As soon as we see that our child begins to get sick, we first measure his body temperature, as it is an indicator of the functioning of the entire immune system. And if the process of the disease has dragged on, and the high temperature of 4 days in the child persists, the parents begin to panic. What to do? What to do To begin with, we will correctly measure the temperature and see if it is dangerous or not.
How to measure temperature correctly
You can measure the temperature with a conventional mercury thermometer or electronic. The latter option is not credible, since it takes a very small amount of time to measure, because of this there are inaccuracies in the readings half a degree or more. Mercury thermometer measurement is carried out in the armpit or inguinal fold for 5-10 minutes. This method is the most reliable and proven.
In babies up to 5 months, you can measure the temperature in the rectum or in the oral cavity using a special dummy thermometer. Use a mercury thermometer as carefully as possible so that it does not crash by gently holding the child’s handle.
Temperature indicators
What indicators are considered normal for a child? If the temperature was measured in the armpit, it will coincide with the measurements in the inguinal fold. For children, it is considered the norm 36.6-37. In children under three years of age, the temperature may be slightly increased due to the active mobility of the child. Oral temperature is higher than in the armpit, 0.3-0.6 degrees. Rectal will be higher by 0.6-1.2. All this must be taken into account when measuring. If the indicators are above these numbers, then the temperature is elevated. Depending on the increase, it is divided into:
- up to 38 - low-grade;
- 38.1 - 39.0 - moderately febrile;
- 39.1 and above - high febrile;
- above 41.0 - hyperperexic.
During the whole illness, you need to measure the temperature several times a day to monitor the condition of the sick baby. If the child has a high temperature on the fourth day, it is imperative to undergo a specialist examination. This can signal serious complications. In order not to miss the moment, it is better to consult a doctor.
High temperature in a child, causes of its appearance
Heat is, first of all, a protective reaction of the body. With increasing temperature, the body produces interferon, activating immunological processes and stimulating the production of antibodies to pathogens. The higher the body temperature, the more it is produced. Its amount is increasing every day, and the maximum falls on 3-4 days. If the child has a fever of 4 days, it may be a cold. She is usually ill for 3-4 days. And in the future, the temperature will begin to decline. But we are used to knocking it down, and this inhibits the healing process, interferon is not produced, and the disease drags on for 7 days or more. If the child has a high temperature, the reasons may be as follows:
- viral or bacterial infections;
- overheating or heat stroke;
- noncommunicable diseases;
- teething;
- reaction to preventive vaccinations.
But this is not all the reasons for the temperature increase. It happens that it rises without the presence of any symptoms of the disease. This may be due to hidden pathologies, diseases of the nervous or cardiovascular system. Or maybe just the result of a violation of heat transfer. If the child is small, his processes of heat regulation in the body are still imperfect.
Is temperature good?
Pros of heat
It turns out that this is only for parents high indicators on a thermometer - this is a tragedy, but in fact for the body it is a completely natural reaction to an alien invasion. What are the advantages of high temperature?
- With an increase in temperature in the body, viruses and microbes cease to multiply.
- The presence of temperature during the disease indicates that the child’s body is fighting the infection.
- Interferon, which is produced at the same time, strengthens the immune system of the child's body.
- With an increase in temperature, the child's activity and appetite decrease. The body directs all energy to fight infection.
Therefore, do not rush to bring down the temperature below 38 degrees, provided that the child tolerates it well. Allow the body to fight the infection and develop additional immune defenses.
When is the time to call a doctor
If you measured the temperature and the indicators were too high, no need to panic. In your case, everything must be done to alleviate the condition of the child before the doctor arrives. Doctors should be called immediately if:
- child under 1 year old;
- earlier, with an increase in temperature, he had convulsions;
- the child is inactive and sleepy;
- a rash, vomiting, or diarrhea has appeared;
- there is no effect of antipyretic drugs;
- signs of dehydration appear.
In these cases, self-medication is unacceptable, the life of your baby may depend on this. If the child has a high temperature for several days, temperature treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
No symptoms
Sometimes we do not pay attention or do not notice that our body temperature has non-standard indicators. It happens that the temperature rises without symptoms in the child. Treatment may not be needed right away. You need to watch the baby. A temperature below 37.5 should not be brought down. It is not scary if the indicator rises to 38.5, but on condition that the child tolerates the temperature well. So experienced pediatricians think so. If this does not affect it in any way, then this increase is called asymptomatic. This phenomenon may be caused by the following reasons:
- overheating of the body;
- teething reaction;
- stress due to heavy crying;
- manifestation of an allergic reaction;
- body response to preventive vaccination;
- the presence of bacteria or viruses in the body.
If you have not noticed any signs of the disease, and the child has a high fever on the 4th day, you need to consult a pediatrician to exclude the presence of serious diseases.
How to lower the temperature without medication
There are enough funds that can slightly reduce performance without the use of antipyretic drugs. First of all, the child should receive a sufficient amount of fluid. It can be: water, tea with raspberries (an excellent diaphoretic), fruit drinks, juices. It is very useful to drink a decoction of raisins, it contains a lot of potassium and this supports the heart. The more the child drinks, the stronger the perspiration and the faster the elimination of toxins from the body. The main condition is to drink in small portions, but often.
Very popular wiping. The sheet is moistened with water at room temperature with a small addition of vinegar. After the procedure, the child is laid and covered with a thin blanket. The main condition for this procedure is hot hands and feet. If they are cold, then you definitely need to give your child an age-related dose of No-shpa or Papaverina so that the vessels expand, otherwise convulsions may begin.
Attention! If the child has had muscle cramps earlier or there are diseases of the nervous system, as well as skin rashes, rubbing is prohibited!
A baby can be undressed and left naked for a while. If the temperature is above 39, you can apply wrapping - moisten the sheet with water at room temperature and wrap the baby for a while. Do not forget that handles and legs should not be cold.
Older children can be put in the shower. Water should be warm. The room should not be hot, if necessary, ventilate it.
If, after this, the temperature does not drop, but only increases, you must definitely take medication.
Medications for lowering the temperature
The safest way to lower the temperature in children is Paracetamol. It is produced in the form of tablets, suspensions, syrups and suppositories. This medicine has a minimum of side effects. As a rule, parents give this drug themselves, without the help of a doctor, which means they must know the dosage.
A drug such as Ibuprofen and drugs based on it are widely used. It is also considered safe for children provided that the dosage is observed.
If Paracetamol has not lowered the temperature, give your child Ibuprofen. In a pair, these drugs give a greater effect.
When these drugs do not work, the temperature rises above 39 degrees, urgently call an ambulance.
What drugs can not lower the temperature in children
For children, it is unacceptable to bring down the temperature with the help of analgesics. The child may have a shock reaction, the temperature will drop to low values - 33-34 degrees - and will last a long time (up to several days). This will weaken the child, and the body will have a hard time fighting the infection.
It is strictly forbidden to give "Aspirin" and "Nimesulide"!
High temperature in a child for 4 days
When a child is sick, parents are required to monitor the situation all the time, especially if the disease is accompanied by fever. If the child has a high fever on the 4th day for 7 months, he must be examined by a doctor. This is most likely a bacterial infection. It may be otitis media or pneumonia, a disease of the genitourinary system. The pediatrician will prescribe the right treatment. You may need antibiotic therapy. If you bring down the temperature all the time, then this will not give a complete picture of the course of the disease, it will be more difficult to make a diagnosis.
A high temperature of 4 days in a child indicates that there is an inflammatory process in the body, possibly turning into a chronic disease. If this moment is missed and the focus of the disease is not found in time, you can undermine the health of the child. At temperature, the blood becomes thicker and does not tolerate oxygen to the organs, the whole body suffers from this. The child becomes lethargic, appetite disappears. Seizures are possible. The child’s body is in dire need of fluid. A high temperature of 4 days in a child requires immediate examination and immediate assistance. If a child falls ill, do not self-medicate. His future health depends on it.