If your child’s temperature rises, find out the cause before giving him medicine.
The presence of fever in a child is often a cause of concern for parents who often act on their own experience or follow the advice of family or friends before going to the doctor, which can be dangerous.
What is it?
Fever is the temporary rise in body temperature that is no longer normal. A fever is considered when the thermometer reads 37.6º C or more.
Why does it occur?
The main cause is an infectious picture due to bacteria or viruses. Although it can also be due to fungi or parasites. Fever is a defense mechanism of the body that slows bacterial development and facilitates the arrival of defenses (white blood cells) to the infection area.
It may be viral.
A child may have a fever due to a viral illness that lasts from one to two days, that goes away without reaching something more serious and without the need for an antibiotic. In cases like this, only medicine and physical means are used to control it. In many cases it is a sign or warning that something is happening, but not precisely as a result of illness. It can occur in cases such as when a child is long in the sun; or in the presence of allergic symptoms such as hives, such a reaction on the skin increases body temperature.
Care
1. Avoid giving your child medicine on your own. Call the doctor to find out what to do or take him to see him who will review it.
2. Do not bathe it with cold water, because the temperature change will be strong for your body. Better give him a warm bath.
3. Don’t put alcohol on your skin or ice; better use warm water compresses.
4. When your child is already home, check how the fever evolves.
5. Keep him in light clothing, as overcoating can prevent body heat from being released.
6. Try to keep it hydrated, as fever causes loss of fluids.