If your kid develops a fever, it is an indication that the immune system fights an illness. Reducing fever won’t eliminate the disease but can alleviate some pain and provide a chance to reassess your kid’s symptoms. A fever is an infection defense. The body of your kid raises its temperature to fight the bacteria. After most instances, it is innocuous, and in three days, it fades by itself.
Learn what a fever is for a kid, how to decrease a fever, and when to visit a doctor at a pediatric clinic or emergency room (ER).
What is a fever?
A fever occurs when the inner thermostat of the body increases the temperature over average. The thermostat is located in the hypothalamus region of the brain. The hypothalamus recognizes your body’s temperature (typically about 98.6°F/37°C) and sends your body signals to maintain it that way.
Most individuals alter their body temperatures a little throughout the day: it’s generally somewhat lower in the morning and slightly higher during the night and can fluctuate when children run, play, and work out. However, sometimes the hypothalamus resets the body to a more significant temperature due to an infection, disease, or other reason. Researchers think that the heat is a method for the body to control the bacteria that cause illnesses and make it less convenient for them.
Causes of a fever
It is essential to note that a fever alone is not a disease; it’s a symptom of another issue. A few factors can lead to a fever, including:
- Infection: Most fevers are caused by other diseases. Fevers help the body fight infections by activating the systems of natural defense.
- Overdressing: Children, particularly newborns, can get a fever when overpowered or in a hot environment since they don’t adjust body temperature and older children. Because fevers in newborns can signal that they are infected seriously, babies overdressed must also be examined by a doctor if they have a fever.
- Immunization: Babies and children are occasionally immunized with a low-grade fever.
Even while teething can lead to a slow increase in body temperature, it is usually not the reason if a kid’s temperature is over 100°F (37.8°C).
What can you do?
Acetaminophen can decrease the temperature of your kid. The dosage will be stated on the label if they are older than 2. Ask your doctor if they are younger how much to give them. Another alternative is ibuprofen if your kid is six months of age at least.
You can do a lot to help them feel better. Put a cool compress on your head and maintain the temperature in your room moderately—not too warm and not too chilly. Put them in a light clothing layer and provide them with a soft blanket. You can also refresh them with a clean sponge wash.
And don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
When do you have to worry?
Not all fevers need to be treated in healthy children. However, a high fever can make a kid uncomfortable and exacerbate issues (such as dehydration). Doctors determine whether to treat a fever by taking into account both the temperature and the general health of the kid.
Children with temperatures below 102°F (38.9°C) generally do not require medicines unless they are inconvenient. There is one crucial exception: if a child has a rectal fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or greater for three months or younger, then contact your doctor or immediately go to the emergency room.
If your kid develops a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher between 3 months and three years, contact if your doctor requires. Take behavior and activity levels into consideration for older children. Watching your kid’s behavior can give you a good indication of whether a small disease is a reason or whether a doctor should look at your child.
The disease cannot be severe if your child is still engaged in playing, is eating and drinking well, and is awake and smiling. If their temperature falls, it looks good. Don’t worry too much about a fevered kid who won’t eat. This is common with fever-causing illnesses. For children who still drink and urinate (pee), it’s not as natural to eat.
No fixed temperature should concern a parent since the body of each kid can respond differently to a fever. Although a high temperature alone cannot justify an ER or a pediatric-clinic trip, several additional symptoms can be seen. If a high fever accompanies breathing difficulties, dry lips or sunken eyes, excess vomiting, and dehydration, you should go to the ER.
