Fevers are your child’s body’s natural defense mechanism to fighting infection faster. They help get rid of germs more efficiently.
Children’s body temperatures can naturally increase when crying, running around, eating a heavy meal or teething, or feeling hot from any source. A warm feeling in their forehead or neck could indicate they’re feverish.
As directed on the label, give them either acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB). Aspirin may cause severe side effects in children and teens; avoid it at all costs!
Causes
Fevers are often an indicator of illness and the body’s way of fighting infections, slowing their activities by raising body temperature to inhibit bacteria’s reproduction and spreading further. Furthermore, fever increases production of chemicals known as cytokines and mediators from immune cells which attack invading organisms or cancerous cells by producing these chemical agents that attack them directly while simultaneously helping destroy them.
Most kids with fevers don’t require medical intervention. However, if their temperature remains very high after taking over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen and still persists after giving them over-the-counter relief such as Tylenol(r) for example, please call your pediatrician for advice and don’t ignore other signs that they are sick or suffering – such as rapid heart rate and breathing; rapid shivering; cold hands and feet; headache or stiff neck; or poor appetite.
When your child has a fever, it is vital that they consume lots of fluids. This is particularly crucial when they experience frequent or prolonged fever episodes.
Children who are very young or who have immune systems compromised due to health conditions may be susceptible to febrile seizures (seizures caused by fever). These episodes can even prove fatal in certain instances.
Newborns and infants may develop fevers when overdressed or covered in too many blankets, as their bodies have difficulty controlling internal temperatures like older kids do. When fever symptoms appear in a newborn or infant it should always be checked by a healthcare provider immediately.
People living with chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or tumors may also experience fever due to their illness. Fever can also arise if taking certain anti-seizure drugs or antibiotics; sometimes these medicines cause temporary fever which resolves itself without needing further medical treatment. It’s possible for an individual to develop fever as an adverse reaction from vaccination or food allergy–an unlikely source.
Symptoms
If your child’s fever becomes unbearable, give them either acetaminophen (such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin). These medications will reduce their temperature while making them feel better; just follow package directions carefully and never give your child aspirin as this could result in a rare but serious illness known as Reye syndrome.
Children suffering from fever should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You may offer them hot soup, broth, popsicles or some other cold dessert to increase their fluid intake. Children vomiting or having diarrhea should use an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte(r).
Fever can be an early indicator of illness; therefore it typically doesn’t require treatment unless your child feels seriously unwell, or their temperature reaches 40degC (104degF) or higher. Treating very ill children by reducing their temperature could be risky since it is difficult to know whether their discomfort stems from fever or an underlying illness.
Some children may become irritable or cranky when experiencing fever, while others will act normally. It’s important to observe your child closely for signs that might point towards what illness could be causing their fever.
Some children with fever also exhibit other symptoms, including an earache, sore throat or rash. When treating their fever with over-the-counter medicine (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), it’s wise to consult their physician first; alternatively you could try keeping your child comfortable by dressing them loosely with light clothing so their body can cool down quicker; placing damp washcloths on foreheads or necks might also help; avoid rubbing their skin as this could make matters worse and lead to further discomfort; similarly do not immersing them into cold bathing as this could result in shock; instead opting for loose clothing will enable more cooling effects and keep medicating them until necessary by talking directly to their physician about using over-the-counter fever medicines from medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for example.
Treatment
Fever in children can be seen as the body’s way of fighting off an infection. Fever-reducing medications help curb this response by blocking body production of substances that increase temperature; such medications include Tylenol or Ibuprofen, either tablets or soluble granules for fizzy drinks. Aspirin should never be given as it has the potential to lead to Reye syndrome – an extremely rare but serious disease.
Most children do not require treatment for fevers. Fevers generally do not cause illness in kids and if an infant under 6 months has an extremely high fever it could indicate serious illness that needs hospital treatment.
If your child does need treatment for a fever, the first step should be attempting to identify its source. Ask about recent activities, whether or not they were around someone who was sick, medications they take (including supplements and vitamins). If possible make a list.
Keep your child hydrated by providing plenty of liquids such as water, fruit juices or soup broth. Try giving lukewarm or tepid baths. Dress your child lightly to reduce heat loss or fever spikes and bundles of blankets should be avoided to keep temperature down. Infants should receive either breast milk or formula as well as an electrolyte drink such as Pedialyte if applicable.
If your child is feeling very uncomfortable, try applying a warm or cool washcloth on their forehead, underarm area or back of knees – don’t use alcohol rubs or ice packs as these could further cause dehydration complications.
Prevention
Infants and young children typically do not need treatment for fevers unless their behavior indicates discomfort, or their temperature goes over 100deg Fahrenheit. Instead of trying to treat their fever with medication or remedies, parents should encourage restful sleeping conditions while giving ample fluids so their bodies can fight off infection more efficiently; keeping the child home will reduce risks of spreading any contagious illnesses to other kids or adults.
When children experience illness-related discomfort, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide comfort by relieving discomfort and lowering body temperature. Due to risk of Reye syndrome, aspirin should never be given before 18 years old.
Fever can often be accompanied by symptoms like vomiting, headache, sore throat soreness, cough and diarrhea in children. If any of these are present for your child please seek medical assistance immediately and contact a physician as soon as possible.
If your child is suffering from a high temperature, try soothing their discomfort with a lukewarm sponge bath or cool washcloths applied directly on forehead, wrists and groin area. Never use cold or ice water because this could make him or her shudder further and increase body temperature; and never use rubbing alcohol because its absorption through skin could prove fatal.
Fevers in infants and young children may result in febrile seizures, brief body shakes that occur while either awake or sleeping. When this happens, place them on the floor so you can extend their airway and provide extra cushion if required. If this has happened before or lasts more than two minutes, get medical help immediately; viral illnesses don’t respond well to antibiotics, while antibiotics might be required in treating bacterial infections that lead to fevers causing seizures.