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BN Doctors’ Lounge: Pyrexia in Children
Few things send parents’ fear skyrocketing like a child’s rising temperature. It’s hard to predict children. A child who was so active all day can get suddenly hot, dull and cranky at night.
A sympthom often experienced when caring for children is Pyrexia commonly known as FEVER. This is usually a pointer that something is wrong. While a lot of parents may know what to do once this occurs, others may be unsure.
Fever may seem subtle and common but can come with complications. What is done in the nick of time would make a difference to the outcome and the health of the child.
What is a Fever?
Fever can be defined as having a temperature above the normal body temperature range which is 36.5- 37.5 degrees celsius or 97.7- 99.5 degrees fahrenheit.
What Causes a Fever?
Fever can be a response to injury, inflammation, or infections such as respiratory infections due to virus such as colds or flu. It could also be a response to infections of the digestive tract due to a virus ,bacterial infections – particularly ear infections(otitis media), pneumonia, urinary tract infections. Other illnessess include malaria and typhoid.
Newborns and young infants are at a higher risk of certain serious infections because their immune system is not fully developed. Less common causes are side effects of vaccinations and certain drugs.
Types of Fever
High grade fever – the temperature is near the extreme of a specified range which is highest .
Low grade fever – the temperature is near the extreme of a specified range which is lowest .
Acute fever – which lasts for less than 7 days.
Chronic fever – which lasts for more than 7 days.
Symptoms of a Fever
Infants and children with a fever are usually warm or hot to touch, irritable, may not sleep or feed well and may lose interest in play.
How Can You Be Certain Your Child Has a Fever
Most times, this is recognised from touch. The child feels warm or hot to touch but this can only be confirmed by taking the child’s temperature with a thermometer. This can be taken from the rectum, ear, mouth, armpit, forehead.
There are different types of thermometers -Glass, digital , infrared thermometers .
Every home should have a thermometer.
Detecting a fever is not difficult, but determining its cause can be. This is the reason you need to consult your doctor as your child will need further evaluation and laboratory tests to determine the underlying cause of the fever.
Tips for Home Care
Once you determine your child is above normal limits of body temperature, do the following:
- Expose the child – Remove all layers of clothing .
- Tepid sponge – This is an act whereby you get lukewarm water put a small cloth or towel in it. Wring out excess water and mop your child’s body with it. This reduces the body temperature. A lukewarm bath can be given, initially.
- Administer paracetamol – Give the right dosage according to the instruction on the medication. It’s advisable to always have this at home (kept safe and away from children).
- See your doctor – This is essential as fever is not a diagnosis and the underlying cause can only be determined by laboratory tests.
In a Nutshell
Fever is very common and can be initially managed at home; but to prevent further complications, a clinical diagnosis of the underlying cause of the fever is important.
Did you know?
- Although we often worry about how high a temperature may read,the height of a fever doesn’t necessarily indicate how serious the cause is. Some minor illnesses cause a high fever and some serious illnesses cause a mild fever.
- Fever in children between ages 6months to 5 years can lead to febrile seizures and convulsions.
- Teething, contrary to old wives myths, is not typically a cause of a high grade fever. See your doctor.
Photo Credit: Dreamstime | Hongqi Zhang (aka Michael Zhang)
