What causes a child to run a
fever or high temperature? Parents get too worried about their kids’ fevers. When a fever
strikes a child most parents overmedicate, use cold baths
unnecessarily and check temperatures too frequently. Fever is the
body's defence mechanism against either viruses or bacteria. It is
an important way by which the body fights infection. The body
tries to create so much heat that the virus or the bacteria cannot
survive. Having a temperature helps the child fight illness.
The part of the human brain which controls body temperature is not
fully developed in children. That means that children's
temperature may rise and fall very quickly. The temperature of
their surroundings very easily affects a child's body temperature.
If it is very hot, take off some of your child's clothes so heat
can escape from their body. If it is very cold, parents can help
their child stay warm by dressing him or her in warm clothes.
What is the normal temperature for a child?
If you take the temperature in your child's mouth or ear, the
normal temperature is between 36° and 36.8° C (97.7° to 99.1°F).
Does it make a difference where the temperature is taken?
The temperature can be taken by putting the thermometer in the
child's mouth, under her arm, in her ear, in her bottom, or using
strips that are placed on the forehead.
The most reliable results are achieved by taking the temperature
in the child's bottom - known as the rectal method. Temperatures
taken here are most accurate and are about 0.5 degrees C higher in
the mouth. Temperature taken in the armpit is not very reliable
and will be about 0.5 degrees C (2 degrees F) lower than the mouth
temperature.
How to measure the child’s temperature using the rectal method?
The most precise, method is rectal measurement. It is the best
method for children up to the age of three. You can use a mercury
thermometer. When using a mercury thermometer, shake it before
use.
Place the child over your knee with its stomach on your thighs.
This will give you a firm grip and you will be able to see what
you are doing. Put a little petroleum jelly on the tip of the
thermometer and insert it carefully 1-1.5 cm (about half an inch)
into your child's rectum. If it is a mercury thermometer, hold it
steady for two minutes.
How to measure the child’s temperature in the mouth?
The thermometer is placed in the mouth, under the tongue and will
take two to three minutes to measure the temperature. If the child
has just eaten anything hot or cold, it will be necessary to wait
10 minutes before an accurate temperature can be taken. This
method is not suitable for a young child. She may bite the
thermometer and break it, which can be very dangerous.
Temperatures taken in the mouth will be 0.5 degrees C lower than a
rectal temperature reading.
How to measure the child’s temperature under the armpit?
This method is not good for small children, since they will not
stay still for long enough. You risk both an inaccurate
measurement and hurting the child. With older children, you place
the thermometer under their armpit for 5 - 10 minutes.
Temperatures taken under the armpit will be about 0.5 degree C
lower than temperatures taken in the mouth.
What to do when the child has a temperature?
A child with a high temperature needs more liquids than otherwise,
because the fever will make them sweat a lot. Make sure the child
drinks plenty of liquids - if necessary, a teaspoonful every few
minutes. Provided she drinks plenty of liquids, it won't matter
too much if she eats very little for a couple of days.
A child with a high temperature also needs rest and sleep. She
does not have to be in bed all day if she feels like playing, but
she should have the opportunity to lie down.
If the child shivers while her temperature is rising, it is
necessary to cover her with a a blanket, but when her temperature
has stabilised and the child starts sweating,
she needs to cool down. She only need to wear underwear or a nappy
and this will help the heat escape from the body. Make sure her
room is ventilated and cool. If you want to use medication to get
the temperature down, ask your doctor who will be able to tell you
what to use and how much. The dosage will depend on both the age
and weight of your child. Paracetamol suspension is the usual
choice.
A sick child is often tired and bad-tempered. She sleeps a lot and
when she is awake, she will want her parents around all the time.
It is okay to spoil a child a little while she is sick. Read to
her, play with her and spend time with her. This is not the time
to teach a child good manners. A child usually recovers quickly
and will go back to their old self again.
When does it become necessary to call the doctor?
Observe your child carefully. If the child looks exhausted, ill
and behaves differently, call the doctor immediately.
If you have a young child, less than three months old, who runs a
high fever, call the doctor. If your child cries continuously
without your being able to comfort her, or doesn't wake up easily,
call the doctor
If your child has a temperature over 38 degrees C (101.3 degrees
F) for more than three days, the child needs to be examined by a
doctor.
And if your child has any of these symptoms call the doctor
immediately:
* Stiff neck
* Hallucinations
* Red rash or blue/purple dots or patches
* Troubled breathing
* Cramps
* Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
* Severe tonsillitis
* If it is painful for the child to urinate, or she urinates more
than usual
* Other illnesses
* If your child has just had an operation
* If your child does not seem to be getting better
Healthcare Provider
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