Fever

A fever usually indicates that the body is fighting an illness or infection. In most cases, it is not dangerous for the patient. Fever can be seen as the immune system functioning to help the patient's body. When a fever occurs, it is essential to identify its cause and make the child as comfortable as possible. The normal body temperature varies according to age, health, activity level and during the day. Infants have a relatively higher temperature than older children.

The highest temperature is from midday to evening, and the lowest is from midnight to early morning. The amount of clothing affects a person's temperature. An average temperature ranges from 36.4° to 37.5°. A temperature of 38° and above is considered a fever.

Signs and Symptoms of Fever

Most children feel well when they have a fever. They are hot to the touch, flushed, sweaty and thirsty. Some have symptoms of illnesses that cause fever, for example

Earache
Sore throat
Rash
Abdominal pain
etc.

Fever is characterized by increased breathing and heart rate, comparative fatigue and a bad mood.

Consult a Doctor If the Child Has A Fever and:

He/she seems ill, unusually sleepy or listless (even after the fever has gone down).
Has been exposed to very high temperatures for a long time.
Other symptoms include stiff neck, severe headache, sore throat and/or earache, unexplained rash, repeated vomiting or diarrhea.
Has problems with the immune system, such as sickle-cell anemia, tumor disease, or is taking steroids.
Has seizures.
Under three months of age and has a temperature of 38° or higher.
Fever of 40° or higher at any age.
Fever lasting more than 24-48 hours.
In your opinion, the child's condition is getting worse.

Fever Treatment

First and second-line drugs are used to reduce the fever:

Paracetamol every 4-6 hours
Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours.
Refer to the medicine's leaflet for advice on the dosage before consulting your pediatrician. It is essential to get the dosage right.
When treating a fever, the most important thing is to make the child as comfortable as possible, provide enough fluids to drink and watch for signs and symptoms.
If the temperature is higher than 38.5° and there is considerable discomfort, antipyretics can be given.
It takes some time - 30-60 minutes - for the fever to begin to drop (rather than completely return to normal!). It is essential to take warm clothes and blankets off the child during this time to ensure cooling by releasing the high temperature to the outside.
Use only one antipyretic at a time; the interval between the different groups should be at least 2 hours!
It is a good sign if the child is playing, in a good mood and interacting with others after taking the antipyretic medicine.

General Advice

Do not overheat the child with clothing or by increasing the temperature in the room, and do not wrap him up.
Do not use alcohol or vinegar lotions, ice, cold water etc., to lower the child's temperature. These measures are no longer recommended (only in some instances after consultation with the doctor!)
During fever, the patient loses fluids, so give plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Signs of dehydration include tearless crying, dry mouth, and decreased wet diapers.
Have a steady supply of antipyretics.
Tell your pediatrician about your child's illness.
Take the temperature with a thermometer, and don't rely on a tactile assessment (putting your hand to your forehead or cheek).

How to Take a Temperature?

The most reliable way to measure temperature at any age is by rectal or oral measurement, but oral temperature should only be taken in children over five.
Modern society also uses ear and forehead electrical thermometers and patches, which have a low-reliability rating. Therefore, if a fever is detected this way, it should be checked by measuring the temperature rectally.
A glass mercury thermometer has been excluded from rectal temperature measurement because of certain dangers if it breaks.
The most common use is to measure the temperature in the armpit, which should be well-dried beforehand.