Caring for a Child with a Fever

When your child has a fever, it can be pretty scary. But there are times when it’s best to let your child’s fever run its course, especially if they are acting “normal” (eating, playing, not cranky or irritable). A fever is the immune system’s way of fighting off viral and bacterial infection. So, a fever can decrease the length and severity of the illness that caused the fever in the first place.

However, there are times when a fever can be dangerous for your child. You should take your child to their pediatrician immediately if:

� They are under 2 months old, and have a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Centigrade) or higher.

� They are 2 to 6 months old, and have temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Centigrade) or higher.

� They are over 6 months old, and temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Centigrade) or higher.

There are other signs that you should consult a doctor about your child’s fever.

âÂ?¢ It’s harder than usual to wake them up.

âÂ?¢ Their fever hasn’t gone away in three days.

� They are still cranky and irritable after the fever has dropped.

� They are suffering from persistent diarrhea.

âÂ?¢ They become delirious, or confused. (For example, they say things that don’t make any sense, or don’t seem to know where they are.)

� They complain that their neck is stiff or sore.

� They have trouble breathing.

� They keep vomiting.

âÂ?¢ They won’t stop crying.

� They suffer a seizure or convulsion, which can be caused by a sharp, sudden rise in temperature. (If your child has a history of such seizures, you should consult a doctor any time they have a fever.)

Sometimes, even a fever that isn’t dangerous can cause your child discomfort. In those cases, the following tips should help you lower your child’s fever.

Give your child plenty to drink.

Almost any liquid that doesn’t contain caffeine, especially water, is good. Not only will the liquids replenish the fluids lost due to the fever, they will help lower the fever itself.

If your child can’t drink a lot of liquid at one time, let them drink small sips of the liquid every few minutes.

Fruit juices can be a good option, because they contain vitamins and minerals. However, if your child is suffering from diarrhea, fruit juice can make their diarrhea worse.

If your child has trouble keeping down liquids, let them suck on ice cubes or popsicles.

Cool baths can help lower a fever.

Place your child in a tub of lukewarm water for ten to fifteen minutes. Use a sponge or washrag to squeeze the water all over their body. That should bring the fever down. But be careful the water isn’t too cold. If your child starts to shiver while in the bath, take them out immediately.

If your child doesn’t feel like getting out of bed, give them a sponge bath, using lukewarm water, for ten or fifteen minutes.

Do not rub your child down with alcohol. Alcohol can cause shivering, which is the body’s way of trying to heat itself up when it’s feeling too cold. Shivering will actually increase the fever. Alcohol is also absorbed by the skin, which can cause a dangerous reaction in children. And inhaling alcohol fumes can irritate your child’s lungs.

Don’t give aspirin to a child who has a fever.

Aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, an illness that can be potentially fatal. Instead, treat a child who has a fever with children’s acetaminophen or children’s ibuprofen. Consult your child’s pediatrician as to proper dosage, especially if the child is two years old or younger.

Here are some other things to keep in mind when your child has a fever.

âÂ?¢ Don’t bundle your child up in layers of clothes and heavy blankets. This won’t help lower their fever. In fact, all those layers could elevate their body temperature, making their fever worse. It’s best to dress your child in light clothing, and to cover them with a light sheet when they are resting. Not only will it be more comfortable for them, it will allow some of their body heat to evaporate into the air. Only give your child extra clothes or thicker blankets if they complain of feeling cold or chilled.

âÂ?¢ If your child feels like eating, let them. If they want a hamburger, and are able to eat it without any trouble, it’s probably okay for them to have it.

âÂ?¢ If your child has an upset stomach and doesn’t feel like eating, don’t try to force them. However, if they tell you they’re hungry, offer them foods that won’t be too hard on their stomachs, like toast, bananas, geletan, soup, broth, and oatmeal.

âÂ?¢ One of the best ways to treat a fever is with plenty of rest. However, if your child seems fine beyond the fact that they have an elevated temperature, you don’t have to make them stay in bed. As long as they don’t look tired and rundown, you can let them play and move around.

It’s important to keep an eye on a child who has a fever. But, most of the time, a fever isn’t cause for alarm. Especially when you know how to treat it.