Fever is a common symptom that children often depict when their body is fighting an illness or an infection. Even minor infections can lead the temperature of their body to rise, alarming patients and caregivers.
Children suffering from fever can be distressing, but it does not always indicate a medical emergency.
That makes it even more important to know when a fever could be a problem for your child’s health and when monitoring your kid at home will be okay. Also, how can you ensure that your child remains calm during a fever when you are providing home care?
We’ll address these questions here in this article so you can be more confident of your kids’ condition and take the appropriate care.
Fever in Children
Fever is considered a healthy and natural response to an infection or illness, so you cannot consider it bad altogether. However, there are certain points that you must know to make your choice about urgent medical care.
When the body reaches beyond a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) measured rectally, it is said to be in fever. This threshold varies depending on the measurement method (e.g., oral, ear, or forehead). So, you must consider
Causes of Fever
Without analyzing the medical history and the kid’s current condition, providing the actual cause of the fever isn’t possible.
However, here is a list of reasons that might cause the body temperature to rise:
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Immunizations
- Teething
- Environmental Factors
Managing Fever at Home:
Keeping your child at home and taking proper care will make them healthy again in 2-3 days.
Here are a few things you can do to make things easy for yourself and your child suffering from fever.
Don’t let them dehydrate: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluid so they can overcome dehydration. Simple water or electrolyte solutions can be a good way to manage proper water intake.
Appropriate Dressing: Dress your child in light clothes and use light bedding, as over-dressing might lead to overheating the body. However, you must not expose them to a chilly environment, which could also be dangerous for them.
Medication: If you think your child is feeling immense discomfort, you can administer over-the-counter fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which can alleviate discomfort and reduce fever. Make sure to administer the medicine based on the appropriate dosage according to the child’s health and weight.
Monitor and observe: you must record your child’s temperature. If the fever worsens or your child experiences behavioral changes, it may be time to seek urgent care.
Alarming Symptoms and Conditions
As discussed, fever can be due to many reasons and is often not a concern in children. However, certain symptoms might indicate that your child is prone to a fever due to a serious condition.
Age
Babies under three months must always be taken to the nearest medical center or urgent care clinic for a check-up.
Temperature and Duration
If your child undergoes fever for several days or the temperature is above 104°F (40°C) for several hours, you must get help from a professional doctor.
Behavior changes and other symptoms
Irrespective of age, you should consult a doctor if you think your kid is feeling more sluggish than they could be with a fever. Similarly, if the behavior change is prominent and you can’t justify it with being ill only, it is important to seek medical help from a professional.
In addition, fever accompanied by difficulty breathing, severe headache, persistent vomiting, stiff neck, rash, or signs of dehydration will warrant immediate help from the doctor. It is because, with these symptoms, there are chances that the underlying condition causing fever could be severe.
When to Seek Urgent Care?
You must seek urgent care if:
- The fever constantly remains above 104°F/40°C
- It persists longer than 2-3 days
- Your child has a pre-existing medical condition
- There are other symptoms like breathing difficulty, irritability, and unresponsiveness.
- You aren’t satisfied with your kid’s condition or have the instincts of a parent kicking in.
If you see any one of the above conditions, you must contact a health professional immediately.
Conclusion
Often fever in children is a response to infections. You can manage your kid’s condition at home with proper care and monitoring.
If you have any alarming symptoms or doubts about their condition, you can always seek urgent medical help.
At Family Urgent Care Clinic, we have qualified doctors available to provide you with complete support during medical emergencies. You can always walk in or opt for our telehealth facility to get your little one examined.