Fever

Fever In Children

The human body has a thermostat which helps us to regulate our body temperature. The normal body temperature is between 36.5°C and 37.5°C. With infection or other illnesses, various chemicals are released in our body. This re-adjusts the thermostat, resulting in fever.

A few points to note about fever:

Fever is the body's way to fight infection. However, it is not just caused by infections alone.
How high a fever is does not indicate the severity of the illness that is causing the fever.
Over-wrapping and a generally hot environment can cause the body temperature of a child to be slightly above normal.
Fever caused by viral infections may persist for up to 5 to 7 days and will only completely settle when the viral fever has resolved.

Medications

Symptomatic treatment with paracetamol and other anti-fever medicines may only temporarily suppress the fever.
Antibiotics are of no use in viral fevers.
Do NOT use Aspirin in children.

Other Measures

TEPID SPONGING may help if the temperature is more than 39.5°C. Use tap or lukewarm water to sponge.
- Remove clothings, cover the child with towel sponge and dry his face.
- Apply the cool compress to forehead, nape of neck, armpits and groin.
- Proceed to sponge body starting with the front then to the back.
- Generally you should not sponge a child for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. Stop sponging when shivering occurs, or when the child turns blue or is mottled. When your child shivers, cover him up and wait a while before resuming sponging.
Encourage your child to take plenty of fluids
Dress your child in light clothings to allow heat exchange.
Keep the room environment cool and well-ventilated to allow the ambient temperature to help bring the fever down.