Elevated temperature in children is the most common reason for contacting a pediatrician. The fact is that a small subfebrile temperature is not always a sign of illness. It can appear in a variety of situations, such as overheating, stress, or teething. But it can also be serious signals indicating that the child needs the help of a doctor. In medicine, a temperature exceeding 37 ° C is considered elevated.
The temperature in an infant or young child can manifest itself in different ways. In most cases, the child is restless, irritable, moody. The skin is hot and dry when touched. The pulse is fast. But in some children, the skin temperature may be moist and cool to the touch.
What diseases do children have fever for?
These are mainly infectious or viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract and nasal cavity. Very often, a small child has otitis media. Hyperthermia is observed with food poisoning, childhood infections (chickenpox, measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever, etc.).
For the doctor, in the diagnosis, temperature indicators, the time and duration of its appearance, and the assessment of the appearance of the child are of great importance. Since the temperature is not always a symptom of the disease, parents should carefully monitor the child and know his features of responding to a particular disease. Some look exhausted and exhausted, while others persistently catch colds on their feet. Therefore, it is important to know the reaction of the child's body to the disease, so that if necessary, inform the doctor about it.
Elevated temperature in children can be observed with overheating, high ambient temperature, the use of hot foods or drinks, if the child is not dressed for the weather (too warm), with hysteria or teething. If the parent does not see any signs indicating the presence of the disease, it is advisable to measure it again after about an hour.
According to statistics, subfebrile temperature in infants appears for the following reasons: in the first place are infectious and viral diseases, followed in order by inflammation of the middle and inner ear, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, teething and temperature reaction to vaccines.
As a rule, in children older than one year old, parents cope with fever on their own. A doctor should be consulted if it has a tendency to grow rapidly and becomes febrile, if the child’s behavior or condition is worrying, if the child is less than a year old or has a history of chronic illnesses known to parents that could worsen.
Parents should be able to correctly measure the temperature, for this it is not enough to simply put their hands on their forehead. Temperature in children and adults is measured using thermometers. They are electronic, mercury or infrared. Traditionally, in Russia it is customary to measure the temperature in the armpit. It is believed, however, that the most accurate are the indicators obtained when measuring it in the auricle, in the mouth or in the anus. The most popular today are electronic or infrared thermometers , accurate and quick to measure, as well as safe to use. Mercury thermometers are gradually becoming obsolete , by which the temperature should be measured for at least five minutes, and the mercury contents are very dangerous if the thermometer suddenly breaks.
It is important to remember that a slight elevated body temperature (up to 38 ° C) is better not to bring down. It is necessary to allow the body to fight the infection itself, since many pathogenic microorganisms die at high temperature. If the temperature rises above, it is necessary to give the child antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. Next, you need to see a doctor to identify the cause of the temperature reaction and conduct symptomatic therapy.