Medical and Health Project

Fever is not a disease in itself but a body’s defense mechanism against certain external agents, such as bacterial infections, viral infections, stress.The most common cause, 90% or viral infections.

The younger the child at greater risk of complications present, as their immune status is not mature and will be less likely to react to infection.

An infant under 3 months with high fever should be seen by a doctor who will perform the necessary examinations to diagnose the cause of the fever. In infants older than 6 months with a good general condition is desirable that within 24 hours after onset of fever, being seen by a doctor and did not find the cause will have to exercise control within 24 hours. If the general condition worsens then you have to go back to a medical facility.

When the thermometer to a child?

* When you have the warmth to the touch
* When an active child, stop moving and playing.
* When drowsiness
* When you have no appetite (in a child who eats well)
* When you have cold symptoms
* When you have excessive sweating at rest
* When you have a red skin
* When you have a breathing.

How to put the thermometer to a child?

Oral or axillary temperature: This type of thermometer is thin and elongated tip. Taking the temperature in your mouth it should be placed under the tongue, telling the child not to chew or speak for 3 minutes. In the case of axillary temperature measurement should be placed in the hollow of the armpit, without coming into contact with clothing and keep it for 5 minutes. Oral or axillary temperature is normal up to 37 º C, between 37-38 º C are called low-grade fever and from 38 º C will be treated with fever.

Rectal temperature: This thermometer has a rounded tip and shorter. To make something less painful it can cover the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly. Place your child on the side, with knees bent and gently insert the thermometer into the anus, no more than 2-3 cm. Keep your child moving or holding someone’s help.

Hold thermometer for about 1 minute. Rectal temperature is more than half a degree of measured temperature in the mouth or armpit. So it is deemed not to have fever 37.5 º C and that it will strike from 38,3-38,5 º C.

When should I go to the ER?

- If the child is under 3 months
- If the fever is greater than 40 º C
- If the fever does not yield good after an hour of giving him the antipyretic
- If you submitted a febrile seizure
- If you have repeated vomiting
- If the baby cries inconsolably.
- If it is difficult to arouse.
- If you are confused or delirious.
- If you have a stiff neck.
- If you like dark spots on the skin (petechiae).
- If you have difficulty breathing, doing much work of breathing, such as sinking costal breathing with the abdomen.
- If your child has any serious illness: cardiovascular, renal, diabetes, etc …

Treatment
You must first uncovering and leave with as little clothing as possible. Ensure that the room does not make excessive heat.
If the child has tremors and chills but you can plug in light clothing.
You can put cold compresses on arms, legs and chest.
Make the child drink cool fluids in small quantities and frequently.
If the temperature is over 38 ° C it must be running a fever reducers. The most commonly used antipyretics are acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
If the fever does not yield easily be combined with ibuprofen, acetaminophen. Every 3 hours, approximately, you can toggle the dose of both.
The antipyretics are most effective towards the half hour of his administration.
After half an hour of giving him the antipyretic, if the fever is high, can give your child a shower or bath with warm water (never cold water).

Tags: caused fever, Cold symptoms, Fever, fever in children, fever treatment, prevent fever