What to do if a child has a fever. A high temperature in a child is the main recommendations for parents. In this process, such stages are distinguished
The first question that parents ask themselves when a child's well-being changes is "what is the baby's temperature?" And what it should be in the norm.Let's figure it out so that next time we do not grab a convulsively escaping child with, in fact, normal, temperature and do not rush to all the doctors.
How is it in medicine? Once you have come, you need to be treated. Is there anything to treat?
First, you need to understand the concept of a norm. And how, in fact, we will define this norm.
Body temperature is one of the indicators of the body's vital activity, which depends on many physiological processes (or, in other words, metabolism). The maintenance of optimal body temperature and its change under certain conditions is provided by the thermoregulation system, the center of which is located in the hypothalamus. It regulates the balance between the formation of heat in the body and its loss, that is, between heat production and heat transfer.
A child is born with an imperfect thermoregulatory system. Newborns and children under 3 months of age cannot maintain a constant body temperature and are sensitive to fluctuations in ambient temperature - both indoors and outdoors. Therefore, with improper care, rapid overheating or hypothermia of the baby can occur.
In some newborns, on the 3-5th day of life, a rise in temperature to 38-39 ° C is observed, since they cannot cope with temperature regulation in the process of adapting to existence outside the mother's womb. There is no need to be afraid of this, this condition goes away without treatment. By the age of three months, the baby develops a system of thermoregulation, the formation of circadian rhythms of body temperature begins. The minimum temperature is observed late at night and closer to the morning, approximately 4-6 in the morning, the maximum - in the afternoon, evening hours, from about 16 to 18 hours.
When measuring the temperature of a child, you need to know that the temperature of different parts of the body varies significantly. In order to navigate the temperature indicators obtained by various measurement methods, you must always keep in mind that the temperature in the armpit is 0.3-0.6 ° C, and in the mouth, 0.2-0.3 ° C lower than in the rectum.
Normal baby body temperature:
In the armpits 36-37 ° C
Rectal (in the rectum) 36.9-37.4 ° C
Oral (in the mouth) 36.6-37.2 ° C
In addition, there are individual fluctuations in normal body temperature from 35 ° C to 38.3 ° C, which do not require therapeutic measures (provided that there are no signs of the disease).
Fever (fever), which is not a sign of illness, can reach 38.3 ° C.
It can be caused by:
1. overheating of the child with excessive wrapping or exposure to direct sunlight; violation of the drinking regime (especially in children under 3 months);
2. constipation;
3. high physical activity; anxiety of a toddler of an early age.
4. physical stress (prolonged screaming, crying);
5. Teething;
6. Constitutional features.
How to measure the temperature correctly?
A mercury medical thermometer, an electronic thermometer and a temperature indicator are used to measure body temperature in infants. Nowadays, there are also new convenient tools, such as nipple thermometers.
With a mercury thermometer, the temperature is measured only in the armpit. For this, they take the child in their arms, place the thermometer under his arm and fix the child's handle with their hand, holding the thermometer so that it does not slip out. It is better to perform this procedure while sitting on the sofa (and not on a chair) so that the thermometer does not break in the event of a fall. To obtain objective results, it is enough to hold the thermometer for 3-5 minutes. After completing the temperature measurement, the thermometer should be shaken or held under running cold water.
The electronic thermometer is safer and easier to handle. It gives fast and accurate readings that are displayed in the display window. It is not used to accurately measure the temperature in the armpit, since this type of thermometer requires closer contact with the body to take readings, but it is indispensable for measuring oral and rectal temperatures. Although recently, electronic thermometers have appeared that are able to accurately measure the temperature in the armpit or in the ear, and in just a few seconds.
Their peculiarity is that a round rubber suction cup serves as the tip of the thermometer, and not a narrow metal rod. To measure oral temperature, an electronic thermometer is placed in the mouth under the tongue for 1 minute (most electronic thermometers beep when the temperature has been measured). To measure rectal temperature, you need to lubricate the tip of the thermometer with baby cream or petroleum jelly, put the baby on the back, raise his legs with one hand (as when washing), with the other hand carefully insert the thermometer into the anus to a depth of about 1-2 cm (it is advisable to read the instructions for the thermometer , since the depth of insertion may depend on its design). Then you need to fix the thermometer between the middle and forefinger, and hold the baby's buttocks with the other fingers.
The temperature indicator is a strip with heat-sensitive squares or graduations with digital markings. When measuring the temperature, the squares change color sequentially. The last square that changed its color and the corresponding digital value denote the body temperature. The indicator strip is applied to the child's forehead for 15 seconds (sometimes there are strips that should be placed under the tongue - so be sure to read the instructions before using the indicator!). The indicator strip does not give accurate results, therefore, an increase in temperature can be reliably judged only when the indicator shows 37.5 ° C and above.
In order to correctly evaluate the results of temperature measurements, you need to know what temperature is normal for your child. And in order to determine this, you need to measure it in a calm atmosphere in the morning and in the evening with a healthy child (if it is a baby, it is better to do this with a sleeping child) and remember the indicators. After you have fixed "your" norm, never measure the temperature of a healthy child for no reason, "just in case." And even when the child is sick, you should not do it more often than prescribed. Each temperature measurement procedure disturbs the child, contributes to the formation of a negative reaction to the thermometer.
How to suspect a child's fever and roughly estimate it?
Young children may react differently to an increase in body temperature. Their reaction will depend, first of all, on the cause of the rise in temperature.
Signs of an elevated temperature can be:
lethargy or anxiety;
-thirst;
- dryness of the mucous membranes (lips, tongue);
-increased heart rate; increased breathing;
- a bright blush on the face, "flaming" cheeks (and sometimes, on the contrary, pallor);
- red, inflamed or too shiny eyes; chills;
-sweating.
An increase in heart rate and breathing are important signs of a rise in temperature, so you need to be able to evaluate your heart rate and respiration rates.
The normal pulse of a child under one year old is 100-130 beats per minute during sleep and 140-160 during wakefulness. When crying, the pulse is 160-200 beats per minute. As the child grows up, the pulse slows down and by the age of two it is usually 100-140 beats. As for the respiratory rate, newborns usually take from 40 to 60 breaths per minute, one-year-old children - only 25-30. You need to know that some children do not react at all to an increase in temperature.
If you suspect a rise in temperature, try first of all to touch your cheek to the child's forehead (do not evaluate the temperature with your lips or palm). If you feel that your forehead is hotter than usual, you should measure the temperature with one of the thermometers described above.
The most common disorder of thermoregulation in children is fever (hyperthermia).
Hyperthermia is an abnormal increase in body temperature above 37 ° C, most often as a result of an illness. This is a very common symptom, and any mother can suspect from it that something is wrong with the baby. And usually, when the temperature rises, mothers begin to unreasonably give the child antipyretic drugs. It is good if it is paracetamol, and not analgin, which is contraindicated for children, or even worse aspirin.
Elevated temperatures are: low (37.2-38 ° C), medium (38-40 ° C) and high (over 40 ° C).
Body temperature above 42.2 ° C leads to loss of consciousness. If it does not subside, then brain damage occurs.
In addition to the value itself (or numbers), the duration of hyperthermia is also taken into account: short (less than three weeks) or protracted. Prolonged hyperthermia can be observed with an increase in temperature for unknown reasons, when a thorough study cannot provide an explanation of its causes. Infants and young children have a high fever for longer periods of time, with larger fluctuations and a faster rise in temperature than older children and adults.
Possible causes of hyperthermia.
If the temperature rises above normal, be sure to call the pediatrician at home to find out the possible cause of hyperthermia. Before the arrival of the doctor, it is advisable, if possible, not to give any drugs to the baby. Remember, an increase in temperature above 39-39.5 ° C is a reason for immediate hospitalization or at least at least calling an ambulance.
Infectious and inflammatory diseases are the most common cause of fever in childhood.
In childhood, most diseases are caused by viruses. There is still no universal remedy for these pathogens. Except for one thing - high temperature! Countless studies show that high temperatures strongly inhibit the growth of viruses, as well as certain types of bacteria. Moreover, at high temperatures in the body, interferon is produced, an autogenous protective substance against viruses, and enzymes are released that can inhibit their reproduction. The production of so-called immunoglobulins also increases.
In addition, at temperatures above 38.5 ° C, many viruses multiply much less actively. The most common viruses are influenza, parahippus, RS virus, adenovirus, with which the child has to meet regularly - most often in the form of an upper respiratory tract infection - until school age.
As a rule, such diseases are relatively harmless and go away on their own after three to seven days. Less commonly, bacteria or fungi are the cause of the rise in temperature. It happens that the temperature rises in children after vaccinations - it is caused by weakened pathogens that are used in vaccines.
Most often, a feverish state is accompanied by various childhood infections (measles, rubella, mumps, etc.), colds (ARVI), intestinal infections, inflammatory diseases of the ear, throat, nose, lungs, kidneys, etc.
Thus, high temperature is an important warning signal, but in itself it is not dangerous. Therefore, if a child has a temperature that he tolerates without any special problems, there is no reason to use all the means to lower it. The main recommendation: you should treat the disease itself, and not seek a decrease in the thermometer readings!
In any case, the cause of the fever should be eliminated if possible. When overheating, you need to take the child to a cooler place, remove excess clothes from him, and give him water. In case of violation of the drinking regime, it is necessary to ensure that the child receives a sufficient amount of liquid. In the absence of a chair for a long time, cleansing enemas, gas tubes are used. When crying, it is necessary to establish its cause and eliminate it. In unclear cases, it is better to seek medical help.
Well, the best thing is to avoid situations when the body temperature rises at all. Therefore, the child should be dressed appropriately for the ambient temperature, in the summer, be in the shade of trees or under awnings. It is necessary to observe the diet, drinking, hardening. There is also a group of diseases that can cause a child's fever. These are hypoxic, traumatic, inflammatory and hereditary lesions of the central nervous system.
Speaking about diseases, it should be noted that the height of the temperature does not always correspond to the severity of the disease. In general, an increase in temperature in itself is not a disease, but a way of fighting the body against it.
This is especially true for infectious diseases. However, in babies, the protective functions are not yet perfect, therefore, children react to the disease in different ways: the temperature can rise strongly or moderately, remain normal or even decrease.
How to respond to a child's fever?
The main thing is not to be nervous, the nervousness of the parents aggravates the condition of the little patient. An increase in temperature due to any disease clearly requires a doctor's consultation. Temperatures that do not rise above 38 ° C usually do not need to be lowered.
A higher temperature, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, a violation of the child's behavior, as a rule, requires a decrease. Certainly requires a decrease in temperature above 38.5 ° C in all children under one year old and above 38 ° C in children with a history of seizures or other lesions of the central nervous system.
However, the final verdict on the issue of lowering the temperature always rests with the doctor.
Parents should prepare the following information for the doctor's appointment:
- their assumptions about the cause of the fever;
- a list of used medicinal and non-medicinal methods of lowering the temperature with an assessment of their effectiveness;
- a sheet with numbers of the measured temperature indicating the method and time of its measurement.
If you did not have the opportunity to immediately seek medical help and the doctor must come not on the first day of illness, write down the temperature of all the previous days. Measure it 3 times a day at regular intervals, preferably at the same hours. If the temperature figures vary greatly during the day, you can measure the temperature every 3 hours. In addition, to assess the effectiveness of drugs, the temperature should be measured 30-40 minutes after their use.
When do you need to call a doctor immediately?
In the following cases, a child under the age of one year needs an urgent examination by a pediatrician or an ambulance doctor:
- An increase in temperature is observed in a child under 3 months of age.
- The temperature in the armpit is above 38 ° C. If you cannot call your local pediatrician (for example, on weekends or holidays, at a late hour), and the temperature rises above 38.5 ° C, you need to call an emergency or ambulance. If you find your child has a high temperature, try measuring it again in a calm environment after 20-30 minutes. If the thermometer reading remains the same, call your doctor.
- Convulsions appear (the body is tense, the eyes roll back, twitching of the limbs is visible, the skin may turn pale), or the child has had seizures before (that is, the temperature has increased against the background of seizures).
- The baby's neck seems tense, and he does not allow the chin to bend to the chest.
- An increase in temperature is accompanied by noisy, frequent, arrhythmic breathing, a severe runny nose.
- The child is constantly crying or has become unusually lethargic, apathetic.
- The child refuses to eat for more than 6 hours in a row.
- The child has vomiting or diarrhea.
- The child does not urinate for a long time, or the color of his urine is changed.
- The child has a skin rash.
- The methods you are using to lower the temperature do not give the desired effect.
- The child has a chronic illness.
The younger the child, the sooner a doctor should see him. After all, the success of treatment depends on its timely appointment. And only a doctor can decide what to do first: lower the temperature or treat the cause of its rise.
Rules for caring for a febrile child
First of all, it is necessary to create conditions for the flow of fresh air into the room where the child is. To do this, the room must be periodically ventilated (the child should be taken out for this time). In the children's room, the air temperature should be 18-22 ° C, during sleep 17-20 ° C. Central heating is preferred, since electric heaters dry the air. When the temperature rises, it is necessary to refrain from sleeping in the air and walking. A feverish child should not be wrapped in a blanket, use plastic mats and mattress covers. Daily bathing of the child should not be stopped, but the temperature should not be lower than 36-37 ° C.
There is no need to worry if the child is reluctant to eat and little during illness. You can't force feed him. Frequent small meals are the best option. Drinking is the most important thing for a sick child, so it is necessary to drink it as often as possible. It is necessary to protect the child's sleep. You can't wake him up to feed him or measure his temperature: during an illness, sleep is more important to him than food.
Non-medicinal ways to lower the temperature
To lower the temperature in young children, rubbing with a sponge moistened with warm water is effective. When rubbing, the baby's skin cools due to the evaporation of moisture from its surface. It is better to start rubdown from the face, neck, then you should go to the arms, legs and torso. Rubbing with alcohol or cold water should not be carried out - this causes a rapid decrease in skin temperature and vasospasm, which leads to a decrease in heat transfer and, accordingly, an increase in temperature. If the temperature rise is accompanied by chills, the child can be covered warmly. Drinking plenty of fluids also helps to reduce the temperature. It is clear that you will not be able to convince the baby to drink more, therefore, you should more and more persistently offer him your favorite herbal tea, juice, etc. When sweating, it is necessary to change linen (underwear and bedding) more often.
Be sure to follow the rules for caring for a febrile child.
Medicinal ways to lower the temperature
To reduce fever in children under one year old, drugs are used, the active ingredient of which is paracetamol. These are such drugs as Panadol, Tylenol, Efferalgan, etc. (when you buy an antipyretic drug, pay attention to the packaging: next to the trade name of the drug in smaller, often Latin letters, the name of the active substance should be written - that is, the component that has a therapeutic effect). The most acceptable for babies are candles, syrups, drops, solutions.
Recently, preparations of another group that do not contain paracetamol have also found widespread use - viburcol (suppositories), hexapnevmin (suppositories, syrup). It is not recommended to use aspirin as an antipyretic agent - it often gives complications in young children.
Do not mix medicines into formula milk or drink.
And most importantly, parents should know about medication to combat fever, especially in children under 3 months of age: ONLY A DOCTOR SHOULD PRESCRIBE MEDICINES AND THEIR DOSES!
Respectfully yours, Alena Paretskaya,
Pediatrician, Hepatitis B and Nutrition Consultant,
member of AKEV,
Project Manager Children's Doctor
Good day, young mothers and fathers!
All parents always want to see their beloved baby cheerful and healthy. But sometimes such difficult days come when he suddenly becomes sad, lethargic, pale, capricious, refuses to eat ....
At the very first signs of mild malaise in the baby, we always touch the baby's forehead and try to measure his temperature. And this is certainly correct! What to do when the child has a temperature of 38?
Some mothers, seeing the number 38 on the thermometer, begin to cry, while others fall into a state of "stupor".
Not all parents know how to do the right thing when a baby has a high fever.
Let's deal with this problem together.
- causative agents of viral infections
- causative agents of bacterial infections
- overheat
- heatstroke
- teething of the first teeth in children under 1 year old
- intestinal infections (dysentery, salmonellosis)
- neuroinfections (meningitis, encephalitis)
- insect bites
- reaction to vaccine prophylaxis (vaccinations against whooping cough or measles, influenza)
- childhood infections (measles, chickenpox, scarlet fever)
- consequences of nervous excitement
- intracranial injury
- tumor processes
- urinary tract infections
- endocrine diseases
- taking certain medications
As we can see, there are a lot of reasons that can cause a fever in a child. The correct diagnosis can only be made by a pediatrician after a thorough examination of the patient and additional examinations.
What is the child sick with?
Very rarely, an increase in temperature in babies up to 38 degrees occurs without symptoms.
In acute respiratory diseases, the child's body temperature rises sharply to high numbers.
Influenza and SARS, as a rule, are accompanied by a runny nose and cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, lacrimation. When examining the baby draws, you can see nasal congestion or snot, redness of the back of the pharynx. In these cases, hyperthermia lasts for several days (on average, 3-4 days).
If the baby's first milk teeth are being cut, then he is very restless, cries, the gums are swollen, the throat is not red. Some babies may have diarrhea (2-3 times) during teething.
Heatstroke
During the summer holidays, a lot of young mothers take their children to the sea at the age of one. It is very common to see babies in strollers on planes flying to Turkey and Egypt.
Modern moms do not want to keep up with life on maternity leave and try to travel with their babies around the world. But very often such a vacation can turn into a tragedy.
Young children are not yet perfect thermoregulatory systems, they easily overheat. Increased sun exposure can simply burn the baby's delicate skin. With heat and sunstroke, a child may experience nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases - loss of consciousness, depression of cardiac and respiratory activity.
A newborn can overheat in a stuffy room, in the summer, dressed in a large number of diapers.
Tactics of parents at a high temperature in a child
- Call a doctor urgently
- According to most pediatricians, it is not recommended to lower the body temperature to 38.5 degrees with medications, because the child's body turns on its defense mechanisms, produces antibodies and thus fights the infection itself
- Parents should ventilate the room more often, exclude sound and light stimuli
- Limit the number of adults and young children around the sick child
- Give the baby a plentiful drink (boiled water, raspberry compote, raisins, chamomile tea)
- If your baby is breastfeeding, offer him the breast or give him a few drops of expressed milk, which contains beneficial immunoglobulins and antibodies
- Do not apply ice to the child's head or do enemas with cold water
- It is necessary to feed the child with easily digestible food (vegetable puree)
- If the baby is very lethargic and pale, then you can give him an antipyretic drug in the form of a candle or in syrup
- Rubbing the skin with warm water (you cannot use diluted vinegar or vodka, as you can dry the baby's delicate skin and cause toxic poisoning).
What if the child has fever for several days?
When the child's temperature rises to 38 degrees, many parents begin to panic, especially if it lasts for 2-3 days.
In this situation, it is necessary to understand that the baby's resources are not unlimited, and more effective measures must be taken. The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antiviral drugs to the baby.
Why is high temperature dangerous?
Hyperthermia in infants can provoke seizures. You must always remember that if a baby, in addition to temperature, has vomiting and diarrhea, this can lead to rapid dehydration of the child's body and the consequences can be unpredictable.
If a baby at the age of 1 month has an increase in temperature up to 38 degrees, which lasts for several days, and there are no clinical symptoms of diseases, then he is shown hospitalization in an infectious diseases hospital, where a thorough examination and treatment will be carried out.
Young parents always have many questions about the correct upbringing and health of the baby. You can find a lot of useful information in special literature and video courses. Webinar “Hardening. Treatment of acute conditions (runny nose, cough, etc.) by non-drug methods " can help you with this.
A high fever in a child is the most common complaint with which mothers turn to a pediatrician. When such a situation arises in the family, panic often arises, especially if the child is very small. It is important to know the rules for lowering the temperature and learn to understand when emergency medical intervention is needed.
In the first few days of life, the body temperature of a newborn may be slightly elevated (37.0-37.4 C in the armpit). By the year it is established within the normal range: 36.0-37.0 degrees C (more often 36.6 degrees C). Elevated body temperature (fever) is the body's general defense response to illness or injury.
But I want to note right away that you should not self-medicate !!! It is important! Situations are different, in this regard, I decided to write such an important review, but everything that will be said below is only for your personal acquaintance, you need to know so that there is no panic. EVEN IF THE CHILD'S TEMPERATURE IS HIGH - CALL A DOCTOR AND ACCEPT THE DOCTOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS!
In modern medicine, fever is distinguished due to infectious diseases and non-infectious causes(lesions of the central nervous system, neuroses, mental disorders, hormonal diseases, burns, trauma, allergic diseases, etc.).
Infectious fever is the most common. It develops in response to action pyrogens(from the Greek pyros - fire, pyretos - heat) - substances that increase body temperature. Pyrogens are subdivided into exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal). Bacteria, getting into the body, actively multiply and in the process of their vital activity various toxic substances are released. Some of them, which are external pyrogens (supplied to the body from the outside), are capable of increasing the temperature of the human body. Internal pyrogens are synthesized directly by the human body itself (leukocytes - blood cells, liver cells) in response to the introduction of foreign agents (bacteria, etc.).
In the brain, along with the centers of salivation, respiratory, etc. there is a center of thermoregulation, "tuned" to a constant temperature of internal organs. During illness, under the influence of internal and external pyrogens, thermoregulation "switches" to a new, higher temperature level. An increased temperature in infectious diseases is a protective reaction of the body. Against its background, interferons, antibodies are synthesized, the ability of leukocytes to absorb and destroy foreign cells is stimulated, the protective properties of the liver are activated.
In most infections, the maximum temperature is set in the range of 39.0-39.5 C. Due to the high temperature, microorganisms reduce the rate of their reproduction, lose their ability to cause disease.
How to correctly measure the temperature of a child?
It is advisable that the baby has his own personal thermometer. Remember to wipe it down with alcohol or warm soapy water before each use. To find out what values are normal for your baby, take his temperature when he is healthy and calm. It is advisable to measure it under the armpit and in the rectum. Do this in the morning, afternoon and evening. If the baby is sick, measure the temperature three times a day: morning, afternoon and evening. Every day at about the same time throughout the illness, this is especially important for children at risk. Record the measurement results. According to the temperature diary, the doctor can judge the course of the disease. Do not measure temperature under a blanket (if a newborn is wrapped tightly, its temperature may rise dramatically). Do not measure the temperature if the baby is scared, crying, overly excited, let him calm down. The safest is an electronic thermometer.
In what areas of the body can the temperature of a child be measured?
Temperature can be measured in the armpit, groin, and rectum, but not in the mouth. An exception is temperature measurement with a dummy thermometer. Rectal temperature (measured in the rectum) is approximately 0.5 degrees C above the oral temperature (measured in the mouth) and one degree above the axillary or inguinal. For the same child, this range can be quite large.
For example: the normal temperature in the armpit or groin fold is 36.6 degrees C; normal temperature, measured in the mouth, 37.1 degrees C; the normal temperature measured in the rectum is 37.6 degrees C. A temperature slightly higher than the generally accepted norm may be an individual feature of the baby. Evening readings are usually higher than morning ones by a few hundredths of a degree. The temperature can rise due to overheating, emotional excitement, increased physical activity. Measuring the temperature in the rectum is convenient only for young children. A five to six month old baby will deftly wriggle out and will not let you do this. In addition, this method can be unpleasant for the child.
An electronic thermometer is most suitable for measuring rectal temperature, which allows you to do this very quickly: you will receive the result in just one minute. So, take a thermometer (pre-shake the mercury one to below 36 degrees C), lubricate its tip with baby cream. Put the baby on the back, lift his legs (as if you were washing him), with the other hand carefully insert the thermometer into the anus about 2 cm.Fix the thermometer between two fingers (like a cigarette), and squeeze the baby's buttocks with the other fingers.
In the groin and in the armpit, the temperature is measured with a glass mercury thermometer. You will receive the result in 10 minutes. Shake the thermometer to below 36.0 degrees C. Wipe dry the skin in the folds, as the moisture cools the mercury. To measure the temperature in the groin, place the baby on the barrel. If you are taking measurements under his armpit, sit him on your knees or hold him in your arms and walk around the room with him. Place the thermometer so that the tip is entirely in the skin fold, then with your hand press the baby's handle (leg) to the body.
What temperature should be reduced?
If your child is sick and has a fever, be sure to call a doctor who will diagnose, prescribe treatment and explain how to carry it out. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), initially healthy children should not lower their temperature below 39.0-39.5 degrees C. The exception is children at risk who previously had convulsions against a background of fever, children in the first two months of life (at this age, all diseases are dangerous due to their rapid development and a sharp deterioration in the general condition), children with neurological diseases, chronic diseases of the circulatory system, respiration, with hereditary metabolic diseases. Such babies, already at a temperature of 37.1 degrees C, should immediately be given antipyretic drugs. In addition, if the child's condition has worsened against the background of a temperature that has not reached 39.0 degrees C, chills, muscle pains, pallor of the skin are noted, then antipyretic drugs should be taken immediately.
In addition, fever exhausts and depletes the body's capabilities and can be complicated by hyperthermic syndrome (a variant of fever in which there is a violation of the functions of all organs and systems - convulsions, loss of consciousness, impaired respiratory and cardiac activity, etc.). This condition requires urgent medical attention.
How to lower the temperature in a child?
- Keep your child cool. It is dangerous to keep a child with a high temperature warm with blankets, warm clothes, or a heater in the room. These measures can result in thermal shock if the temperature rises to a dangerous level. Dress the sick child lightly so that the excess heat goes away without hindrance and maintain the temperature in the room at 20-21 degrees C (if necessary, you can use an air conditioner or a fan without directing the air stream to the child).
- Since the loss of fluid through the skin increases at high temperatures, the baby should be given plenty of water. Older children should be offered diluted fruit juices and juicy fruits, water as often as possible. Babies should be breastfed or given water more often. Encourage frequent drinking a little (from a teaspoon), but do not rape the child. If the child refuses to take liquid for several hours a day, inform the doctor about it.
- Rubdown. It is used as an adjunct in combination with other measures to reduce fever or in the absence of antipyretic drugs. Rubdown is indicated only for those children who have not previously had seizures, especially against a background of fever, or no neurological diseases. For rubbing, use warm water, the temperature of which is close to body temperature. Cool or cold water or alcohol (once used for antipyretic rubdowns) can cause not a decrease, but an increase in temperature and provoke tremors, which tells the "bewildered" body that it is necessary not to reduce, but to increase the release of heat. It is also harmful to inhale alcohol vapors. Using hot water also raises body temperature and, like wrapping, can cause heatstroke. Before starting the procedure, dip three rags into a bowl or basin of water. Place an oilcloth on your bed or on your lap, a terry towel on top of it, and a baby on top of it. Undress your baby and cover him with a sheet or diaper. Wring out one of the rags so that no water drips from it, fold it up and place it on your child's forehead. When the cloth dries, it should be wetted again. Take a second cloth and begin to gently rub the baby's skin from the periphery to the center. Pay special attention to the feet, legs, popliteal folds, groin folds, hands, elbows, armpits, neck, face. Blood that rushes to the surface of the skin with gentle friction will be cooled by the evaporation of water from the surface of the body. Continue rubbing the baby, changing the cloths as needed for at least twenty to thirty minutes (this is how long it takes to lower the body temperature). If the water in the basin cools down during the wiping process, add some warm water there.
- You can pre-freeze water in small bubbles and, after wrapping them in a diaper, apply to areas where large vessels are located: inguinal, axillary areas.
- Use of antipyretic drugs. The drugs of choice for fever in children are PARACETAMOL and IBUPROFEN (trade names for these drugs can be very diverse). It is recommended to prescribe IBUPROFEN in cases where paracetamol is contraindicated or ineffective. A longer and more pronounced decrease in temperature was noted after using IBUPROFEN than after PARACETAMOL. AMIDOPIRINE, ANTIPYRINE, FENACETIN are excluded from the list of antipyretics due to their toxicity.Acetylsalicylic acid (ASPIRIN) is prohibited for use in children under 15 years of age... The widespread use of METAMIZOL (ANALGIN) as an antipyretic is not recommended by WHO, because it inhibits hematopoiesis, can cause serious allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock). Long-term loss of consciousness is possible with a decrease in temperature to 35.0-34.5 degrees C. The appointment of METAMIZOL (ANALGIN) is possible only in cases of intolerance to the drugs of choice or, if necessary, intramuscular injection, which should only be carried out by a doctor.
When choosing the form of the medicine (liquid medicine, syrup, chewable tablets, suppositories), it should be borne in mind that drugs in solution or syrup act after 20-30 minutes, in candles - after 30-45 minutes, but their effect is longer. Candles can be used in a situation where the child vomits while taking fluids or refuses to drink the medicine. It is better to use suppositories after a child's bowel movement, it is convenient to insert them at night.
Medicines in the form of sugary syrups or chewable tablets can be allergic to aromas and other additives. The active substances themselves can also cause an allergic reaction, so you need to be especially careful at the first doses.
If you are giving medication to your child, especially age-specific dosage, you should read the instructions carefully so as not to exceed the recommended dosage. Be aware that the doctor may change the dosage for your child.
When using alternately different forms of the same medicine (suppositories, syrups, chewable tablets), it is necessary to summarize all the doses received by the child in order to avoid an overdose. Re-use of the drug is possible no earlier than 4-5 hours after the first dose and only if the temperature rises to high values.
The effectiveness of one or another antipyretic agent is individual and depends on the particular child.
What not to do if your child has a fever.
- Do not force your baby to lie down. A really sick child will be in his own crib. If your baby wants to get out of it, it is quite possible to allow him to do something calm. Try to avoid excessive activity: this can lead to a rise in temperature.
- Do not give your child an enema unless the doctor specifically prescribed it.
- Do not dress or cover your child too warmly.
- Do not cover your baby with a wet towel or wet sheet, as this can interfere with the transfer of heat through the skin.
When is it necessary to call the doctor to see the baby again?
- Measured, the temperature in the armpit is 39.0-39.5 degrees C, the rectal temperature exceeded 40.0 degrees C.
- The child had seizures for the first time (the body is tense, the eyes roll back, the limbs twitch).
- The child cries inconsolably, cries out in pain when touched or moved, groans, does not respond to external stimuli, or his body is limp.
- The child has purple spots on the skin.
- It is difficult for your child to breathe even after you have cleared his nasal passages.
- The baby's neck seems tense, and he does not allow him to bend his chin to his chest.
- The onset of a heat wave follows exposure to an external heat source, such as the sun on a hot day or in a car in hot weather. Heatstroke is possible, which requires immediate medical attention.
- A sudden rise in temperature occurred in a child with a slightly elevated temperature, but too warmly dressed or wrapped in blankets. Should be treated like heatstroke.
- The doctor told you to report immediately if the child develops a fever.
- It seems to you that the child has something serious, although you are at a loss to say why you decided so.
- The child has exacerbated chronic diseases (heart disease, kidney disease, neurological disease, etc.).
- The child is dehydrated, which can be seen by such signs as: rare urination, dark yellow urine, a small amount of saliva, tears, sunken eyes.
- The child's behavior seems atypical: he is unusually moody, apathetic or overly drowsy, cannot sleep, is sensitive to light, cries more than usual, refuses to eat, tugs at his ears.
- The child had a low temperature for several days, and then suddenly rose sharply, or a child with a cold that arose a few days ago suddenly developed a fever. This fever may indicate a secondary infection, such as otitis media or strep throat.
- The fever does not decrease with medication.
- The temperature of 37.0-38.0 degrees C persists for a long time (more than a week).
- The fever lasts for more than a day without any other signs of illness.
High temperature in a child (38-39 or higher), what should I do? updated: September 11, 2017 by the author: Pavel Subbotin
At the first symptoms of the disease, when the child begins to be capricious, he becomes lethargic, the first thing that parents do is pick up a thermometer. Temperature readings may be different, and not all of the notorious 36.6 can be found. Hence, parents have many questions about normal temperature readings, their increase, and what to do if the temperature goes off scale?
Normal body temperature of the child.
Body temperature indicators depend on many factors, and one of the most important is metabolism. The maintenance of normal numbers is handled by the thermoregulation system, the center of which is in the hypothalamus. It is this system that keeps balance and controls the processes of heat release and its production. In this case, the temperature indicators of the environment are taken into account without fail.
In newborns, the thermoregulation system is not yet perfect, it simply cannot yet fully cope with its functions. This is why babies get overheated or overcooled so easily.
In addition, children in the first three months of life react very sharply to changes in temperature indicators of the environment, and so far they cannot maintain a constant body temperature. Therefore, in some toddlers, in the first week of life, a significant increase in temperature can be recorded up to 38 - 39º. But such a condition should not frighten the parents, it stops independently and quickly.
Already in the third month of a baby's life, the thermoregulation system begins to improve, and circadian rhythms are formed. The minimum low body temperature in a child can be recorded between 4-6 o'clock in the morning, when the baby is deeply asleep. The maximum body temperature is observed between 16-18 hours, when the baby is most active. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the indicators can be different and will depend on the place where the measurements were made.
Temperatures can be measured in the armpit, rectally and orally. Thus, the temperature measured in the armpit is normally 36 - 37º, rectally (in the rectum) 36.9 - 37.4º. But the oral temperature can vary from 36.6 to 37.2 degrees. Such fluctuations in body temperature do not require any therapeutic measures and are considered a normal variant.
Even an increase in body temperature up to 38º can be the result of overheating or a violation of the drinking regime in a small child, i.e. not talking about the disease. Constipation, increased physical activity, etc. can contribute to an increase in temperature.
Symptoms of increased body temperature in a child.
The reaction to an increase in temperature (hyperthermia) will be individual for each child, but almost all babies are characterized by anxiety, the baby becomes lethargic, a blush appears on the cheeks, and the eyes become shiny. Moreover, in children with hyperthermia, the pulse rises and the respiratory rate increases. It is precisely these indicators that you need to be able to correctly assess.
Thus, 140 - 160 beats / min can be considered normal pulse rates in children of the first year of life, with a respiratory rate of 40 - 60 breaths / minute. By the age of one, these indicators are adjusted and are 100 - 140 beats / min, and the respiratory rate is 20 - 30 breaths.
Thermoregulation disorders.
The most popular thermoregulation disorder is hyperthermia. Simply put, the increase in body temperature is more than 37º. As a rule, an increase in body temperature is most often triggered by an infectious process.
In medical practice, a distinction is made between low, medium and high hyperthermia. Indicators of low hyperthermia are considered to be 37.2 - 38º, average 38 - 40º, high hyperthermia is characterized by an increase in body temperature above 40º.
In addition to specific numbers, it is necessary to take into account the duration of hyperthermia: short, which lasts less than three weeks, and protracted, which will last more than three weeks.
What are the reasons for the rise in temperature?
In case of hyperthermia in a child, a doctor's consultation is mandatory, and before his arrival it is advisable not to give any antipyretic drugs, but strictly focusing on the temperature indicators and the child's condition. Hyperthermia at the level of 39 - 39.5º is an indication for hospitalization of the child.
An increase in body temperature in a child is a protective reaction of the body. As mentioned above, most often the reason for the rise in temperature is some kind of infection - viral or bacterial. The best "medicine" for viruses and bacteria that the body can offer is to create unfavorable conditions for the life of pathogens. It has been proven that an increase in body temperature can inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria.
There are cases when a child's temperature rises after vaccinations, and this can be explained by the action of weakened pathogens that are in the vaccine. The child's body works according to the same scenario, regardless of whether the pathogens are weakened or not.
It turns out that body temperature is not only a protective mechanism, but also a warning sign that informs about the danger. And there is no need to immediately give the child drugs to lower the child's body temperature, and thereby prevent the body from fighting the infection on its own.
How to act if the body temperature rises?
Parents should remember one rule - the body temperature, which does not exceed 38º, does not require a decrease. It is necessary to let the body fight the infection on its own. When the temperature rises above these figures, which will be accompanied by other symptoms, measures are required.
In children, it is imperative to bring down hyperthermia above 38.5º, especially in children prone to seizures, or with damage to the central nervous system. Before the doctor comes, the parents will have to collect certain information: what, in the opinion of the parents, is the cause of the temperature rise, the numbers of hyperthermia, what medications were used for stopping, etc.
It is necessary to measure the sick child's temperature at least three times a day, preferably at regular intervals.
In order to make sure of the effectiveness of antipyretic drugs, it is necessary to carry out a control measurement, take the medicine and check the measurement results after half an hour.
When is a doctor urgently needed?
Sometimes it will be enough to consult a district police officer the next day, and sometimes immediate medical attention is required - calling an ambulance. An ambulance is needed when the body temperature rises above 38º in babies under three months of age.
When convulsive readiness appears, single twitching or muscle tension, or if the convulsions have already begun - the child's eyes are rolled, the limbs are twitched - it is also necessary to call an ambulance. Even if the child does not have seizures yet, but had previously, it is necessary to carefully monitor the baby.
Especially alarming signs are an increase in the baby's body temperature, with simultaneous lethargy, but at the same time the baby's neck is tense, and the baby simply cannot reach his chin to the chest in a supine position. These symptoms indicate meningitis. An increase in body temperature with simultaneous noisy breathing and the presence of a runny nose can also be considered an alarming sign.
In addition, an ambulance is needed if the baby refuses to eat for more than 6 hours, or the baby has diarrhea and vomiting. Such symptoms indicate an infectious disease with the possibility of dehydration.
It is worth remembering that the younger the child, the sooner the consultation of a specialist who can make a diagnosis is necessary. In addition, the doctor will indicate whether it is worth quickly removing the temperature, or, first of all, direct all efforts to eliminate the cause of hyperthermia.
How to properly care for a baby with fever?
Most importantly, in the room where the baby is located, there should be inflow of fresh air. It is imperative to ventilate the premises e, and if the parents are afraid of chilling the child, then for the time of airing, the baby can be transferred to another room.
As a rule, most parents are afraid to ventilate the room, especially in the cold season, fearing that the child will freeze and become even more ill. In fact, airing is not scary, only a draft is scary. Ideally, in the room where the child is, the air temperature should be 19 - 22º, and when the baby sleeps even less by a couple of degrees.
Airing will not only provide the child with a portion of clean, fresh air, but will also help humidification of air in the room. This is extremely important for recovery, and even more so during the heating season, when the air in the room is dry. Parents can use special devices - humidifiers, or use the old grandfather's methods - hang wet towels on the batteries, and change them as they dry. With sufficient air humidity, not only the child will recover faster, but also the flowers in the room will begin to grow violently.
With high hyperthermia in a child, it is better to give up walking for a while. And wait until the body temperature drops and the baby gets a little better. When the baby sleeps, it cannot be wrapped in thick blankets, or use different mats on the mattress.
With regards to personal hygiene, then bathing the baby is not only possible, but also necessary, but at the same time the body temperature should not exceed 37.5º, no matter what all the knowledgeable grandmothers who raised this generation, or all-knowing friends say. But besides the indicators of body temperature, it is also necessary to focus on the condition of the child.
Special attention should be paid to the issue of nutrition of the baby during illness and an increase in body temperature. Most toddlers refuse to eat, and don't make him eat by force. It is best to feed your baby in small portions, but often. And the food itself should be of liquid consistency, average temperature indicators. Light food is most preferable, with the complete exclusion of fatty, salty, fried, etc.
The most important is the liquid for a feverish child. The drinking regimen must be followed in full, and parents must strictly monitor the level of fluid they drink. Kids should drink as often as possible in small portions, you can offer non-carbonated mineral water, weak tea, juices, compotes, fruit drinks, etc.
Sleep is very important for a sick child, do not wake him up to feed or measure the temperature. Parents must create all conditions for a comfortable and pleasant sleep, and the temperature of a sleeping child can be measured.
How to bring down the temperature of a child? Drug-free methods.
For small toddlers, wiping with a sponge or towel, previously soaked in warm water, will be most effective. After such procedures, a thin layer of moisture remains on the baby's skin, which evaporates and cools the baby. The procedure begins with wiping the face, followed by a transition to the neck, arms, legs, and only then wipe the child's torso.
Rubbing with cold water with alcohol / vinegar is strictly prohibited - such a procedure will contribute to a rapid decrease in skin temperature, which can provoke vasospasm. As a result, the temperature will not decrease, but, on the contrary, will increase.
You can also use regular drinks to lower the temperature. It is necessary to offer the baby herbal teas, juices, water, etc. as often as possible.
How to lower a child's temperature? Medication methods.
In pediatric practice, paracetamol-based antipyretics are used. The form of the drug - syrup, suppositories, tablets, should be chosen by the parents. Most often, syrups or candles are used for babies. It is strictly forbidden to use aspirin in children as an antipyretic agent. This drug is very common in children.
It is not recommended to mix medicines into milk mixture or various drinks. Fortunately, most children's antipyretic drugs have a pleasant taste. The specific medicine and its dosage will be prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the age of the child, his condition, etc.
Assistant of the Department of Pathological Physiology, Volgograd State Medical University
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Heat body in a child (fever) can be a nonspecific symptom of many diseases. She can talk about acute infectious diseases, teething, overheating, and other conditions. In all these cases, assistance to the child should be different, therefore it is very important to establish the cause of the increase in temperature.
Features of the child's temperature
In the first days and months of a child's life, his body temperature can be very unstable. With any disease, it can rise rapidly.To identify fever in a child, you need to know what temperature is normal for him. To do this, you should measure it at least once in a calm and healthy state. It is better to repeat this procedure in the morning and in the evening, since in the evening hours the temperature is usually 0.3-0.5 o C.
The temperature of a child in the first year of life may be higher than that of older children and adults (as measured in the armpit):
1.
At the age of 1 year, the body temperature is allowed up to 37.4 o C.
2.
A child over 1 year old usually has a temperature of up to 37 o C.
Newborn babies born prematurely keep their body temperature especially bad. Their thermoregulation processes are immature, so it should be remembered that they can not only easily cool, but also overheat.
Body temperature can be measured at several locations. The results of such measurements will vary:
- the temperature measured in the rectum (rectal) will be about 1 o C higher than in the armpit (37.6-38 o C is the norm);
- the temperature measured in the mouth (oral) will be about half a degree higher than in the armpit (37.1-37.6 o C is normal);
- the temperature readings in the armpit and inguinal fold will be approximately the same.
It is usually possible to determine rectal temperature only in a small child up to 4-5 months. Since the procedure is often unpleasant, a 6-month-old child has a high temperature in this way, most likely, it will not be possible to fix because of his resistance to the procedure. It is best to carry out the measurement with an electronic thermometer, the tip of which is lubricated with baby cream. The thermometer is inserted about 2 cm into the rectum, while lifting the child's legs, as if washing.
In the armpit and groin, measurements can be made with a mercury thermometer. Determination of the temperature in the groin is carried out by laying the child on its side. The thermometer is placed so that its tip is completely located in the fold of the skin. Then the hand is pressed against the child's leg to the body. In the armpit, the measurement process is the same as in adults.
Pathologically high temperature, depending on the degree of its increase, is conventionally divided into the following types (according to measurements in the armpit):
1.
Subfebrile (up to 38 o C).
2.
Febrile (above 38 o C).
How to correctly measure the temperature of a small child
Rules for measuring temperature in children:
- the child must have his own personal thermometer, which is treated with warm water and soap or alcohol before each use;
- during illness, the temperature is measured at least three times a day (morning, afternoon, evening);
- the measurement should not be taken when the child is heavily wrapped, crying or overly active;
- high temperature in the room and taking a bath also increase body temperature;
- food and drinks, especially hot ones, can increase the temperature in the oral cavity by 1-1.5 o С, therefore, the measurement in the mouth should be carried out one hour before or one hour after eating;
- determination of temperature can be carried out in the armpit, rectum or inguinal fold - any thermometers; measurement in the mouth is carried out only with the help of special dummy thermometers.
Causes of a high temperature in a child
Normally, an increase in body temperature is a protective reaction of the body to any infectious or non-infectious diseases, damage.Infectious agents entering the body produce toxins that cause an increase in body temperature. The body, in turn, also produces substances that contribute to the onset of fever. This mechanism is protective, since all metabolic processes are accelerated against the background of high temperatures, many biologically active substances are synthesized more intensively. But when the fever becomes too severe, it itself can cause various complications - for example, febrile seizures.
Why does a child have a high fever:
- infectious diseases (ARVI, "children's" and intestinal infections, other pathologies);
- non-infectious diseases (diseases of the nervous system, allergic pathology, hormonal disorders, and others);
- teething (this is one of the most common causes in young children);
- overheat;
- preventive vaccinations.
Features of elevated temperature in some diseases
The high temperature in the child will be accompanied by others symptoms pathology. With various diseases, fever will have its own characteristics.Infectious diseases
Usually, the values of fever in infectious diseases are in the range of 39-39.5 o C. But in some cases the child's temperature rises above 40 o C. This largely depends on the type of infection and the individual characteristics of the child's body. In case of infectious diseases, a high temperature in a child is accompanied by other signs of pathology (cough, nasal congestion, vomiting, upset stools, and others).
Childhood infections are another common cause of fever. For example, in a child with a high fever, an itchy blister rash is a common sign of chickenpox. Children attending preschool institutions are especially susceptible to such infections. For example, a high fever in a 3-year-old child who goes to kindergarten.
Overheat
With overheating, the connection between fever and exposure to a heat source can be clearly noted. For example, a child's high temperature in summer may be associated with prolonged exposure to the sun or in a car in hot weather. Infants can easily overheat when they are dressed in too warm clothes.With a slight fever, the desire of parents to wrap the child warmly can also provoke a rise in body temperature to higher numbers. Overheating is very dangerous due to the likelihood of heatstroke, which requires emergency medical attention.
Heatstroke signs are:
- severe fever after overheating;
- impairment or loss of consciousness;
- convulsions;
- violation of breathing and heartbeat.
Teething
A high temperature in a child during teething is rare. Usually the fever does not exceed 38.5 o C. But in some cases the temperature can rise to very high numbers, accompanied by the child's lethargy, refusal to eat, and anxiety. This fever must be reduced. In a child of 10 months, a high temperature may well be associated with teeth, especially if he actively rubs the gum, is capricious, and at the same time there is increased salivation.Vaccinations
After the prophylactic vaccinations, the high temperature in the child, as a rule, does not last long. It usually rises within a day after vaccination, and can be combined with other symptoms: slight swelling and soreness at the injection site, the child can spare the leg and move less. These signs are a protective reaction of the body to the vaccine and indicate an adequate immune response.If the temperature rises after vaccination, you can give the child an antipyretic agent once, without even waiting for febrile fever numbers. Physical cooling methods can also be used, but wiping is not recommended (especially, do not wet the injection site). If there is no positive trend within 1-2 days, then you should think about another reason for the increase in temperature (for example, the onset of ARVI).
When rubbing, a towel moistened with water is used, which is placed on the forehead. As soon as it dries or heats up, the towel can be dampened again. Also, hands, feet, chest, neck, face are rubbed with water. After wiping off, do not wrap up the child, as the procedure may have the opposite effect. This procedure should not be performed on a child who has ever had convulsions against a background of high fever, or has diseases of the nervous system.
In addition to rubdowns, you can apply ice, wrapped in a diaper, to the axillary, groin areas. However, this method can only be used in older children. Do not get too carried away, as you can get frostbite in the places where ice is applied.
Drinking plenty of fluids should also not be forgotten in case of fever. The loss of fluid through the skin and with respiration at elevated temperatures increases, therefore, its deficiency must be replenished in a timely manner. Also, increased drinking helps to accelerate the elimination of toxic substances from the body. At a high temperature, it can be difficult for a one-year-old child to drink it. If he refuses to drink, you can give him a little liquid, but often.
Small children should be applied to the breast more often, or given regular water, and a six-month-old baby can use herbal teas (fennel, chamomile, linden), diluted juices and fruit drinks. An older child can also be offered compote, diluted juice or tea. Children should be especially actively given to drink with intestinal infection, when the high temperature is accompanied by diarrhea. But don't be too zealous, a large amount of liquid can provoke vomiting.
At high temperatures, do not:
- forcing the child to stay in bed if he does not want to, but it is also impossible to allow excessive activity, as this can lead to an increase in temperature;
- unnecessarily wrapping or covering the child - this prevents the natural release of heat;
- do a cleansing enema if there are no appropriate doctor's recommendations (although this procedure has an antipyretic effect, you should not abuse it and do it yourself);
- use alcohol-containing liquids, warm water for wiping;
- covering the child with a wet sheet or towel, wrapping up after rubdowns - all this can lead to an even greater rise in temperature.
When and how to bring down a high temperature in a child - video
High fever in a child: treatment with medications
You can quickly bring down a high temperature to a child with the use of medicinal antipyretic drugs. In children, drugs based on ibuprofen or paracetamol are approved for use. Medicines can differ in the form of release (tablets, syrups, suppositories for rectal use, powders). Preparations in the form of syrups or suppositories are usually used in young children. For example, when an infant has a temperature above 39 o C, it is convenient to lower it with the help of rectal suppositories.
Some features of the use of various dosage forms:
- drugs taken by mouth begin to act faster - 20-30 minutes after ingestion;
- the effect of suppositories occurs after 30-45 minutes, but lasts longer;
- if the disease is accompanied by vomiting, it is better to use suppositories;
- it is convenient to use medicines in suppositories when the child's temperature rises at night;
- preparations in the form of syrups, tablets and powders contain flavors and flavorings, therefore, they often cause allergic reactions;
- if you need to use different dosage forms of drugs (for example, during the day - syrup, at night - candles), choose products with different active ingredients to avoid side effects;
- reuse of antipyretic drugs is possible no earlier than 5-6 hours after the previous dose; in case of insufficient temperature decrease, or its repeated rise in a short time, you should not experiment - it is better to immediately contact a specialist for additional help.
Some homeopathic remedies can also be used to reduce fever. For example, when a child often has a high fever, so that there are no side effects from frequent use of ibuprofen and paracetamol, they can be combined with homeopathic medicines.
If the fever is accompanied by pallor, coldness of the extremities, then additionally small doses of antispasmodics (No-shpa, papaverine) and antihistamines are given. However, this is done only by a doctor.
At a high temperature in a child, it is impossible to use the same antipyretic drug for a long time. Also, the simultaneous administration of the drug through the mouth and in the form of suppositories is contraindicated. This can lead to an excessive decrease in body temperature, and the occurrence of side effects from the drug.
Medicines not used in children
Medicines that are not used in a child include:1. Currently, drugs such as amidopyrine, antipyrine or phenacetin are not used as antipyretics due to the large number of side effects.
2. Medicines based on acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) are practically not used in children due to their ability to reduce the number of platelets in the blood, cause bleeding, allergic reactions, and also a very serious complication characteristic of children - Reye's syndrome.
3. Analgin and other drugs containing metamizole sodium as an active ingredient also have a large number of side effects, such as inhibition of hematopoiesis, severe allergic reactions, and excessive decrease in temperature with loss of consciousness. These funds are not recommended for use at home.
When do you need to see a doctor?
A doctor should be consulted in any case of a fever in a child or an adult. Only a qualified specialist can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe, in addition to antipyretic drugs, other drugs (cough medicine, vasoconstrictor nasal drops). If necessary, etiotropic therapy is also prescribed, aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease. For example, a high fever associated with the fact that a child has angina requires antibiotics. The following cases require immediate attention to specialists:
- Extremely high numbers of body temperature - more than 39.5-40 o C.
- If the child has a high fever for more than three days, and there is no persistent positive effect during the course of the disease, despite the therapy prescribed by the doctor. It is necessary to correct the prescribed treatment, carry out additional diagnostic procedures (for example, make an X-ray of the lungs, take blood and urine tests).
- When new symptoms appear against the background of the temperature, such as a rash, severe cough, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Deterioration of the child's condition against the background of the beginning of recovery, which may indicate the addition of another infection.
- If the increase in temperature is suspected of being associated with overheating of the child and possible heatstroke.
- The emergence of complications from the prescribed therapy. For example, if a child has an allergic reaction after taking a drug prescribed by a doctor. You should call a specialist to select new medications.
- The child refuses to drink, there are signs of dehydration: dry skin, rare urination, dark urine, and others.
- The presence of severe chronic diseases in a child, the course of which may worsen against the background of severe fever (pathology of the heart, kidneys, nervous system, other diseases).
- If the child has a very high fever, accompanied by refusal to eat, febrile seizures, sharp anxiety and groans, the appearance of a rash, impaired consciousness, unusual behavior, neck swelling, limpness, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, other signs of an extremely serious condition of the child, an urgent need to call the team Ambulance.
The consequences of a high temperature in a child
One of the most common complications of a high fever in a child is febrile seizures. They, as a rule, occur in children under 6 years of age against a background of temperatures above 38 o C. Often such a reaction to fever appears in children with diseases of the nervous system.Signs of febrile seizures in a child:
- convulsive twitching of the muscles, which can be both pronounced (with throwing the head back, bending the arms and straightening the legs), and small, in the form of jerking and twitching of certain muscle groups;
- the child stops responding to the environment, may turn pale and blue, hold his breath;
- often, seizures can recur during subsequent increases in temperature.
- lay the child on a flat surface and turn the head on its side;
- in the absence of breathing after the end of the seizures, start giving the child artificial respiration;
- you should not try to insert a finger into the child's mouth, a spoon or other objects - this will only harm and injure;
- the child should be undressed, the room should be ventilated, rubdowns and antipyretic suppositories should be used to reduce body temperature;
- you can not leave the child alone during the attack.