A child's high temperature is always a cause of concern for parents. The answers to questions about how to knock down the temperature in a child and whether it should be done at all are highly contradictory. Different doctors give completely opposite advice, and when relatives join them, advising methods that have been tested on personal experience, many parents start a panic altogether. So, let's figure out what to do if the child's fever has risen.
First, you need to determine when the temperature is not dangerous. When infecting with an infectious disease, the body begins to produce special substances - pyrogen. These substances stimulate the production of leukocytes, which destroy bacteria and viruses and protect the body from their negative effects. That is, in cases of infectious diseases (ARVI), the temperature indicates a normal reaction of the body and that goes and the process of recovery. In such cases, it is necessary to fight not with the temperature, but directly with the infection, for example, giving the child warm immunostimulating tea. If the child has a low fever with an infectious disease, this may indicate a weak immunity.
To determine the exact diagnosis, you need to call a doctor. But if the doctor, regardless of the causes appoints only antipyretic, then this should alert. First, when the temperature rises, it is first necessary to establish the cause. If all treatment is reduced to fighting the temperature, and the cause is not ARVI, then the time for diagnosis and proper treatment will be lost. Secondly, if the cause is only in the virus, then, knocking down the temperature, you can on the contrary achieve that the child will be sick longer and harder.
Consultation of a good specialist is necessary in the following cases:
- At a high temperature in a child up to a year, even if the main cause is teething.
- With an increase in temperature in an infant - the unformed immune system of infants can not cope with thermoregulation and infection.
- If the child suffers from chronic diseases and disorders of the respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
- If the child does not feel very warm, the baby keeps for a few days.
- With an increase in body temperature in a child after vaccination.
- If there is a history of febrile seizures.
- If the temperature is accompanied by pain in the chest, stomach, there is difficulty breathing.
- If the child's high temperature is caused by chemical poisoning or drug overdose, then urgent hospitalization is necessary. It is desirable to establish the cause of the poisoning immediately, this will speed up the search for the antidote. It is also necessary to take urgent measures with a heat stroke.
In general, if the temperature increase is associated with changes in the behavior of the child, then a doctor's consultation is necessary for accurate diagnosis and choosing the right treatment. In no case can not panic, but also let the matter on its own, too, is not worth it. It is necessary to clearly analyze what can be the reason for raising the temperature of the child and decide whether to take antipyretic. Each case is purely individual and is caused by age, the cause of fever in the child, reaction to drugs, etc.
Normal body temperature can range from 36-37 ° C. That is, a temperature of 37 ° C for a child can be normal, or may indicate inflammatory processes. When teething, the child's temperature usually rises. Given the small age, it is better to conduct a survey, as it is possible that the coincidence of the eruption with serious diseases or inflammatory processes.
The decision on what temperature to give antipyretic, parents should take themselves, given the reason for the increase and characteristics of the child. The temperature of 38 ° C in a child over 3 years of age is not recommended to be lowered if there is no seizure in the anamnesis and the increase is caused by the virus. The temperature increase in a child up to a year is better controlled. When the threat of seizures is also recommended to take antipyretics, especially if the child's temperature has risen to 39 ° C.
General recommendations for increasing the body temperature of the child.
- warm clothes and cover with a blanket can only be in case of chills. If the child has a fever, then on the contrary it is necessary to remove excess clothing;
- Do not wipe with cold water or vodka - this can lead to vasospasms;
- You can not force a child to feed without appetite. It is better to provide a plentiful drink - herbal infusions, teas, juices;
- at high temperature the child needs bed rest;
- When choosing antipyretics, pay special attention to side effects and dosage. Taking aspirin and analgin to children is contraindicated and threatens with serious consequences.
Fear arising from parents with increasing body temperature in the child is fully justified, because the cause may be serious problems that require immediate intervention. But do not allow all actions to be reduced only to a drop in temperature, because this is not a disease, but the body's response to the disease. Take care of the proper nutrition of the child, accustom it to charging and tempering. This will strengthen the body of your baby, protect it from many diseases and complications.