We are still in the middle of a wave of viruses. And those who tend to suffer the most are children because of the continuous contact between them in schools and nurseries.
The first warning sign of an infection is fever, which is nothing more than the elevation of normal body temperature, or what is the same, having “more than 38º C if measured in the rectum or more than 37, 5º C if measured in the armpit, explain the pediatricians of .
At the moment of looking at the thermometer and seeing that the child has a fever, some doubts may arise regarding how to proceed. Do we apply a warm bath? Shall we give them an antipyretic? Should we go to the doctor immediately?
In order to answer some of these questions, specialists from the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya clarify some questions about fever in children and provide recommendations to proceed in these cases.
Basic questions about fever
The first thing that the Catalan hospital specialists want to do is clarify some issues about fever. The first thing is that despite what we may believe, having a fever is not always bad. And it is that when an infection occurs “the body produces more heat (fever) to fight against it.”
So they recommend parents not to worry, because the fever itself does not cause damage unless it equals or exceeds 42ºC.
Another important issue, antipyretics do not cure the infection, they only help the child feel better. And finally, pediatricians remember that sometimes the cause of the fever does not appear until after 24 or 48 hours.
The child has a fever, how to treat it at home?
That the child is duller than normal, that he complains, or that he cries may be a sign that he has a fever. In this situation, pediatricians recommend:
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In the first place, if we believe that the child may have a fever, it is best to put the thermometer on him, and not put his hand on his forehead to find out.
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Secondly, specialists warn that “it is not necessary to lower the fever in all circumstances, only if the child is upset. This generally occurs from 38-38.5ºC”.
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Once the thermometer indicates an excess of body temperature, the child should not be overdressed. It is best to maintain a comfortable room temperature.
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to the minor For this you have to offer him liquids, always without forcing him.
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Use the doses of antipyretics recommended by the pediatrician, respecting the intervals between doses, also when the fever appears before the recommended hours are met. And it is better to take the drug orally, and not in suppositories.
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You should not alternate medications to treat fever (paracetamol-), unless the pediatrician indicates it.
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Although baths with lukewarm water only lower the fever a little, they can be done as an aid to antipyretics. What experts do not recommend in any case are alcohol or cold water compresses.
When should we go to the emergency room?
Once many things have been clarified, one last matter must be taken into account and that is when should I start worrying about the child’s fever? Well, specialists recommend going to an emergency center in the following cases:
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If the child is less than 3 months old.
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If the child is excessively sleepy, listless or, conversely, very irritable.
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If you have had a seizure for the first time.
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If you complain of a severe headache and vomit several times.
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If the child is breathing hard.
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When red spots appear on the skin that do not disappear when pressed.
To quickly detect the symptoms, the child must be observed even during the night. For this it is necessary to have him with little clothing, with which we also manage to lower his temperature.
And one last recommendation. Although there are no warning signs that make us go to the emergency room, it is necessary to go to the pediatrician. Thus, the evolution of the child will be supervised and a source of fever that may not have initially manifested can be detected.