High fever in a child with no other symptoms

A high temperature in a child without symptoms can be frightening for young parents. But you need to know that this is not always a symptom of a pathology, and sometimes it can be a physiological reaction. Parents should know what can cause this and what to do about it.

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Epidemiology

Statistics on fever in children without other symptoms suggest that it is a very common problem. Three to four out of every 10 parents of children under age 5 say their child had a fever in the past year. It is probably the most common reason parents seek medical attention. Fever is also the second most common reason a child is hospitalized, and it can be a source of great concern for parents.

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Causes a fever in a child with no symptoms

A fever is a sign that your child’s body is fighting an infection or illness. This is a well-known fact, but it’s not always true. A fever occurs when the body temperature rises above the average temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). While a fever in a child can cause potential panic among parents, most fevers are not serious and can be successfully treated at home.

Fever can have many causes. Fever occurs in response to infection, injury, or inflammation and has many causes. Likely causes of fever depend on whether it lasts 14 days or less (acute) or more than 14 days (chronic), and the age of the child.

Read also the article: High temperature without apparent cause in a child

Acute fevers in infants and children are usually caused by infection. Teething does not usually cause a fever over 100.5 degrees.

The most common causes of acute fever are:

1. respiratory infections caused by a virus, such as a cold or flu;
2. gastroenteritis (infection of the digestive tract), usually of viral origin;
3. certain bacterial infections, especially ear infections (otitis media), sinus infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections

Newborns and young children are at higher risk for certain serious infections because their immune systems are not fully developed. Such infections can be acquired before or during birth and include sepsis (a serious blood infection), pneumonia (infection of the air sacs in the lungs), and meningitis (infection of the tissues covering the brain).

Less common causes of acute fever without other symptoms include side effects of vaccinations and certain medications. Other causes include bacterial infections of the skin (pyoderma) or joints (septic arthritis), encephalitis, and viral or bacterial infections of the brain (Kawasaki disease). Heatstroke also causes very high body temperature.

Typically, vaccination-induced fever lasts from a few hours after vaccination to several days. However, some vaccinations can cause fever even 1 or 2 weeks after vaccination (as with the measles vaccine). This is because immunizations are usually designed to "trick" the body's immune system into thinking it has an infection, so that it develops immunity. Chronic fever most often occurs with prolonged viral illness, or with recurring viral infections that do not have time to clear up, especially in young children. Chronic fever can also be caused by many other infectious and non-infectious disorders.

Infectious causes of chronic fever include hepatitis, chronic sinusitis, abdominal abscesses, bone infections (such as osteomyelitis), and fever may be the initial symptom of tuberculosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or other connective tissue disorders.

It is also important to remember that sometimes children fake a fever.

Most fevers in young children older than 6 months are not serious.

Fever in children aged 3-6 months has a higher chance of being serious. You should seek medical attention if the temperature is 102.4 F (39 C) or higher. Fever in a child under 3 months is unusual and cause for concern. Fever in young children usually means that they have some kind of infection. This is understandably worrisome for parents.

Many viral infections that affect young children cause a fever that lasts up to 48 hours before other symptoms appear. A small number of common viruses cause fevers that last longer, so a mild fever may be the only symptom.

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Risk factors

Risk factors for developing a fever without other symptoms are difficult to emphasize, since it can be a manifestation of both an infectious process and simple teething. It can only be noted that small children (under one year) are more susceptible to many factors, and therefore fever occurs more often in them.

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Pathogenesis

Why does a child have such a temperature reaction if there are no other symptoms? The pathogenesis of this is very simple and it lies in the natural defense of the body.

The normal body temperature of a child can fluctuate and is about 36.5 – 37 C. During the day, this indicator fluctuates. Teething often increases the baby's temperature by 0.5 C.

Fever is part of the body's natural defence against infection. Fever is created by your immune system under the direction of a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus acts like a central heating thermostat. Fever occurs when the hypothalamus sets the body's temperature above its normal level. It does this in response to infection by microbes, usually because it detects the presence of infectious agents such as bacteria or viruses. It is thought that elevated temperatures are a defence developed by the body to fight off infection-causing bacteria, as they tend to multiply at normal body temperatures.

The mechanism by which the body increases its temperature is to reduce heat loss. We sweat less and feel dry to the touch, then shiver (movement tends to increase temperature) and because we feel cold, we curl up and look for different ways to warm up. The blood vessels in our skin contract to conserve heat loss, so we look pale. This is because when the temperature rises to match the thermostat, we feel hot to the touch but feel cold. At this stage of the fever, your child will not be happy when you try to cool them down, as they will already feel cold.

Eventually, the body temperature reaches the new “thermostat” setting and the feeling of cold goes away. At the same time, the thermostat setting drops back to normal and the body tries to lose the extra heat it has. It does this by increasing sweating and opening up the blood vessels in the skin, causing the skin to turn red. This process is typical for most children and adults. But there are children whose temperature increase looks a little different. Why do children have cold hands and feet when they have a high temperature? This is because at the stage of elevated temperature, such children are prone to a sharp spasm of the vessels in the periphery, which leads to a disruption of blood circulation in the distal parts of the limbs and the skin becomes cold. This is simply a feature of your child that you should know about, because it is important for treatment.

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Symptoms a fever in a child with no symptoms

Viral infections can be a common cause. Viral infections are the etiological link of common pathologies with cough, flu, diarrhea. Sometimes viral infections activate more serious diseases. The first signs of such an infection are an increase in temperature. This is how the body reacts to the penetration of a bacterial agent. As a rule, there is also a general malaise, but children do not pay attention to this and therefore the temperature can be the only sign. Then a runny nose, cough and other symptoms can begin.

If a child has a temperature of 38.5-39 without symptoms, then most likely this is the beginning of a serious bacterial infection, for example, acute tonsillitis, in which there are practically no other symptoms except for visible pathological plaque on the tonsils.

As a rule, the symptoms of a bacterial infection also begin with a rise in temperature, and later other characteristic signs appear. However, bacteria can also cause infected skin rashes. Viral and bacterial rashes in children are a very pressing problem. Rubella is one of the reasons for such a rise in temperature. And only on the second or third day a rash may appear on the body, the lymph nodes become enlarged, which already indicates a picture of rubella.

The same goes for roseola, which can start with a low-grade fever. Roseola is a very common and rarely serious illness that usually affects children under 2 years of age. The illness can cause several days of high fever, often above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a body rash that lasts from a few hours to a few days. Fever may be the only symptom of roseola, but sometimes children may have a sore throat, runny nose, cough, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck when they develop a fever that precedes the rash. Roseola can be diagnosed by a doctor based on symptoms or lack of symptoms, and then confirmed by the rash. Therefore, such illnesses based only on fever without other symptoms are very difficult to detect.

Temperature without signs of a cold in older children may be non-infectious. Often the cause is diffuse connective tissue diseases. Sometimes children cannot verify their complaints, so they need to be carefully questioned. It is necessary to pay attention to whether their legs, joints, heart hurt. All this also needs to be carefully examined.

A high temperature in a child without symptoms in the summer is often caused by the effect of temperature, which must be taken into account during long walks.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of a high body temperature in a child are seizures, which are considered one of the most feared complications in the eyes of parents. About 4% of children under 5 years of age have febrile seizures, which are often caused by a sudden spike in body temperature. They seem scary - your child may lose consciousness, freeze, or start shaking - but they are usually harmless. Most febrile seizures end in a minute or two and do not recur. Complications of high temperature can develop if this symptom is ignored for a long time, leading to late diagnosis of various diseases.

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Diagnostics a fever in a child with no symptoms

First of all, diagnosing a fever without other symptoms should involve measuring body temperature correctly. You can measure body temperature with a mercury thermometer or an electronic one, as well as an infrared one. Old-school mercury thermometers contain mercury, a powerful toxin that affects the brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys, and can also cause vision problems. If it breaks, you risk exposing your family to harmful mercury vapor. But it is considered the most accurate means of measurement.

For babies, you'll get the most accurate reading with a digital rectal thermometer. Then the measurement is easy. An infrared thermometer measures the temperature at the eardrum. An ear thermometer, as it's also called, although quick and convenient, can actually give misleading readings. First, you need to place it correctly in the ear canal to get an accurate reading (too much earwax can also affect the reading).

To take a rectal temperature, first rub the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly. Place your baby on his or her stomach or bed, then gently insert the tip 1/2 way into your baby's rectum. Lightly hold the thermometer in place with two fingers until it beeps. To get an accurate reading using a thermometer, wait at least 15 minutes before you finish taking the measurement. If you see elevated numbers, it's best to double-check with another thermometer or repeat the measurement after a while.

If the temperature is elevated, pay attention to other symptoms. The temperature reading is not the only indicator of the severity of the fever. Activity is one indicator of how your child is feeling. Generally, the most important thing is how your child looks and acts: if he or she is well and taking fluids, there is no need to call the doctor unless the fever lasts more than 24 hours or is very high.

Check your child's other symptoms. The way he plays and feels is usually the best indicator of how sick he is. If your child is lethargic, irritable, has a sore throat, ear, or stomach, or has pain when urinating, then this fever is diagnostic. These symptoms may appear later, so you should watch your child closely throughout the fever.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of serious illnesses is done by a doctor. But how can parents differentiate their child's condition? All the symptoms associated with harmless viral fevers can also occur with more serious illnesses. It is difficult to determine whether your child is bothered by more serious symptoms. You know your child better than anyone else. If your child has a fever with symptoms that are different from what they have had with fever in the past, consider the possibility of a more serious illness.

There are some characteristics of fever that can help you assess whether you need to seek medical attention. If your baby has a normal skin color, responds to you normally, is awake or wakes up quickly and easily when you wake him, and has a strong, normal cry, then he probably does not have an emergency. Characteristics of fever that suggest your baby may be more unwell are when your baby is 3-6 months old and has a temperature of over 102.4°F (39°C), has pale skin, lips, or tongue, wakes up only with prolonged effort, is unwilling to do anything, is inactive, and has no appetite. These are warning signs, even if you are not otherwise concerned about the fever.

Tests and instrumental diagnostics for elevated temperature are carried out already on the doctor's referral. After all, the doctor implies a certain diagnosis, and accordingly carries out additional diagnostic methods. The only thing that can be relevant at all stages is a general blood test. If its indicators are within the normal range, then it is likely that the temperature is caused by a non-infectious agent. And if we are talking about an infection, then a general analysis can suggest a viral or bacterial etiology.

Treatment a fever in a child with no symptoms

Treatment of high temperature is primarily symptomatic measures. The mother should reduce the child's temperature in various ways, and only then the cause of such hyperthermia is determined. The only drugs that can be used to reduce the temperature in children are ibuprofen and paracetamol.

1. Paracetamol is a medicine from the group of painkillers and antipyretics, which is used in pediatrics from two months. The method of application for small children is in the form of a suspension, and for older children - in the form of tablets. The dosage of the drug ranges from 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight to 15 milligrams. Side effects may occur when the drug affects the liver in the form of damage with cell necrosis. There may also be a headache, nausea, pain in the stomach. Precautions - do not use in the treatment of children under two months.
2. Ibuprofen is a medicine that has pronounced analgesic properties, as well as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It is used in children from six months. The method of application is also in suspension for younger children, and in tablets for older children. In addition to reducing the temperature, this drug also has good properties in terms of reducing headaches, muscle pain. The dosage for children ranges from 8 milligrams per kilogram of body weight to 10 milligrams. Side effects may be due to the effect on the kidneys in children with problems of the genitourinary system.
3. Antiviral drugs for children can be prescribed at the initial stages of the disease, this increases their effectiveness several times. Therefore, parents with a temperature and suspicion of a viral infection can independently begin taking these drugs in age-appropriate doses. Viburkol is one of the antiviral drugs used in small children. The drug is of homeopathic origin. The dosage for children from birth to six months is one suppository twice a day, and for children over six months - three times a day, one suppository. Side effects were not noted.
4. Laferobion is an antiviral drug of systemic activity, which can be used in small children. The dosage of the drug for children under one year is one suppository at a dose of 150 thousand twice a day, and for older children - one suppository at a dose of 500 thousand twice a day. Side effects can be dizziness, headache, nausea.

Vitamins can be used for children who are often ill. For this purpose, it is better to use complex children's vitamin preparations - Supervit, Univit, Medvezhyki.

Folk remedies

Folk treatment of high temperature in a child without an obvious cause can be aimed at reducing such temperature by folk methods. Such treatment can be used, but only some of the methods. For example, wiping a child with vinegar or alcohol is one of the folk methods that should never be used in children.

Traditional methods of reducing temperature include the following:

1. Give your child plenty of fluids to help replace water lost from the body through sweat when a fever occurs. Children sweat more when they have a fever and are prone to dehydration. Water or special rehydration solutions can help your child reduce fever and fight infection. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice, as they can draw water into the intestines and make cold or flu symptoms worse.
2. Bathing in warm water helps reduce fever gradually and safely. At the height of the fever, immerse your child in a bathtub filled with water about 2 degrees cooler than your body temperature. Slowly add cool water to the bathtub, which lowers the body temperature. Finish the bath after about 10 minutes. Dry the baby's skin with a towel, quickly return him to bed and cover him with blankets. Sweating should increase, which is a desirable effect after a bath. The body temperature drops by about 2 degrees. Repeat no more than once a day, preferably during the day, until the fever subsides. Do not use this treatment if the child has a very high fever or is unwilling.
3. Herbal tea can help reduce body temperature. Use any of the herbs - chamomile, yarrow, lavender and lemon juice to make a tea by steeping 2 cups of dried plant material in 2 cups of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Sweeten with honey if desired and drink 1-2 cups of herbal tea every few hours as needed. This can be done for children over two years of age and in the absence of allergies.
4. If you are afraid to bathe your baby in water, you can simply soak a washcloth in cool water and place it on your baby's head. Elevated body temperature can be uncomfortable and lead to pain and fatigue. Lowering the head temperature helps to get rid of fever in the short term.

Homeopathic medicines are not used to reduce body temperature, but such medicines can be used in complex therapy of diseases that caused fever. The variety of such medicines is very large and depends on the cause of the pathology.

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Prevention

Preventing fever in a child means, first and foremost, preventing infections, as the most common causes of fever. You may be able to prevent fever by reducing exposure to infectious diseases. Here are some tips that may help.

1. Wash your hands often and teach your children to do the same, especially before eating, after using the restroom, spending time in crowds or around someone who is sick, after handling animals, and while riding public transportation.
2. Show children how to wash their hands thoroughly by covering the front and back of each hand with soap and rinsing completely under running water.
3. Use hand sanitizer when you don't have access to soap and water.
4. Try not to touch your nose, mouth or eyes, as these are the main ways viruses and bacteria enter the body.
5. Cover your mouth when you cough and your nose when you sneeze, and teach your children to do the same. When possible, turn away from others when coughing or sneezing to avoid spreading germs.
6. Avoid sharing cups, water bottles, and utensils with your child or children.

Fever and temperature without symptoms are very common in young children, especially those under 5 years old, and this can be a really alarming symptom for parents. It is not always easy to judge how sick your child is or whether you should seek medical attention. But the main criterion is the temperature level, because the cause of such an increase can be as simple as teething. So, pay attention to your baby and do not panic without reason.

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