Does the child have a temperature of 38 and a cough? What is the reason? How to act in this situation?
A cough is a protective reaction of the body designed to remove irritants from the respiratory tract. A dry (or unproductive) cough is a cough without sputum. Normally, it can occur in young children in the morning or occasionally during the day, and if it is not accompanied by other signs of the disease, then it is not considered a pathology. It can also be a sign of an onset inflammatory process in the airways. For example, a barking cough with laryngitis, "metallic" with tracheitis - such a cough is felt as exhausting, intrusive.
Also, an attack of dry cough can occur when a foreign body enters the respiratory tract, an attack of bronchial asthma, allergic diseases. It should be noted that in newborns the cough reflex is very weak and does not allow to cough up properly.
When does temperature occur?
An increase in temperature, like a cough, is one of the protective reactions of the body, and it occurs in children quite often. It can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, diseases of the nervous system, overheating, teething, reaction to preventive vaccination. Raising the temperature to 38.5 degrees is not considered dangerous and does not require treatment with antipyretic drugs, except in cases where fever is accompanied by chills, pain in the muscles and joints, if cramps were previously observed with fever (febrile seizures) or if the temperature rises a child younger than two months old.
How to get rid of hyperthermia without drugs?
If a child has a strong cough and a temperature of 38 and above, in addition to drugs, it can be reduced by a set of measures, called physical cooling methods. They improve the well-being of the child and prevent a further increase in temperature. First of all, it is worth saying that you do not need to wrap the child, as this can lead to heat stroke. The temperature in the room should be comfortable, clothing should be lightweight, made from natural fabrics that transmit heat well. Wiping with warm water can be used to quickly lower the temperature (cold water or alcohol is undesirable; vinegar can only be used in older children). They wipe their face, hands, neck, chest, legs, and do not wrap them around after rubbing the child, as this can cause the opposite effect.
Cough and fever
The most common cause of a dry cough and a temperature of 38 in a child can be caused by a viral infection of the respiratory tract (ARVI or influenza). These diseases are considered one of the most common among children, and, despite the seeming harmlessness, they can cause quite dangerous complications - false croup, pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic respiratory infections, damage to the kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system.
Therefore, if the child has a temperature of 38 and a cough, then it is impossible to let the disease drift. Urgently need to contact a pediatrician. According to various sources, coughing and a fever of 38 in a child (Komarovsky, Shaporova and others) are the most common reasons for parents to go to the clinic or call a doctor at home, and most often in such cases they are diagnosed with ARVI or flu.
SARS and the flu
SARS is caused by various viruses that affect the mucous membrane of the nose, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx and trachea (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses). The disease does not always occur with a high fever, but a dry cough and runny nose appear from the first days of the illness. Most often, children fall ill in the off-season, in the fall or in the spring, when the changing weather has a cold.
Unlike SARS, one of the earliest symptoms of influenza is headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, and only after three to four days does the child develop a temperature of 38, cough and snot. In the epidemic season (February-March), up to 30 out of 100,000 children suffer from the flu. Complications of the flu, primarily pneumonia caused by both the flu virus itself and the associated bacterial flora, can be very difficult and even fatal.
Drugs for the treatment of influenza
It is absolutely forbidden for children to carry the flu on their feet, as many adults do, and if the child has a fever of 38 and a cough, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Antiviral drugs (Remantadin, Algirem, Tamiflu, Relenza) are used primarily for treating influenza, they are the main means of control. Also, the doctor will prescribe interferons and interferon inducers (popular drugs "Kagocel", "Arbidol", "Grippferon"). According to the indications, symptomatic drugs ("Teraflu", "Coldrex", etc.) will be prescribed. It should be noted that symptomatic therapy drugs will help relieve dry cough and a temperature of 38 in a child, but do not have any effect on the influenza virus and the viruses that cause SARS, so they are not enough for a full treatment.
Drugs for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections
As you know, if you do not treat a cold, then it lasts for seven whole days, and if you treat it, then only one week, so symptomatic therapy should be preferred in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections. First of all, these are vasoconstrictive sprays and nasal drops (their assortment in pharmacies is huge and varied), antipyretic drugs, of which Paracetamol and Ibuprofen (Nurofen) are usually used in children, as well as expectorant drugs (Lazolvan , "Bromhexine", "ACC").
It should be remembered that children under three years of age are often unable to cough up effectively, therefore, expectorant drugs are used with caution. Codeine-containing antitussive drugs have not been used recently in children. Also, preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and metamizole sodium (analgin) are not used for them because of their negative effect on hematopoiesis.
In no case should you self-medicate, as this can harm the health of the child. All drugs must be taken as directed by a doctor.
Therapeutic regimen
In the treatment of SARS or influenza, when the child has a temperature of 38 and a cough, it is very important that the treatment regimen be observed. You should not force the baby to observe bed rest if he does not want to, but to allow excessive physical activity is also not worth it. In the child’s room, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature and make sure that the air is not dry. With a dry cough, inhalation by steam, inhalation with medicinal plants (chamomile, eucalyptus), plentiful warm drink (weak tea, sweet juices, fruit drinks, fruit drinks) help. To reduce the temperature, the physical cooling methods mentioned above are used.
When is emergency medical assistance needed?
Seek medical attention immediately if:
- The temperature in the child rose to 40 and above.
- A dry cough and a temperature of 38 in a child lasts more than three days, despite the treatment prescribed by a doctor.
- Against the background of fever and cough, other symptoms appear - a rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or the condition of the child worsens against the backdrop of the onset of recovery.
- There were allergic reactions to the drugs used (often they can cause flavoring in tablets and powders).
- The child has chronic diseases, and fever and cough aggravate them.
- The child refuses to drink, there are signs of dehydration (dry, pale skin, crying without tears, rare urination).
Be healthy!