Most parents simply panic if the child has a fever. There can be many reasons for this condition, but you need to understand: a fever signals that the body is trying to cope with some kind of infection. If the indicators increase slightly, then do not worry, but with sharp jumps up you should know what the high temperature of the child is dangerous and what to do in such cases.
The mechanism of increasing body temperature
When foreign microorganisms or viruses penetrate the body of a child, and an adult, too, there is a response in the form of stimulation of the release of white blood cells, which immediately begin to destroy the causative agents of the disease. At the same time, the substance interleukin is produced. It penetrates the blood, reaches the center of thermoregulation in the brain, which is responsible for increasing temperature.
The hypothalamus perceives such information as a signal that the child is cold, and proceeds to eliminate this problem. For this, the vessels are narrowed so that the heat does not go outside, so the body temperature rises. This can explain why, at high temperature, the child’s cold hands and feet.
Under the influence of high temperature, viruses and bacteria die, and the fever proceeds to the next stage - the baby begins to sweat a lot. Gradually, with the death of pathogenic microorganisms, the amount of interleukin decreases and the effect on the thermoregulation center ceases. The temperature drops to its normal levels. The body thus copes with the infection, but what is the danger of a high fever in a child? What consequences can it lead to?
Abnormal temperature in children
In early childhood, the body’s high temperature is worse tolerated, therefore, parents must constantly monitor the baby during illness, note its condition, monitor behavior, periodically measure the temperature. All doctors recommend during this period to provide the child with rest, both physical and mental.
Moms must know why high fever is dangerous, what help your child needs. But it should be noted that at different ages there are peculiarities of elevated body temperature:
- In infants, thermoregulatory processes in the body are not yet fully formed, therefore, it may be the norm for them when the temperature rises when overheating, crying. But mothers need to know the danger of high fever in an infant, as in some cases it can signal the development of inflammation or an infectious disease.
- For babies who are not yet a year old, the heat transfer system is poorly developed.
- Until the age of three, heat transfer exceeds the process of heat generation in the body, so exposure to low temperatures can lead to the development of the disease.
Temperature increase provocateurs
Before panic and look for the answer to the question of what is dangerous high body temperature, it is necessary to find out why it can rise:
- If viruses invade the body, then there is nothing left for him to do but how to deal with them with the help of high temperature. Under such conditions, all metabolic processes are accelerated and the necessary proteins are synthesized faster. Is a child's fever dangerous in this case? Most likely not, since it leads to the death of microorganisms that provoked the development of infection. It remains only to identify the provocateur of the disease and begin treatment. Only a doctor should do this.
- Bacterial infection also provokes fever.
- In infants, teeth can erupt with an increase in temperature. Often, at the same time, other symptoms are also observed in the form of a runny nose, for example, then we can say that there is a decrease in immunity, which led to the development of SARS with an increase in temperature.
- Allergies are often accompanied by a jump in indicators on a thermometer. Allergens that enter the body can cause anaphylactic shock, so you need to monitor the condition of the skin, temperature indicators in order to seek medical help in a timely manner.
- Overheat. In children, the thermoregulation system has not yet been fully formed, therefore, a prolonged stay in a stuffy room, in the sun can lead to an increase in temperature, so the body tries to regulate the constancy of the internal environment.
- Stress and nervous strain can be accompanied by fever without other symptoms, so if the cause is clear, you can give the child a sedative and antipyretic.
- The body may respond to vaccination by fever. The doctor must warn parents about the possibility of such a reaction and recommend means to reduce.
Measure the temperature correctly
Quite often, mothers try to measure body temperature by applying lips or a hand to the baby's forehead. But tactile sensations do not always give an accurate idea of the condition of the child, so it is better to use a special device, that is, a thermometer.
They now come in various modifications and variations. Most are accustomed to using a mercury device, but now electronic is becoming more and more popular. They are, of course, safer, but may not always show the exact values.
The accuracy of the measurements depends on the place where the body temperature is measured, as well as on the correctness of the process. Most often, in a child and an adult, the temperature is measured in the armpit, but you can do this in the mouth or in the inguinal fold, for example in infants.
Keep the thermometer at least 8-10 minutes to get accurate readings. It should be borne in mind that, purely physiologically, even in a healthy person, the temperature in the morning is slightly lower than in the evening.
It is not recommended to measure the temperature when the child eats, is in a restless state, plays active games.
Dangerous temperature for the baby
To answer the question of what is the danger of high temperature in children, it is necessary to find out what indicators can be considered as such. Quite often you can see when parents try to give the child an antipyretic immediately, as soon as the readings on the thermometer have exceeded a little over 37. But this is not at all justified, because with viral infections this is the only way for the body to overcome the disease, since antibacterial agents will not result.
But with some indicators, it is still worth helping the baby, parents should know what the high temperature of the child is dangerous if it is not brought down for a long time. Let's find out what is the danger and when it is necessary to use medicines to lower the temperature.
It all depends on the age of the child. For example, in infants, thermoregulation is imperfect, therefore, for them, indicators within the range of 36.6-37.2 are considered normal if there are no other signs of the disease. With overheating, the temperature can rise to 38 degrees, but if it does not fall for more than 4 days, then it is worthwhile to see a doctor. This may be evidence of low immunity or the presence of a latent infection in the body.
In children with vegetovascular dystonia, a slight increase in temperature can also be observed against the background of the complete absence of any signs.
If there is a viral or bacterial infection, then the indicators of 38-39 degrees are the temperature at which the active death of pathogens occurs. Is a child's fever dangerous in such a situation? The doctor will most often answer negatively, but Mom will recommend that he carefully monitor the condition.
But if the indicators are rapidly creeping up, it is urgent to call an ambulance. The danger of a temperature increase above 40 is discussed further.
High temperature hazard
If the indicators reached 40 degrees on a thermometer, then the baby needs urgent help, it is only advisable to consult a doctor, because some drugs may be contraindicated in such cases. Let's look at why temperatures above 40 are life-threatening:
- With prolonged high temperature, the child begins delirium.
- Convulsions appear, causing the baby severe pain, from which he may lose consciousness.
- The natural process of blood circulation is disturbed.
- Blood pressure decreases.
- Dramatically increases blood viscosity.
- The danger of a high temperature in a child is also intoxication of the body and dehydration, so it is very important to give a lot of drink at this time. For babies and premature babies, this can be deadly.
- Against the background of high temperature, complications in the cardiovascular system may occur.
- A temperature of 40-41 degrees can lead to irreversible changes in the brain, which is fraught with a sad outcome.
That's the danger of temperatures above 40 degrees. Of course, indications to bring down the temperature can be individual in each case - sometimes even 38 degrees may require the use of drugs.
For whom is high temperature the greatest danger?
Each organism has its own individual characteristics, some carry infectious diseases against the background of an almost insignificant increase in temperature, and in other children even teething is accompanied by a jump of up to 40 degrees. But there is, according to experts, a category of children for whom a fever is especially dangerous:
- If a serious disease of the cardiovascular system is diagnosed.
- There are pathologies of the pulmonary system.
- In babies up to the age of five, since there is a great danger of developing febrile seizures. Especially if they have already been observed during temperature.
- There are disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.
- The presence of diabetes mellitus or other diseases associated with a malfunction of the endocrine system.
If the child is often ill with a high fever, then parents should consult with a doctor in advance about helping him in such a situation.
Helping a child at high temperature
Why a temperature above 40 is dangerous, it is clear, but how to provide first aid to a child before the doctor arrives? Here are some guidelines:
- First of all, it is necessary to remove the clothes from the child and wipe it with water at room temperature, it is strictly forbidden to bathe.
- Put a cold compress on your forehead.
- If high temperature leads to cold extremities, then you should wear warm socks, put a hot heating pad at your feet. Since this symptom is most often triggered by spasm, you can give "No-shpu."
- Use medicines to bring down the temperature. Children are advised to give Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
You can use to reduce the temperature only drugs approved for children. Dosage and duration of administration should be agreed with the doctor.
Komarovsky about the first actions of parents at a high temperature in a child
We have already figured out why the high temperature in a child is dangerous. Komarovsky believes that at this time the most important thing is to ensure the conditions under which the body will lose excess heat. Given that heat loss occurs in two ways - when the air in the lungs warms up or during sweating, a popular doctor recommends the following actions in case of heat in children:
- Create a cool temperature in the room where the child is. Optimal is + 16-18 degrees. But the clothes on the child should not be too light so that the vessels of the skin do not spasm.
- Provide the baby with a plentiful drink. This will increase perspiration and prevent blood clotting.
As a drink, you can use not only ordinary water, but also fruit drinks, dried fruit compote.
When to help a child
If the child has reached the age of five, then you can not bring down the temperature to 39 degrees, if there is no indication for emergency care. With infants, things are a little different. If the thermometer is already 38, then you will have to resort to help the baby, when:
- He has cold hands and feet.
- The skin became pale.
- The child is too naughty.
- Mom noticed lethargy or inappropriate behavior.
- Refuses breast or bottle.
What not to do at high temperature
It’s clear that mothers are ready to do anything to help their baby, but some things simply can’t be done if the child has a high fever:
- It is contraindicated to rub the child with an alcohol solution, since such a procedure only expands even more vessels, which, in this condition, are already dilated. In addition, the baby is poisoned by alcohol.
- If the temperature does not go astray, then it is better to call a doctor, but it is absolutely impossible to give Aspirin. It can cause kidney damage and internal bleeding.
- It is not recommended to wrap the child in wet and cold sheets, apply cold heating pads, as this only reduces the temperature of the skin, and inside it remains high, and this is already dangerous.
- Do not use a fan to lower body temperature.
It turns out that not all remedies are good when it comes to high temperature in a child. Some may even be dangerous!
When to take medicine
Indications for taking antipyretic drugs are the following situations:
- The child does not tolerate heat very well.
- The baby has a high risk of developing seizures.
- The indicators on the thermometer exceed the mark of 39 degrees.
Parents should know that in children’s practice it is recommended to use only Ibuprofen or Parcetamol. "Analgin" is prohibited in the treatment of children, it can provoke anaphylactic shock, damage to the liver and kidneys.
The use of drugs such as Phenacetin and Amidoprin is fraught with toxic reactions. The dosage of even permitted medicines should be selected taking into account the weight and age of the child.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to say that before you put all your strength into the fight against high temperature, you need to find out its cause. After all, heat is just a protective reaction of the body, not a disease. Sometimes it is easier to allow the body to cope with the infection itself than to stuff the baby with pills. But you must always be ready to help if the indicators on the thermometer creep up sharply.