the temperature on an LCD screen.
To check your child at home, you should use a digital thermometer. Please read the instructions and follow them carefully. Most importantly, wash your hands before taking your child’s temperature.
How to Diagnose a Fever
Before you begin, you must determine whether you need to take your baby’s temperature rectally, orally, or under the arm. The first tool you can use to determine if your child has a fever is touch.
Digital thermometers are best for taking your child’s temperature. If it reads 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher, you can read the temperature as fever.
You should see a physician if your child is experiencing a high fever. Your doctor may order a lab test to see which germ is causing the infection.
How Long Should I Wait For My Child’s Fever To Go Away?
Most fevers will go away on their own. However, persistently high fevers can cause problems like dehydration.
A baby who has a high temperature needs immediate treatment with Antipyretic drugs, such as ibuprofen, unless you know for sure that it’s a harmless fever. If your child has a temperature you aren’t sure about, ask a doctor before treating him with medicine.
Tips on Giving Medication
When you have a fever, it’s tempting to down an over-the-counter fever reliever to bring the temperature down fast. But you’ll have to follow through with patience since most fever reducers take several hours to work. Here are tips on administering medication to treat your child’s fever.
- Until your doctor directs you otherwise, do not give infants under three months any medicine
- To ensure your child receives the appropriate dose and frequency of medication
- carefully read the label on the package or clinic packaging.
- To ensure you are administering the correct dosage of liquid medications, use a measuring tool, such as a measuring cup, spoon, or syringe.
When to Take Your Child to the ER for a Fever?
Should you take him or her to the emergency room? if your child is unconscious or is choking, you should call or visit us right away.
To prevent the spread of common viruses, children experiencing fever should stay at home for 24 hours after the fever has subsided. A fever lasting more than a few days should never be mistaken for a typical childhood illness. Whenever in doubt, seek medical advice from your doctor