Understanding and Dealing with a Child's Fever

A fever is often the reason a parent will take their child to the doctor's office. Naturally, a loving parent is going to worry the fever is a sign of perhaps a serious illness or disease that is certainly life threatening. Such worrying is referred to as fever phobia.

First, one must understand just what a fever is. A fever is simply the body's response to infection, a sort of elevation of body temperature. A section of the brain called the hypothalamus acts as the body's internal thermostat helping to maintain a temperature of about 98.6°° F. A rise in temperature is usually a sign that the body is trying to kill infectious germs and bacteria. The indications a child has a temperature can be 99°F under the arm, 100.4° F in the rectum, or 99.5° F in the mouth.

It is important to use actual measuring tools to determine body temperature rather than simply feeling the forehead or face. Unfortunately, ear and pacifier thermometers are less accurate than the tradition means of taking temperature. For children three mouths and younger, it is best to go with the rectum measurement, children three to five months need to measured under the arm, and children five months and older are most accurately measured with oral thermometers.

All in all, a fever is a good sign. It means the body is active in immunity defense. Nevertheless, a fever can make any child feel bad and there are ways to reduce its achy effect on the body. The basic rules for which fevers should be treated are if one is 102°F and higher, it should be treated and any fever under 102° F that makes the child feel bad needs to be treated.

Provide your child with a sufficient amount of fluids. This is important because during a fever, the body uses more fluids so keeping them hydrated will make them feel better. If your child does not is reluctant to drinking water, be clever and give him or her jello, watery fruit, a popsicle or anything that contains water.

Obviously, warm baths and showers will only make the child feel hotter. Though all out cold water should not be used, a bath or shower with that is a little less warm is suggested. Also, you can place rags soaked in cool water on the child's neck, head, or underarms to help cool them down. These areas have thin skin so the blood is easier to reach.

Though commonly used by adults, you should really avoid giving children medication for minor things like fevers or head aches. Children's immune systems are still developing and need to be exercised. However, in the case that a the child truly needs medical aide in dealing with a fever, ibuprofen is suggested.

If your child's fever persists without lowering for three days, it time to take the child a see a doctor. A fever that lasts longer the three days may indicate a bacterial infection and he or she may need antibiotics. If the child has a fever higher than 102° F that will not lower even with medication, he or she will need to see a doctor. All infants who have fevers should be taken to the doctor right away.