Fever in children: symptoms, causes, to treatment

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Definition

What is fever in children?

Fever in children is a temporary increase in the child's body temperature, often caused by disease. This condition indicates that something is wrong in the child's body.

Therefore, fever in children is considered a normal response to many conditions of which infection is the most common. If your child's temperature is higher than 38 ℃, your children will definitely have a fever.

According to Stanford Children's Health, fever is not a disease, but a symptom or sign that your child's body is fighting a disease or infection. The fever stimulates the body's defenses, sending white blood cells and other "warrior" cells to fight and destroy the causes of infection.

The increase in body temperature in children can also occur due to:

• Chemicals, called cytokines and mediators, are made in the body in response to bodily intruders.
• The body makes more macrophages. These are the cells that go to war when "intruders" are present in the body. These cells "eat" the invading organisms.
• The body is busy trying to make natural antibodies that fight infection. These antibodies will recognize the infection when trying to attack.
• Many bacteria are enclosed in a mantle-like membrane. When these membranes are damaged or broken, the loose contents can be toxic to the body. They then stimulate the brain to raise body temperature.

How common is fever in children?

Fever in children is common. Almost every child will have a fever at some point in time. Usually, the fever will go away on its own on days 3 to 4.

This condition can be managed by reducing risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of fever in children?

The fever in the child may create discomfort when the body temperature rises. Followed by an increase in body temperature of more than 38 ℃, the symptoms of this condition are:

• Your child is inactive and talkative as usual
• Your child may not feel hungry or thirsty
• Your child may feel warm or hot. Keep in mind that if your child feels "on fire," the measured temperature may not be that high.

In healthy children, not all fevers have to be treated. However, a high fever can make a child feel uncomfortable and create bad problems, such as dehydration.

The fever may not be serious if your child still:

• Interested to play
• Eat and drink well
• Responds and smiles at you
• Have normal skin color
• Looks fine when her body temperature is slowly dropping.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

How to determine fever in children?

A gentle kiss on the forehead or a hand that is placed on the surface of the child's skin is enough to indicate whether your child has a fever or not. However, this method of measuring temperature (called touch temperature) will not provide an accurate measurement.

Use a reliable digital thermometer to inform you of fever. Fever in children occurs when the body temperature is at this stage:

• Measured orally (by mouth): 37.8 ℃
• Measured rectally (rectally): 38 ℃
• Measured in the axillary position (under the arm): 37.2 ℃

A high fever doesn't tell you how sick your child is. Mild flu and viral infections can sometimes cause a high fever (38.9 ℃ to 40 ℃), but this does not mean there are signs of serious problems.

According to Kids Health, in fact serious problems in babies may not cause fever or actually lower body temperature (below 36.1 ℃).

Since the fever can go up and down, your child may chill when the body temperature starts to rise. The child may sweat to release extra heat while lowering his body milk.

Sometimes, a fever in a child makes breathing faster than usual and may speed up the heart rate.

When should I call the doctor?

Children with a body temperature lower than 38.9 ℃ usually do not need medical attention, unless they are very comfortable. Kids Health mentions that there are important exceptions to fever in children, namely:

If your child 3 years of age or younger has a body temperature of 38 ℃ or higher, call the doctor immediately or go to the emergency room. Even a mild fever can be a sign of a serious infection in a very young baby.

Additionally, you should call your doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Your child is any age and has recurrent fevers with a body temperature above 40 ℃.
• Your child is younger than 2 years and has a fever with a body temperature of 38 ℃ that lasts more than one day.
• Your child is 2 years old and has a fever with a body temperature of 38 ℃ that lasts more than three days.
• Your baby is fussy and keeps crying.
• Breathe faster or keep breathing fast even though the fever has decreased.
• The child becomes lethargic or irritable, vomits repeatedly, experiences severe headaches or stomach pain, or has other symptoms causing significant discomfort.
• Has a fever after being left in a hot car, and lasts more than three days.
• Having poor eye contact.
• The child has been seen by the doctor but the condition is worse or new symptoms appear again.
• Have seizures.
• The child has complex medical problems or is using prescription drugs on a prolonged basis.

Cause

What causes fever in children?

It is important to remember that fever without other symptoms is not a disease. Fever in children can be caused by:

Infection

Most fevers are caused by infections or other illnesses. Fever can help the body to fight infection by stimulating natural defense mechanisms.

Wearing too much clothing

Babies, especially newborns, may have a fever because they are over-dressed or in a hot environment. They have not been able to regulate body temperature like children with older age.

Since a fever in a newborn can indicate a serious infection, babies who are overdressed should be examined by a doctor if they have a fever.

Immunization

Infants and children sometimes experience low-grade fever after going through immunizations.

Although teething can cause body temperature to rise, it usually doesn't cause fever in children over 37.8 ℃.

What increases the risk of fever in children?

There are many risk factors for fever in children, such as:

• Age. Young children are more likely to catch the disease and have a fever.
• Contact. Children can develop a fever if they are in close contact with someone who is sick, which increases the risk of developing infection and fever.
• Immunity. Children with weak immune systems have an increased risk of developing infections and fever.
• Food and water. Eating contaminated food or water is one of the risks of causing infection and fever.

Diagnosis

To diagnose whether your child has a fever, the doctor may ask questions about your child's symptoms and their medical history.

In some cases, the doctor can perform a physical exam to confirm the condition of your child. Additionally, based on your child's medical history and physical examination your doctor may require tests such as a blood test or chest x-ray if needed.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How can I help with fever in my child?

Not all fevers need help. In most cases, a fever should be treated only if the child is experiencing discomfort. Here are some ways to relieve symptoms that usually come with fever in children:

Drugs

Urinary tract infections, ear infections, throat infections, sinus infections, skin infections, gastrointestinal infections, and pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics at home. The child may receive oral antibiotics, injections, or both.

If your child is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, they will usually be asked to be admitted to the hospital. Then, they can be given acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever.

Infants under two months of age should not be given medicine for fever without a doctor's examination. If your child has health problems, a doctor's examination is needed to determine the best medication.

Keep in mind that fever medications can temporarily lower your body temperature, but usually won't bring it back to normal. They also will not relieve the cause of the fever.

Dehydration can occur during fever in children. To overcome this, the child can receive oral fluids or intravenous (IV) fluids. If a child vomits, then drugs to control nausea can be given by injection or rectal suppositories.

Creating comfort at home

Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with fever in children:

• Dress in moderation

Provide your children with adequate clothing and cover them with a layer of blankets. Excessive clothing and wrapping can prevent body heat from escaping and cause body temperature to rise.

• Take a warm shower

This can help the child feel comfortable. This should be done for no more than 10 minutes per hour

• Take care of the child to avoid dehydration

Children lose more water from their skin and lungs during a fever. You can help them avoid this by encouraging them to drink clear fluids, but without caffeine or water.

This liquid can be chicken soup, ORS, and other rehydrating drinks that are available in stores or pharmacies.

• Create comfort in your child's room

Make sure the temperature of your child's bedroom is at a comfortable temperature, not hot and not cold.

• Do not use cold water to bathe your child

The warm water sponge only helps to temporarily lower body temperature. Your child can become uncomfortable this way too.

Never rub your child's body with alcohol as it can cause poisoning if it is absorbed through the skin. Also, do not apply ice or cold water to your child as this can cause chills to increase body temperature.

Food and Drink

Provide plenty of fluids for your child to avoid dehydration because fever causes the child to lose fluids faster. Water, soup, and flavored gelatine are all good options.

Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as colas and teas, as they can make dehydration worse by urinating too often.

If you have any questions, please consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat fever in children?

Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with fever in children:

• Take a warm shower. This can help the child feel comfortable. This should be done for no more than 10 minutes per hour
• Take care of the child to avoid dehydration. Children lose more water from their skin and lungs during a fever. You can help them avoid this by encouraging them to drink clear fluids but without caffeine or water. This liquid can be chicken soup, ORS, and other rehydrating drinks that are available in stores or pharmacies.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.