When fever strikes in children, parents are kicked into high gear- experiencing an adrenaline rush to combat it immediately. Their first instinct tends to be to call a doctor or grab the nearest bottle of children’s paracetamol to remedy it.
Fever is often a sign of an underlying illness such as dengue fever or the H1N1 influenza virus, which causes parents to freak out. However, most of the time, a fever is not that dangerous at all.
Contrary to what most parents believe, fever indicates good health. Essentially, this means that the body is doing its job in fighting off an infection or an illness. Healthy kids can tolerate high fever without any complications.
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Signs of Fever in Children
If your child has a fever, it’s important to know the signs. A fever is a body temperature above 100.4°F (38°C). Fever is one of the body’s ways to fight off an infection.
Signs of fever in children include:
- frequent crying or fussiness
- a red or flushed face
- a dry mouth or throat
- trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- loss of appetite and lack of interest in food
Possible Causes of Fever in Children
Fevers are common in children. A viral infection usually causes them, but they can also result from an allergic reaction or a bacterial infection. They can be scary for parents and kids alike, but most children do not need treatment for their fever unless it reaches 39°C.
There are many possible causes of fever in children. Here are some of the most common causes:
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Common Cold
The common cold is one of the most common causes of fever in children under age 2. A child may have a runny nose, cough, and a fever over 38°C.
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Influenza
Influenza is another cause of fever in young children. Flu symptoms include sudden onset of high fever over 38.5°C, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat and cough.
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Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
Ear infections are often accompanied by a high fever that lasts 3 days or more. Other symptoms may include ear pain, hearing loss and fluid draining from the ear canal during coughing or sneezing.
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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTIs are another common cause of fever in infants and children up to age 6 months.
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Croup
Croup can cause a high fever in children. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of croup, how to recognize it, and how to treat it. Croup is an inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and/or larynx (voice box). Viruses or bacteria can cause it.
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Bronchitis or pneumonia
Bronchitis and pneumonia are both respiratory illnesses that can cause fever in children under age 5 and adults 65 years old and older. While these illnesses can get better on their own with time, they also need treatment.
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Other viral infection (such as chickenpox)
Flu or other viral infections like chickenpox are the most common causes of fevers in children. It’s important to know that these infections differ from bacterial infections, which often require antibiotics.
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Teething
Teething can cause a low-grade fever and other symptoms, such as swollen gums and drool. The best way to treat teething pain is with acetaminophen or ibuprofen—but don’t give aspirin; it could cause a serious condition called Reye syndrome if taken by infants under 12 months old!
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Allergies
Allergies can cause fevers because they cause inflammation in your body, which makes you feel hot. If you think your toddler has an allergy, talk to your paediatrician about possible allergy treatments, such as antihistamines or steroid shots.
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Injury
Injuries from falls or accidents can cause fevers by causing inflammation in the affected area(s). If your child suffers from injuries such as broken bones or burns, talk with your paediatrician about treatment options for injuries, such as antibiotics or pain medication
Fever in toddlers is common, with the average toddler having at least one fever a year. A fever is usually not dangerous, but it can be worrisome for parents and caregivers.
It’s important to know what to do if your toddler has a fever so you can take the proper steps to ensure their health and well-being.
When Is a Fever Too High for a Child
Foods to Eat When You Have Fever
There’s no question that a child with a fever is uncomfortable. But when does that fever become too high for your little one?
The answer depends on the child, but most experts agree that a fever of 38°C or higher can be dangerous for children under age 2. This is because their immune systems are still developing and they may not be able to fight off illnesses as quickly as older kids.
If your baby (less than 6 months old) has a fever, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately. She may recommend treating the fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen—and if you’re breastfeeding, she’ll want you to continue doing so while treating the infection.
A fever in an older child—one who’s at least 6 months old—may still require medical attention depending on its cause and severity. If it persists for more than 24 hours without improvement, talk to your paediatrician about whether you should bring her in for an exam.
Viral Fever Duration in Child
The length of time a child has a viral fever depends on how severe their symptoms are and how quickly their immune system can fight off the infection. Some children may only have mild symptoms for a few days, while others may experience more severe symptoms for several weeks or even months before recovering entirely from their illness.
If a child does not recover from their illness within one month after the initial onset of symptoms
When Should I Bring My Child to Hospital for Fever
Every experienced parent, more or less, knows what to do when a fever strikes in the family. But for first-time parents, here are some fever response tips you need to remember:
- Children younger than 3 months old must be immediately rushed to the doctor once a fever (even the mildest) strikes. This is because a young baby’s immune system is weak and underdeveloped.
- A doctor should evaluate children between 3 to 6 months once their fever hits 38°C.
- Children older than 6 months with fever can be continuously monitored at home. If the fever rises above 39°C and is accompanied by other symptoms such as coughs, colds or diarrhoea, the doctor must be contacted immediately.
How to Bring Down a Fever in a Child
Fever treatment for children may vary depending on the specific temperature, age, and family beliefs. By default, fever is treated by paracetamol, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications reduce fever, and most parents are comfortable giving these to their children.
Apart from medications, lots of parents also opt for natural fever treatment for children. This includes:
- Lukewarm bath – unlike cold baths that could shock the body, lukewarm baths can effectively cool off the child, thus reducing fever. Do not add any alcohol or other harmful fluids to the water as they could be absorbed by the skin.
- Wet socks – another favourite fever treatment for children involves putting wet socks around the child’s ankles and feet. This might seem weird but it does help calm fussy children to sleep.
- Popsicles – if not suffering from coughs or colds, a popsicle can be utilized as fever treatment for children. This tasty treat helps fight dehydration and provides much-needed energy from sugar.
- Apple cider vinegar – An old fever treatment for children, placing an apple cider vinegar-soaked washcloth on the forehead does wonders for reducing temperature.
- Fluids – anyone suffering from fever should be consuming lots of fluids. Be it fruit juices or regular water, these fluids help prevent dehydration and act as natural fever reducers.
Ibuprofen vs Paracetamol for Fever in Child
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are effective at lowering fever, but they differ in a few ways. First, ibuprofen has been shown to reduce pain more than paracetamol.
Second, while both ibuprofen and paracetamol can treat fever in children, ibuprofen is only recommended for children over 6 months old. In contrast, paracetamol can be given to kids as young as 1 month old.
Both ibuprofen and paracetamol are relatively safe when taken as directed by a doctor or pharmacist; however, long-term use of either drug may lead to kidney damage or high blood pressure if taken too frequently or in high doses.
You should always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and never exceed the recommended dosage unless your physician or pharmacist advises otherwise.
How to Reduce Fever in Child Naturally
If you are concerned about how to reduce fever in your child naturally, here are some steps you can take:
- Keep them hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Increase the humidity level in their room by running a humidifier or placing a bowl of hot water near the bed.
- Use a cool cloth to apply gentle pressure on their forehead and back neck (without causing discomfort). This will help reduce their body temperature naturally through sweating and evaporation of moisture from their skin surface area.
- Make sure they have plenty of rest so that their body can fight off any illness causing them to have a fever naturally without needing any medication assistance from outside sources such as over-the-counter medicines or prescriptions from doctors who specialise in treating children’s illnesses (such as paediatricians).
Image Source: iStock
Food to Reduce Fever in Child
1. Ice Cream
Ice cream has a lot of sugar and fat, but it also has excellent cooling properties that can help reduce your child’s fever. It will help lower the temperature of their body, and because it’s so cold, it can be quite soothing to their skin.
If you’re worried about the sugar content, try to choose light ice cream or a low-fat version. You can also make your ice cream using frozen bananas or other fruits—just throw them in the blender with some milk until they are smooth!
2. Cold Water
You may have heard that drinking cold water helps reduce fevers by helping to lower body temperature—and it’s true! When you drink cold water on its own or add it to other foods like soup or yoghurt, your body absorbs more heat from its surroundings. So if you’re looking for something simple and easy to do at home (or school), try drinking lots of cold water!
3. Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is well known for its ability to help clear up colds, but did you know that chicken noodle soup can help reduce fever symptoms? Chicken broth contains amino acids like glutamine which help reduce inflammation in the body while providing energy.
4. Bananas
Bananas are a good source of potassium, which helps to reduce fevers by helping to balance your body’s electrolytes. They are also high in vitamin C, which helps to boost your immune system and fight infection.
5. Applesauce
Applesauce is rich in malic acid and pectin, which help reduce fever by lowering body temperature. It also contains vitamin C and B6, which aid in the elimination of toxins from the body.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese, which help reduce fever by boosting the immune system and aiding in detoxification processes within the body. They also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals and inflammation caused by excess heat or injury.
While fever is the body’s way of fighting infection, it should not be taken lightly. Do not hesitate to contact your family paediatrician if your child is sick with accompanying fever.
Updates by Pheona Ilagan
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