Fever is always a worrisome symptom, most so in newborns and young infants. Knowing what fever is and what you can do to help can reduce the anxiety a parent feels. Fever in children is best measured using a dedicated digital thermometer, from the rectum (bottom). If one does this, fever is defined as a temperature of 38 deg C or 100.4 deg F. Temperature measured from the armpit or the fold on the hip is generally half a degree lower (37.5) in the Celsius scale and almost 1 degree lower (99.5) on the Fahrenheit scale. However investing in a rectal thermometer is recommended as this is a more accurate reading relatively unaffected by clothing, dehydration and circulatory problems. Fever is the bodys first line in dealing with infections and is a useful sign. However it causes lethargy, pain (abdominal, headache), loss of appetite and may in some children result in convulsions. So treating fever first off is important. Use appropriate doses of either paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. You may have to give it rectally if a child is vomiting. Give your child plenty of fluids (fever results in loss of water from the body) and dress appropriately (i.e. do not expose skin but dress in fewer layers. Fever that should prompt a call or visit with your paediatrician is 1) Fever in a child 2 months or less, 2) Fever that goes on for 2 or more days, 3) Persistently dull/sick looking child even when fever is down, 4) a child who has a history of convulsions when feverish. Be ready for fever by getting a thermometer and having it handy, saving the telephone number of your paediatrician and having either paracetamol or ibuprofen in an appropriate formulation in your medicine chest.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 05:17:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015