When should you worry about a child's fever?

What temperatures indicate a fever and when should parents really worry?

1 26 Children, FEVER

Fever frightens parents, especially when their child is young and their first. But what temperatures indicate a fever and when should parents really worry?

"First of all, parents should know that no matter what they do, no matter how careful they are, the child will eventually develop a fever," says pediatrician Dr. Tracy Lim, of the Cleveland Clinic Westlake Medical Campus in Ohio. "Fever is a normal reaction of the body to infections and diseases. "When it is at reasonable levels, manageable with common antipyretics and recedes soon, they usually do not need to worry."

So when does a child have a fever? The general rule is that temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius are considered fever. Temperatures up to 37,5 can be normal. Because he can"; Because first of all the normal body temperature fluctuates during the day. In addition, it varies depending on age, activity level and other factors.

In practice, this means that in infants and toddlers (up to 2 years old) a typical, normal temperature is 37,5 degrees Celsius. In older children, however, it is around 37 (from 36,6 to 37,2) when you measure their mouth temperature.

When not to worry

So if your child has a fever, stay calm - up to a point, of course. Dr. Lim says a child's fever is not a cause for concern if:

It lasts 3-4 days and does not affect the child. If the child's behavior is almost normal, you do not need to worry. This means that he will play, eat and drink fluids normally, although he may be more tired than usual.-Does not exceed 39 degrees Celsius at the ages of 3 months to 3 years.-Does not exceed 39,4 degrees Celsius in children over 4 years-It is essentially "tenths". The "tenths" in children (or low-grade fever, more scientifically) are temperatures between 37,5 and 37,9 degrees Celsius. If e.g. the child has been vaccinated, it is normal to have "tithes" for a couple of days.

When should you have a fever?

On the contrary, Dr. Lim says you should call your pediatrician immediately:

A baby under 3 months has a fever (38 degrees Celsius and above). Fever at these ages can mean a reaction to some serious underlying disease. Remember, however, that especially in newborns, very low body temperature is a problem. Therefore, you should call the pediatrician even if the baby is below 36,5 degrees Celsius, especially if the measurement is done correctly.

-The child's fever lasts a long time (for more than 3-4 days). The pediatrician may need to investigate the underlying cause

-The fever reaches 40 degrees

-The fever does not go away with common antipyretics

The child does not behave as usual. It can e.g. to want to sleep all the time or not get out of bed or not want to drink fluids. Dr. Lim emphasizes that babies who do not change at least four diapers a day are at risk of severe dehydration. The same goes for older children who do not urinate every 8-12 hours. The doctor must be informed about all this.

The child was vaccinated and his fever exceeded 38 degrees. Even if he has a fever for more than 48 hours, after the vaccination, you are worried for any reason. You know your child better than anyone. If you have any concerns about his behavior, illness or fever, talk to your pediatrician.

Source: iatropedia