Fever: causes, symptoms and treatment

Fever is a temporary increase in body temperature. It is part of the body’s overall immune system response. Usually the fever is due to an infection.

For most children and adults, fever can be bothersome. But that’s usually not a cause for concern. However, in the case of babies, even a low fever can mean that there is a serious infection.

The fever usually goes away after a few days. Several over-the-counter medications lower the fever, but you don’t need to treat it if you don’t mind it.

Body temperature varies slightly depending on the person and the time of day. The average temperature is traditionally set at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Generally, a person is considered to have a fever if, when taking their temperature with an oral thermometer, the temperature at the mouth is 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) or higher.

Depending on the cause of the fever, the following may be other signs and symptoms:

Sweating Chills and tremors Headache Muscle aches Loss of appetite Irritability Dehydration General weakness

To take a temperature, you can choose from several types of thermometers, including oral, rectal, ear (tympanic), and forehead (temporal artery) thermometers.

Oral and rectal thermometers generally provide the most accurate measurement of core body temperature. Ear or forehead thermometers, while convenient, provide less accurate temperature readings.

When it is possible to take rectal temperatures in babies, it is more accurate. When you report your temperature to your healthcare provider, tell them the number and type of thermometer you used.

The fever itself may not be a cause for concern (or a reason to call the doctor). However, there are certain circumstances in which you should consult a doctor for your baby, your child or yourself.

Fever is a cause for concern in babies and young children. Call your baby’s healthcare provider if your child: Less than 3 months and the rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

He is between 3 and 6 months old and rectal temperature is above 102°F (38.9°C) or below, but seems unusually irritable, tired or uncomfortable.

is between 7 and 24 months old and rectal temperature is over 102°F (38.9°C) and lasts longer than a day, but has no other symptoms. If your child also has other signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, or diarrhea, you can check first.

There’s probably no cause for alarm if your child has a fever, but he’s fine. This means he makes eye contact with you and responds to your facial expressions and voice. Also, drink fluids and play.

Call your health care provider if your child:

Is listless, confused, and makes little eye contact with you.

Is irritable, vomits repeatedly, you have a severe headache, sore throat or stomach pain, or have other symptoms that bother you a lot.

You have a fever after being in a hot car.

Consult a doctor immediately.

You have a fever that lasts longer of three days.

have a seizure associated with fever.

Dial 911 if the seizure lasts more than five minutes or if your child does not recover quickly.

Ask your child’s health care provider for advice about specific circumstances; for example, if you have immune system problems or a pre-existing condition.

Call your healthcare provider if your temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) or higher. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompany your fever:

Intense headaches. Rash. Unusual sensitivity to bright light. Neck stiffness and pain when tilting the head forward. Mental confusion, strange behavior or speech problems. constant vomiting Difficulty breathing or chest pain. Abdominal pain. Pain when urinating. Convulsions or epileptic seizures.

To test for fever, the healthcare provider may do the following:

Ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. Take a physical exam. Take swabs from the nose and throat to diagnose respiratory infections. Order tests, such as blood work or chest X-rays, as needed, based on your medical history and physical exam.

Since fever can be an indicator of serious illness in babies, especially those under two months old, your baby may be hospitalized for testing and treatment.

When the fever lasts longer than three weeks, constantly or repeatedly, and there is no clear cause, it is often referred to as fever of unknown origin. In these cases, it may be necessary to see specialists in one or more areas of medicine for further evaluation and testing.

If you have a low fever, the health care provider may not recommend taking medications to lower body temperature. A mild fever can help reduce the number of disease-causing microbes. A fever over 102°F (38.9°C) tends to cause discomfort and usually requires treatment.

If you have a high fever or a fever that causes discomfort, your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol or others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB or others). ).

Use these medications according to the directions on the label or as recommended by the health care provider. Be careful not to overdo it. High doses or long-term use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen can cause liver or kidney damage, and acute overdoses can be fatal. Don’t give aspirin to children, as it can trigger a rare but life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.

These medications usually lower your temperature, but you may still have a mild fever. The medicine may take 1 to 2 hours to work. Call a health care provider if the fever does not improve even after taking the medicine.

Your health care provider may prescribe other medications depending on the cause of your illness. Treating the underlying cause can relieve signs and symptoms, including fever.

Babies, especially those younger than two months, may need to be admitted to hospital for diagnostic tests and treatment. In babies this young, a fever can indicate a serious infection that requires intravenous medication and constant monitoring.