Fever – what to do with the chills
Fever is not a new word to parents. Most children will get fever at some stage. It remains the biggest cause of hospitalization among children. Fever is defined as a rectal temperature of over 38.0°C. Often, temperature readings taken at other parts of the body are lower. Fever itself is not life-threatening unless it is extremely and persistently high, which may indicate the presence of another serious illness.
Four Causes of fever
- Bacterial infections
- Heart illnesses
- Viral Infection
- Medication
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of fever may be obvious or subtle; the younger the child, the more subtle the symptoms.
Infants
They may be fussy, irritable, unusually quiet and tired, feel warm or hot, cry, breathe rapidly,and exhibit changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
Older children
Verbal children may complain of feeling hotter or colder in a room that is comfortable to others. They may also complain of body aches, headache, and difficulty in sleeping or sleeping more than usual and poor appetite.
Care at home
Home treatment is to reduce temperature, prevent dehydration and monitor for a serious or life threatening illnesses
10 Temperature tips
You can take a reading using a thermometer from your child’s mouth, under the arm or using a forehead strip. Glass thermometers work well.However, they may break and it may take a bit longer to get a reading. Digital thermometers are inexpensive and obtain a reading in seconds.
It is best to check an infant’s or toddler’s temperature rectally. Hold the child’s chest down across your knees and spread the buttocks with one hand. Then insert the thermometer lubricated with a water-soluble jelly about one inch into the rectum with the other hand. When it beeps, remove it and check the digital reading.
If the temperature is too high, reduce it to less than 38.0°C. A sponge bath with warm water can help. Put the child in a few inches of warm water and use a sponge or washcloth to wet her body including arms and legs.
Oral temperatures may be obtained in older children who are not mouth breathing or have not consumed a hot or cold beverage in the last 30 minutes. Place the tip of the thermometer under the child’s tongue towards the back and ask the child to hold it with her lips.
For back-up temperature checking, place the tip of the thermometer in the child’s dry armpit and hold it in place for about five minutes.
When taking oral temperature, a glass thermometer requires about three minutes while most digital thermometers need less than one minute.
Seek medical advice before you buy any over-the-counter medication to treat your child’s fever.
Avoid over dressing your children, even in the cold season. It is more practical to dress the child in a single layer of clothing and cover him with a sheet or light blanket.
Dehydration tips
Make sure your child drinks plenty of clear fluids like juice or non-carbonated drinks. Tea and other caffeine containing drinks increase urination thus more loss of fluids from the body.Your child should urinate light-co loured urine at least every four hours if well hydrated.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call your doctor in any of the following cases:
- If your child is younger than six months of age
- If you are unable to control the fever
- If you suspect your child has become dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhoea
- If after consultation with your doctor, your child gets worse or shows new symptoms.
END: BL 31 / 15