When Your Newborn Has A Fever
As adults, we have a tightly controlled thermostat to help regulate our body temperature. When were cold, we shiver to help raise our temperature, and when were too hot, we sweat to help cool ourselves down. These mechanisms, on the other hand, are not completely developed in newborns. Whats more, newborns lack the insulating fat layer that older babies and children develop.
Because a newborn’s temperature regulation system is immature, fever may or may not occur with infection or illness. However, fever in babies can be due to other causes that may be even more serious. Call your baby’s doctor immediately if your baby younger than 2 months old has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher. This requires an urgent evaluation by your doctor
In older infants and young children, a fever is any rectal temperature of 101 degrees or higher. Call the doctor if your 3-6 month old has a temperature of 101 or greater. With babies and children older than 6 months, you may need to call if the temperature is greater than 103, but more than likely, associated symptoms will prompt a call. A rectal temperature between 99 and 100 degrees is a low-grade fever, and usually does not need a doctor’s care.
Fever in newborns may be due to:
How Do You Break A Babys Fever Naturally
What Not To Do If You Have A Fever
If a person has fever, then do not:
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How To Test For Fever
To take your childs temperature, you have several different types of thermometers to choose from, such as oral , tympanic , rectal, and temporal artery .
Youll get the most accurate measurement of your childs core body temperature with either an oral or rectal thermometer. Forehead and ear thermometers are certainly convenient, but they offer less accurate measurements of body temperature.
If you are the parent of an infant, it is advised that you use a rectal thermometer for best results. Whenever you report your childs temperature to their pediatrician, let them know how the temperature was taken and what the results were.
How To Dress Baby With Fever At Night
The rule of thumb is to put them in something similar to what you are wearing.Keep them in normal clothes for that season. I would offer LOTS of snuggles to keep them warm, but you dont want to put them in extra layers or too light of clothing for the season, as both can cause the childs fever to increase.
You may also want to use a fan, but do not blow it directly onto your child, but keep it in the room to avoid the room getting stuffy or hot. You do not want your child to be hot or cold.
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Give Them A Lukewarm Bath
Try sponging your baby down with lukewarm water. Maintain constant supervision during bathing to ensure water safety.
Avoid using cold water, as this can lead to shivering, which may increase their temperature. Dry your baby off immediately following the bath and dress them in lightweight clothing.
Alcohol baths or wipes to lower fevers arent recommended and can be harmful.
Is Drinking Cold Water Good For Fever
Drinking cold water lowers the body temperature and takes a fever down. Staying hydrated at any time is important, but when the body is in distress, using the cold water helps tremendously. Adding a squeeze of lemon and a little bit of sea salt during a fever can replace electrolytes that may have been lost.
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Risks: When To Call The Doctor About A Fever
Its important to know when you should call a doctor or get professional help for an adult or child who has a fever. Here are some things to look for:
- Listless or uncomfortable, even after the fever goes down
- Fever symptoms come back after they had gone away
- The child does not make tears when crying
- No urination in the past eight hours
- If a child is younger than age 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 °F or higher, is 312 months old and has a fever of 102.2 °F or higher, or is under age 2 and has a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours
- Anyone that has a fever over 105 °F , unless the fever comes down readily with treatment
- Has had fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if theyre not very high
- Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or a cough
- Has a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes or cystic fibrosis
- Recently had an immunization
How To Assess The Situation
A healthy adult with a slight fever may feel like theyve been hit with a Mack truck, but a baby with a high fever may sometimes feel pretty comfortable. The reverse of both scenarios can also occur. Fevers arent one-size-fits-all, and neither are their symptoms. Your overall comfort level and symptoms can help you decide how to treat a fever. If you have a fever, you may experience the following symptoms:
- feeling weak or lightheaded
- rash
If a rash accompanies your fever, you should consult with your doctor. Its important that your doctor determines the root cause of the rash. Other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, may resolve more quickly with medical attention. If your fever is over 103°F , you should seek immediate medical attention. This is especially true if youre experiencing confusion, hallucinations, or convulsions.
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Understanding Fever In Toddlers
What Causes A Fever
A fever is the bodys response to an infection. It could be a viral infection, such as a cold or a gastro bug, or it could be a bacterial infection, such as some ear and throat infections or pneumonia or meningitis.
Fever can also be a side effect of vaccinations.
Research suggests that teething probably does not cause fevers.
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Fever In Babies Under Three Months
Young babies get fevers just like older children, but theyre not as good at fighting off infections. If your baby is under three months old and has a fever, take them to a doctor immediately.
If your baby feels colder than normal that’s a worrying sign and means you should see your doctor urgently.
How To Break A Baby’s Fever
One of parents’ biggest worries is their children being sick with a fever. If allowed to get too high, the fever alone can cause health problems such as seizures. However, fever is generally harmless it is the product of the body fighting off minor infections. Before starting a home remedy, you should check to make sure it is safe. It is important to know when to seek emergency help.
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When To Worry About A Child’s Fever
Nearly every parent has felt their childs hot, feverish forehead and worried. Is it serious? How high is too high? Should they go to the doctor?
Many doctors see worried parents bring in their feverish children for treatment. When it comes to fever, prompt medical treatment can be very important. However, in most cases, fevers are not dangerous and can even be viewed as helpful as they fight infections naturally.
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If your childs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
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Medicines For Treating Fever At Home
Medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen are commonly used to treat fevers at home. They can help to lower your child’s temperature and make them feel more comfortable, but they dont treat the cause of the fever .
Medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen are not recommended solely for the purpose of reducing body temperature in children with a fever, or preventing febrile seizures. This is because there is no evidence to suggest they decrease the risk of seizures . But if your child is distressed or in pain you can treat them with the appropriate dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen syrup .
Paracetamol can be given to children if they are over three months of age . Ibuprofen can be given to children over three months of age and weighing at least 5 kg . Always read the instructions on the packet.
Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old as there is a small risk it could set off a rare condition called Reyes syndrome. Reyes syndrome can cause brain and liver damage .
When To See A Pediatrician
Most symptoms of teething can be managed at home. But, if your baby is unusually fussy or uncomfortable, its never a bad idea to make an appointment with their pediatrician.
Fevers in babies 3 months and younger are considered serious. Call your childs pediatrician right away if your newborn has a fever.
If your baby is older than 3 months but younger than 2 years, you should call your pediatrician if they have a fever that:
- surges above 104°F
- persists for more than 24 hours
- seems to worsen
Also, seek medical care right away if your baby has a fever and:
- looks or acts very ill
- is unusually irritable or drowsy
- has been in a very hot place
- a stiff neck
- seems to have severe pain
- a rash
- has an immune system disorder
- is on steroid medicines
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When To Call A Doctor
You should call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room if:
- Your child doesnt seem to feel better even if the fever goes down.
- Fever symptoms return after having gone.
- The child has no tears when crying.
- Your child isnt urinating regularly or hasnt in 8 hours.
- Your baby has rectal temperature of 100.4°F or more and is under three months old.
- Your baby is 3-12 months old and has more than 102.2°F.
- Your baby is younger than two with a fever for 48 hours or longer.
- Your baby recently received vaccinations.
- Your baby has a medical illness such as diabetes or a heart problem.
- Your baby has symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, nausea or earaches.
911 needs to be called if your child:
- Cant walk.
- Has a bad headache or stiff neck.
- Cant be calmed from crying.
- Doesnt waken easily or seems confused.
- Has trouble breathing.
- Has blue nails, lips or tongue.
- Refuses to move a leg or arm.
- Has a seizure.
- Has new bruises or rashes appearing.
What Is A Fever And How To Treat Fever In Children And Infants
It is common for parents and caregivers to worry when a child or infant has a fever. Should you call the Pediatric Center? Should you give the child medicine? Are there things you should not do for fever in children? First, you should know that fevers are usually harmless. They are a sign that the body is in the process of fighting off a virus, infection, or illness. They are evidence that the childs immune system is functioning. A fever is not a sickness, but is only a symptom of a sickness. So you should not only try to determine what is causing the fever, but you can also treat the fever to help your infant or child feel better and more comfortable while they are sick.
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