How to deal with fever based on age

Fever is a symptom of various diseases that most people experience. These symptoms can be caused by various things, but mostly due to an infection in the body. In fact, how to deal with fever can vary according to the age group. Then how do you deal with fever?

How to deal with fever in general

Basically, fever is the body's way of surviving an ongoing infection. Most fevers are caused by infectious diseases, from mild to severe illness. Fever is not dangerous if it occurs in people who do not have a history of any disease. Even though it looks dangerous and scary, having a fever gives your immune system a chance to get stronger.

A person is said to have a fever if he exceeds an average body temperature, which is around 36-37 degrees Celsius. If the thermometer shows a number more than 37 degrees Celsius, you can say you have a fever. In general, here are ways to deal with fever:

• Keeping you well hydrated. Drinking mineral water is one way to deal with fever that occurs. fluids that enter the body will be excreted through sweat and urine, thereby lowering body temperature.
• Rest in bed. Most people also feel weak and dizzy when they have a fever, so it is better to rest in a comfortable place.
• Don't let the blankets pile up on you. Precisely when someone has a fever, it is best not to cover it with a thick cloth or blanket because it will take longer for the body temperature to return to normal - unless the symptoms of chills also appear.
• Use a towel soaked in cold water to compress the body parts, do not immediately shower with cold water or use ice cubes because it will be dangerous.
• Taking fever-reducing drugs such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen (advil, Motrin IB), and aspirin. However, giving aspirin to children should be avoided.

How to deal with fever according to the age group

The following is an explanation of when and how to treat fever according to age groups. Of course, the handling of infants and children with fever will be different from that of adults. Here is the explanation.

Overcoming fever in infants and toddlers

Babies under three months of age do not have a mature and perfect immune system so they are susceptible to infection that causes fever symptoms. If you have a baby under the age of three months and has a fever that reaches 38 degrees Celsius, then you have to take him to the doctor for further examination.

Meanwhile, babies aged three to six months may not need medical attention if they have a fever of up to 38.9 degrees Celsius. However, if your baby has a fever of more than this temperature, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Infants aged six months to one year who have a body temperature of up to 38.9 degrees Celsius can be given fever-reducing drugs that must be according to doctor's recommendations.

Overcoming fever in children and adolescents

If children aged 2 to 17 years have a fever less than 39 degrees Celsius, then in general they do not need fever-reducing drugs - depending on the child's condition. The heat will decrease along with adequate rest and compressing the feverish body part.

However, if the fever exceeds this temperature, it is better to drink fever-reducing drugs. And if the fever persists for three days, you should do further medical examinations.

Overcoming fever in adults

You don't need to take medication if your body temperature is less than 38.9 degrees Celsius. New fever-reducing drugs are needed when your body temperature reaches 39 degrees Celsius or more. However, if the fever lasts up to 3 days and fever-reducing drugs are not effective in overcoming your fever, then what you need to do is to see a doctor.

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