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ADVICE RATING

4.40 (Worth a try) from 25 votes (824 Visits)

Fever in children - The Facts

Anonymous Author (January 2007)

A fever is when the body temp is above 38C.
Its a sign of infection. Viral or sometimes bacterial. Bacterial are not common and need anti biotics. Viral are the most common and usually does not need anything.
High fever doesn't mean your child is seriouslly
ill.
A fever isn't harmfull until it reaches 42.0C.
Treat a fever with clear fluids (dilued juice or water) and panadol if your child is miserable.
Fever is the bodies way of fighing infection. The temp will return to normal once the infection has gone.

A few children may fit when they have a fever. See my other advice Busting the Myths about Febral Convulsions

There are a few ways to take your child temperature.

Under the arm - This is for all children
Under the tounge - This is only for older children
By Ear - This is for all ages

Plastic forehead thermometers are NOT accurate or reliable. So keep this in mind.

See your doctor if

Your baby is under 3 months old
Their temp is over 40.0C
They are vomiting and refusing to drink
They are more sleepy then they are usually
They are having difficulty breathing
They have a rash. ANY rash!!
They are in pain (fevers DO NOT cause pain)
They are somplaining of a stiff neck
The light is hurting their eyes

Home Treatment

Dress them in enough clothes so they aren't shivering
Give lots of clear drinks. If they are less than 6 months give cool boiled water, breastfeeds or bottles
Dont worry if they refuse to eat
Watch for signs they are getting worse
Tepid sponging and/or fanning IS NOT reccomended
If your child seems happy and normal there is no need to treat a fever with anything. Not even panadol

Key Points To Remember

Fever is common
If your child seems normal and happy then there is no need to treat a fever
If your child is younger than 3 months and has a temp of over 38.0C then take them to the doctor
Normal temperature is up to 38.0C
Give lots of fluids
If they seem unwell and miserable, treat it with panadol to make your child more comfortable
Watch for signs its getting worse

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

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ADVICE RATING

4.40 (Worth a try) from 25 votes

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| Izzy

fevers

I just wanted to add that slight temperatures are more alarming to newborns than older babies. After about 5 months or so, they are more able to tolerate fevers.

I agree that the child's behavior is also a factor in determining how sick your child is. Even the fever is low grade, but your child is barely moving and very fatigued.. I find that more alarming that a child who is running around with a slightly higher temperature.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| MadMel

fevers

100% right. That is why if your baby is under 3 months it's SOOOO important that you go straight to the doctor. My son had a high temp and was so lethargic. Thats why he was taken to the hospital. Now lucky me my other son now has a temp but luckily there was an opening at the doctors today :)
THanks for the input Izzy :)

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	4.50 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| kseers

Question

Thanks for the tips. Can I just ask why you said tepid bathing is not recommended? My doctor suggested a warm bath - is that the same thing? He said to do nothing unless it is over 39 degrees as once it hits 40 it is getting into dangerous territory

Also can I add to your list to see your doctor when their temperature will not come down. My son had a temperature for days but nothing else wrong I could see (and he was happy). We reached the point where I could not control it with panadol/baths etc... and I called the dr. They advised me to come in. When i got there he had suddenly become very lethargic and was hospitalised for pneumonia. Up until this point there was nothing wrong except the temperature. It is a good sign something is wrong.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| MadMel

Question

I am not sure why it's not reccomended. i was told by the paed doctor that it's not something to do. Its also on my factsheet. I can only guess and my guess is that it's because when you bring the temp down too fast it can send them into shock.
I think that the pead doctors know more than me so I just listen to what they say :)

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| lexiw

I just have to add

Zack had a viral infection that required antibiotics and a stay in the hospital due to him not taking in anything at all, He had a viral rash and his oxygen levels were low because of the viral infection, He also had a very high temp 39.9 So sometimes a viral infection does need to be treated.

Great advice overall though.

Lexi xxx

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| MadMel

I just have to add

your right. not every infection is the same. I edited it and changed that. Thanks :)

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| exquisite-flower

Proof from my experiment this week

I actually managed to find my forehead thermometer this week, so took E's temp with that and with the mercury under the arm.

The forehead showed a temp of 36.

The mercury showed a temp of 39 in less than 2 minutes.

It is slowly comeing back down again, but I was shocked at how vastly different they were. Thankfully when E gets hot she is so hot she radiates the heat and you cant get close to her, so she was being treated for the temp in order for her to sleep before i took her temp. But I was so glad that I did this little experiment.
Peace
EF.x

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| mandymum3

Congrats

This is all too true.Too many people freek when they see there kids have a temp It is like you said the bodys way of fighting the virus. well done

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| angelmum

Once again

Excellent advice...... Thanks for writing...

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| January 2007 \| Raine

More top notch advice

I've copied both of these articles for my first aid folder - Thanks for sharing again...

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