A fever is a defensive reaction of an organism in response to exposure to pathogenic irritants. Its task is to stimulate the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. An increase in temperature is considered an indicator that the body itself is trying to defeat the ailment. Fever can be red and white. The difference is in the symptoms and rules of first aid. Any increase in temperature is bad, but white fever in children is very dangerous and requires special attention of parents when their child is sick.
Why does body temperature rise?
Body temperature rises when a pathogenic bacterium or virus enters the body. Fever allows you to stimulate all the protective forces of the child's body, thereby speeding up the healing process.
White fever in children most often occurs as a result of respiratory viral infections that affect every child. In such cases, it is called "fever of infectious origin." But there are non-infectious causes of a rise in body temperature in a child:
- trauma, swelling, hemorrhage;
- psychological problems (neurosis, emotional overstrain, etc.);
- taking medications;
- pain syndrome of any genesis;
- failure in the endocrine system;
- allergic reaction;
- urolithiasis (calculi that go out through the urinary tract injure the mucous membrane, as a result of which body temperature rises).
The above factors that can trigger a fever are considered basic. But there are others.
How to identify white fever?
Red and white fever in children proceed differently, of course, the symptoms will be different. But, as mentioned above, the latter species is considered more dangerous for the child's body. Therefore, it is so important to be able to determine which condition is currently observed in the baby. After all, it depends on which method of struggle should be chosen.
If the child's skin is pink and wet, and the body is hot, then in this case we can talk about red fever. The limbs will be warm - you should pay special attention to this. Rapid breathing and pulse are observed.
White fever in children is more severe. The child is pale, you can even see the vascular network. Sometimes this skin condition is called "marble."
The lips turn blue, blueing can be observed in the nail boxes. Cold extremities, when the whole body is hot, is the main sign of white fever. If you press on the skin, then a white spot remains on the body, which does not pass for a long time.
With white fever, the difference between rectal and axillary temperature is 1 ° C or more.
Dangerous symptoms!
This type of fever can manifest itself as very dangerous symptoms that every parent should be aware of. It's about cramps. If you do not react in time to the condition of the child, do not bring down the temperature, then the occurrence of seizures in most cases is inevitable.
The child changes in behavior. He is sluggish, does not want anything, refuses food. Against the background of a convulsive state, the baby may begin to rave.
When to bring down the temperature?
Many parents, having discovered the slightest increase in body temperature in their child, begin to panic, get all kinds of antipyretic drugs and give them to their child. But when is it necessary to do it, and when not?
General rule: children need to bring down the temperature only in those cases when the thermometer shows 38.5 ° C or more. But does this apply to every child and every case? The answer is no! White fever in children requires immediate intervention, even if the body temperature has not reached 38.5 ° C. Especially it concerns:
- newborns who have not reached the age of three months;
- children who previously had a convulsive condition;
- children with central nervous system disorders;
- patients who have chronic diseases of the heart muscle or lungs;
- those who have metabolic problems.
Parent activity with white fever
Everyone should know what to do if there is a white fever in children. Emergency care is as follows:
- call an ambulance - the first thing to do if you have symptoms of white fever;
- apply dry heat to the limbs (it can be a heating pad or a bottle of warm water);
- to shelter a child if he refuses to get dressed (but not to overdo it, the main thing is that the body is warm and not heated even more);
- give drink more warm tea, compote or water;
- it is forbidden to wipe the child with alcohol and vinegar solutions, because this can lead to spasm.
Medicines
Which medicines can be used if white fever occurs in children? Treatment consists in the use of such drugs:
- "Paracetamol". It is recommended to use no more than 3-4 times a day. The general course of treatment is 3 days.
- Ibuprofen Frequency of admission is every 8 hours.
- "No-shpa." A drug that helps to remove vasospasm, which is very important in this condition.
- The phenothiazine group. These include the medicines "Propazin", "Pipolfen", "Diprazin". Dosage should be prescribed only by a doctor.
- Rectal suppositories with analginum and diphenhydramine, for example, "Analdim".
If an ambulance team was called, then, as a rule, the child will be given an injection on the basis of one of the following means: Analgin, No-shpa, Diphenhydramine. Dosage depends on the age of the child.
Before using each drug, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions attached to it.
What is the danger?
Raising body temperature to high levels sometimes causes dangerous consequences. Internal organs are very hot, the brain suffers. Therefore, it is so important to bring down the temperature of children.
What is the danger of white fever in a child? The main danger lies in the development of febrile seizures. This happens in 3% of all cases. Convulsions adversely affect the central nervous system and its development.
Dehydration is another factor worth considering. With any increase in body temperature, you need to give your child a drink to prevent dehydration.
It is impossible!
With white fever, it is prohibited:
- wrap the child in a warm blanket, put on warm clothes;
- excessively humidify the air in the room;
- wipe the body with vinegar and alcohol solutions (threatens the development of dangerous consequences);
- put the child in a bath with cool water;
- self-medicate if the condition of the child is critical;
- neglect medical attention.
Now you know how to bring down the temperature with a white fever to a child. It is important to take into account all the nuances of help, because if something is done wrong or contrary to the rules, then the damage to the children's body can be irreparable. It’s better to call an ambulance right away. The doctor will give an injection to the child and give recommendations on further actions.