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My child has a fever, why?
Babies are more fragile … because their ‘thermostat’ set by l’hypothalamus in the brain and their central nervous system are still immature. They therefore often respond stronger and faster to fever than adults. It occurs in case of infection (a sign that the body is defending itself), but also after exposure to heat, for example.
Body temperature: from how many degrees does he have a fever?
The severity of the child’s condition is not proportional to his temperature. However, it is estimated that up to 37,5 ° C it is normal; between 37,5 and 38,5 ° C, it is moderate; from 38 ° 6 to 40 ° C, it is strong. Above 40 ° C, it further increases the risk of complications.
Good reflexes when faced with fever symptoms
How to take your temperature. At least twice a day, and more in the baby, with an electronic thermometer. The temperature measurements are more precise by the rectal and auricular methods. The latter is less traumatic and more practical, because it avoids undressing the baby.
To avoid hyperthermia. Discover your baby, but without stripping him off when his temperature is rising. The ambient temperature should not exceed 19 ° C. To avoid dehydration. Make him drink small amounts of milk or water as often as possible.
No systematic baths. They are often more of a discomfort than a relief for the child. Instead, try refreshing it with a damp cloth or sponge.
Medicines to lower the temperature of babies and children
Paracetamol (Doliprane, Efferalgan). It is the anti-fever and pain-relieving drug that must be chosen first: it can be given to the baby from birth (from 3 kg), in suppositories, oral suspension, or in powder to be reconstituted.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Antarene, Nureflex). It can be given from 3 months in oral suspension or in powder to be reconstituted, except in cases of chickenpox or acute diarrhea.
No aspirin, association or alternation. Aspirin is no longer recommended at all today. It is also not justified to combine or alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol.
When to call the doctor
When an infant under 3 months of age has a fever.
For a baby born prematurely, carrier of a disease or having a malformation (heart, kidney), an immunocompromised toddler who has already had a history of seizures, because he is more likely than another to bear fever badly.
If a high fever does not go down despite appropriate treatment after 48 hours.
If the child shows abnormal behavior : agitation or depression, modification of consciousness. Convulsions are the primary fear of doctors and parents because they are impressive: jerky tremors of the limbs, eyelids, loss of consciousness. And yet, in the vast majority of cases, they leave no memories or sequelae and most often last between one and five minutes.
Very high fever, dehydration, very fast heartbeats, a drop in blood pressure, prolonged convulsions, even a coma: it is perhaps a major hyperthermia which presents a vital risk.
In the presence of various disorders : digestive, respiratory, stiffness and headaches, skin symptoms (rashes) …