What Fever Means
mother checking child and temperature
We've all been there: You're stirred amidst the night by the tormented cries of your young youngster, and you see that her brow is hot to the touch. You take her temperature, and the perusing - 102?F - sends your heart dashing. Your first intuition is to speed-dial the specialist. In any case, much of the time this is what specialists say you ought to do rather: Take a full breath and unwind.
Obviously, that is less demanding said than done. Numerous guardians have "fever fear" - a propensity to blow a gasket when their youngster's body temperature spikes. Also, naturally, you're much more inclined to push the frenzy catch this winter as a result of stresses over H1N1 flu. Upwards of 30 percent of pediatric intense consideration visits are identified with fever, as per a study distributed recently in Pediatrics in Review. "A ton of guardians think a fever is truly risky," says Robert W. Steele, M.D., a pediatrician at St. John's Children's Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri. "Be that as it may, by far most of the time it's nothing genuine."
As it were, a fever is something to be thankful for: It implies your youngster's resistant framework is doing its employment by battling a hidden icy or another disease. The mind charges the body's temperature to rise, which thusly guides the white platelets to assault and obliterate attacking infections and microscopic organisms. Amazingly, solid children of any age more often than not can endure a fever of up to 106?F without any entanglements. Odds are your youngster's temperature will never approach that unnerving number, however be readied: It's practically inescapable that at some point amid his initial three years his temperature will move into the triple digits.
First Response
As a parent, what you should do about a fever depends largely on your child's age and the reading. If she's less than 3 months old, anything above 100.4?F warrants a quick call to the doctor. Because an infant's immune system isn't fully developed, she's vulnerable to potentially life-threatening infections like bacterial meningitis and pneumonia, and an elevated body temperature is often the only symptom
Between 3 and 6 months, your child needs to be examined by his pediatrician once his fever hits 101?F, says Steven Shelov, M.D., a Parents advisor and the editor-in-chief of American Academy of Pediatrics' Caring for Your Baby and Young Child.
Once your child is older than 6 months, you can safely wait to contact your doctor until her temperature rises to 103?F, with this important exception: Phone right away if her fever hits 102?F or above and she has two or more of these symptoms: a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, and diarrhea. These classic H1N1 flu symptoms (which are strikingly similar to those for seasonal influenza) tend to occur within 24 hours of the onset of a fever, and your pediatrician might recommend that she take the antiviral drug Tamiflu to reduce the severity and duration of her symptoms.
The Big Picture
Since fever is a signal from the body that something is wrong, pay close attention to your child's other symptoms. If he has a runny nose and a low-grade fever (under 101?F), it usually means he's got a common cold, while vomiting and diarrhea probably point to a stomach virus. In both cases, the fever tends to come on gradually and to disappear within a few days. But seasonal and H1N1 flu symptoms often strike very suddenly. "Flu hits your child like a ton of bricks," says Jason Homme, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "One day he's fine, and then boom, the next he can't get out of bed." For kids considered to be at higher risk (those under age 5 or with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes), treatment may be needed, so your doctor might have you in for a flu test. If your child is otherwise healthy the physician may simply assume (based on your description) that he has the flu, in which case he'll need to stay home until he's fever-free for 24 hours without using a fever reducer.
Find children's thermometers in Shop Parents
Red Flags
Let your doctor know right away if your child complains of a sore throat, an earache, or pain while peeing, since these ailments could signal strep throat, an ear infection, or a urinary tract infection, all of which may need to be treated with antibiotics. You should also check in with the office if your child shows symptoms of dehydration, such as if she urinates less than usual, doesn't produce any tears when she cries, or seems less alert than usual.
Although rare, certain symptoms (which are often accompanied by fever) require immediate medical attention. Head straight for the E.R. if your child is extremely short of breath, cries inconsolably, has difficulty waking, or develops a rash that doesn?t blanch when you touch it or has bruisy-looking purple spots (both could indicate meningococcemia, a potentially fatal infection of the bloodstream). Call 911 if her tongue, lips, or nails are blue (a sign that she may not be getting enough oxygen) or she has a stiff neck (a possible indicator of meningitis) or severe abdominal pain (which could mean appendicitis). Also call your pediatrician if your child is under 2 and her fever lasts more than 24 hours (for older kids, you can wait three days before calling unless she has symptoms suggestive of seasonal flu or H1N1). Ask for an appointment if your child's fever disappears and then returns a few days later, since she may have developed a secondary infection.
Cooling Off
While it's a natural instinct to treat your child's fever so he feels better, keep in mind that medication will merely mask it, not cure it. "Once a fever reducer wears off, your child's temperature may soar back up because the underlying cause is still there," says Laura Jana, M.D., a pediatrician and coauthor of American Academy of Pediatrics' Heading Home With Your Newborn.
As a general rule, you should focus on the way your child looks, feels, and acts rather than on what the thermometer says. "If you have to chase him around to give him medicine, he probably doesn't need it," says Dr. Jana. "Letting your child's fever run its course may actually help his body fight the underlying infection."
But if bringing down your little one's temperature makes him feel less crabby, it's fine to do so. For kids under 6 months, infant acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) is the only recommended fever reducer. Older babies and kids can also take children's ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil), which is more effective at fighting fever but also somewhat more likely to cause stomach irritation. Never give aspirin to a child under 16 -- it can cause Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal liver condition. If your child's fever is persistent, see if your doctor recommends treating him with alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen (spacing the two meds by at least two hours). But if you go that route, be sure to record the precise doses and times to prevent the risk of an overdose.
However, medication isn't the only Rx for a fever. A lukewarm bath or washcloth may temporarily cool your child off. Stay away from cold water and ice baths, though. "They'll make your child shiver, which can raise his temperature even higher afterward," Dr. Steele says. Also avoid alcohol rubs, a dangerous old-school remedy that can cause intoxication, seizures, or even coma. Giving your child lots of fluids -- including ice pops or Jell-O -- will help his body battle the illness and keep him hydrated. If he's vomiting or has diarrhea, give him an oral-rehydration-therapy drink to help replace electrolytes and fluids. Keep your child in lightweight, breathable clothing; dressing him in layers is best because he may be sweaty one minute and shivering the next. And don't forget the most helpful home remedy of all: lots of TLC.
How Thermometers Measure Up
There's no single right way to take your child's temperature -- but some methods are more precise than others.
Rectal
Con: Older kids don't like it
Pro: It's the best choice for kids up to age 3 or whenever an exact reading is critical.
Accuracy: The highest
Tip: Have your child lie across your lap or on his back with his legs up.
Oral
Con: The reading can be thrown off if your child doesn't keep the thermometer under her tongue until it beeps.
Pro: Most kids 4 and older can use them correctly, and there's no need to remove their clothing.
Accuracy: Good
Tip: If she's just had a hot or cold drink, wait 15 minutes.
Armpit
Con: If the room is chilly, you may get a false low reading.
Pro: It's very easy to use.
Accuracy: Adequate
Tip: Many doctors recommend adding 1?F to the reading for greater accuracy.
Ears
Con: Doctors say the tip is difficult to insert properly, especially for kids under 1
Pro: It's fast and convenient.
Accuracy: Varies
Tip: For a more precise result, pull your child's ear slightly up and back before inserting.
Forehead
Con: It's the most costly type of thermometer.
Pro: Temporal artery models record the temperature in seconds and are comfortable for kids.
Accuracy: Varies
Tip: It must be slid midway between the eyebrows and upper hairline for an accurate reading.
When to Phone the Doctor
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these fever guidelines for calling the office:
0 to 2 months: 100.4?F
3 to 6 months: 101?F
6+ months: 103?F
Your Burning Questions
Will my child have a febrile seizure?
He could. A febrile seizure is caused by a quick spike in temperature that disrupts the brain's normal electrical activity. Your child is prone if febrile seizures run in your family or if he's had one within the past year. Though the typical symptoms -- rolling of the eyes, twitching, and even vomiting -- are disturbing to watch, febrile seizures rarely harm a child and don't predispose him to epilepsy. If he has one, keep him on the floor and away from sharp objects, and turn his head sideways so that his tongue doesn't obstruct his breathing. Call 911 if it lasts longer than five minutes.
Can a high fever cause my child to have hallucinations?
Though adults are more likely to hallucinate from an elevated body temperature than kids are, it's possible your feverish child could start seeing things that aren't really there (such as a doll floating across her room or bugs crawling on her). High fevers -- 102?F or above -- are more likely to cause hallucinations. While they may be frightening for your child, they're harmless.
If my child's fever rises above 106?F, can it cause brain damage?
Yes, a fever that high can cause permanent injury, but it's almost never the result of illness alone. It's most likely to occur if your child has heatstroke (such as from being left in a hot car during the summer).
0 Response to "Powerful Ways to Treat Fever in Children"
Post a Comment