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High temperature in a child

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021

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High temperature in a child is a normal and healthy reaction of the body to infection and other diseases, both minor and serious. Temperature helps the child's body to fight infection. Temperature is a symptom, not a disease. In most cases, the temperature in children means that they have minor illnesses. But if the baby has a fever, other, additional symptoms will help you determine how serious his illness is.

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Causes of high temperature

Viral infections such as the common cold and the flu, as well as a bacterial infection, such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, often cause heat.

A trip or walk with a child in unfamiliar places or a trip to a country with a different climate can lead to serious illnesses. Elevated temperature in a child, which occurs after traveling to other countries, should be evaluated by a doctor.

The child has fever and respiratory symptoms that are difficult to assess during the flu season. The temperature of the child 38.9C or higher for 3 to 4 days is similar to the symptoms of the flu.

Recurrent temperature in a child is one that happens 3 or more times during 6 months, with interruptions at least a week. Each new viral infection can cause fever in a child. It may seem that the fever in the child continues, but if between the high temperature and its decrease takes 2 days, then this is a recurring (recurrent) temperature. If a child develops frequent or recurring fevers, this may be a symptom of a more serious problem. The best advice in this can be given only by the attending physician.

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Increased temperature

Body temperature up to 38.9C can be beneficial for the baby, as it helps the body fight infection. The most healthy children and adults can easily tolerate temperatures higher than 39.4C or even 40C - true, for short periods of time. Children tend to have better tolerability of high temperature than adults.

The height of the temperature can not make it clear to an adult how serious the child's illness is. For minor illnesses such as a cold, a child may have a high fever, and a very serious infection can cause a small temperature. It is important to look for and evaluate other symptoms of the child's illness, along with the temperature.

So, if you are unable to measure the temperature with a thermometer, you need to look for other symptoms of the disease. A fever without other symptoms, which lasts from 3 to 4 days, appears and passes, and gradually decreases over time, is usually not a cause for concern. If the child has a high fever, he can feel tired, exhausted, his appetite is lost. High fever is discomfort, but it rarely causes serious health problems.

Symptoms of fever in a child

Symptoms of fever in a child may be obvious or almost invisible. The younger the child, the more difficult it is to recognize the symptoms of high fever.

Here's how to react to fever in children up to a year old

The child is irritable
The child is too weak and quiet
The baby is too hot
The baby's appetite is reduced
The kid often cries
Breathe quickly
The child does not sleep well

Children who can already speak complain about:

temperature drops, while other people in the same room or in the same situation feel comfortable,
an ache in a body,
headache,
difficulties with sleeping or vice versa, can not wake up
poor appetite.

Who to contact?

Pediatrician

How to measure the temperature of a child?

There are several ways to measure a child's temperature. Children under the age of 4 can measure the temperature by the armpit - a thermometer is inserted there. There is an oral method of measuring temperature, when the thermometer is put in the mouth. But there is a great danger that the child will bite off the tip of the thermometer, and then mercury enters his body. Therefore, when measuring temperature, take into account the age of the child.

Normal body temperature

Most people have an average body temperature of about 37C, it is measured orally (the thermometer is placed under the tongue) or under the armpit. The temperature can be 36.3C in the morning or at 37.6C at the end of the day. The temperature can rise when you are engaged in sports, wear too many clothes, take a hot bath or are in the heat. The same applies to the child. Its temperature can slightly increase when it falls into other temperature conditions. This is normal.

Treatment of fever in a child

In most cases, the cause of the disease, which caused the child's heat, will clear up within a few days. Usually, this disease can be treated at home, if there are no more serious health problems. Make sure that during the heat the baby takes enough food and fluids. This will help the body to fight the disease that has arisen.

A specific treatment for fever in a child can be prescribed only by a doctor - self-medication here is inappropriate.

The high temperature of the child - of course, should not be left without attention, even if it is episodic and soon passes.

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