My children were passing the “fever baton” to each other since end of last week. I took them to the clinic and all they needed was a good rest plus the not-so-good taste of antibiotic and fever medicines. I guess the virus or bacteria jumps from one body to another like an active kangaroo..(hmm… I can’t seem to think of any other comparison..haha!)
What causes fever among children?
Fever in Children Overview
Fever remains the most common concern for which parents bring their child to the emergency department. Fever has traditionally been defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4°F or 38.0°C. Temperatures measured at other sites are usually lower. The threshold for defining a fever does vary significantly between different individuals by as much as 1°F.
Fever itself is not life-threatening unless it is extremely and persistently high, such as greater than 107°F (41.6°C) when measured rectally. Fever may indicate the presence of a serious illness, but usually a fever is caused by common infections which are not serious. The part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls body temperature. The hypothalamus increases the body's temperature as a way to fight the infection. However, many conditions other than infections may cause a fever.
Causes of fever include the following:
- bacterial infections,
- viral infections,
- medications,
- illicit drugs, and
- heat illnesses.
When to Seek Medical Care (aka..when to start panicking!!!)
You should call your child's doctor if any of the following are present with fever.
- Your child is younger than 6 months of age since birth (regardless of prematurity).
- You are unable to control the fever.
- You suspect your child may become dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, or not drinking (sunken eyes, dry diapers, tented skin, unarousable, etc.).
- You have been to your child's doctor, and your child is now getting worse or new symptoms have developed.
Although you may have done your best to care for your child, sometimes it is smart to take your child to the emergency department. Your child's doctor may meet you there, or your child may be evaluated and treated by the emergency doctor.
You should take your child to an emergency clinic when any of the following happen:
- You have serious concerns and are unable to contact your child's doctor.
- You suspect your child is dehydrated.
- A seizure occurs.
- Your child has a purple or red rash.
- A change in consciousness occurs.
- Your child's breathing is shallow, rapid, or difficult.
- Your child is younger than 2 months of age.
- Your child has a headache that will not go away.
- Your child continues to vomit.
- Your child has complex medical problems or takes prescription medications on a chronic basis (medications ordered for more than two weeks' duration).
From my personal experience:
Do not cover your children with heavy clothes, or blanket when the body temperature is very high. Less clothings or loose ones are advised (to release the heat). Give them a bath even in the middle of the night to reduce the body heat.
Give the older children 100 plus tonic drink, for energy booster.
Don’t ever let the temperature of your younger children goes up to 40 deg. Celcius …very dangerous, my uncle lost his hearings because of this! And that is the only ”minor” effects, yah!
Well, I am not a doctor..but at least I know what to do before taking them to the clinic and so far so good…hehe…any more tips to share?
No comments:
Post a Comment