A violent fever reaching up to 40,5 degrees Celsius may indicate the so-called three-day, i.e. sudden erythema. The disease affects children from 3 months to 3-4 years of age. It is caused by the herpes virus types 6 and 7, transferred from a sick person. Although it does not pose a serious threat, it can instill fear.
Many children go through three-day fever without showing any major symptoms. Few epidemics are possible, as well as re-infection, although the three-day course guarantees immunity. This is because HHV-6 usually strikes in the first and second years of life and does not protect against HHV-7, to which a child becomes most vulnerable a year later.
Three-day symptoms
- A sudden onset of fever, which often rises to 40 degrees and remains at this level for three days.
- Antipyretic drugs quickly bring results, although when their effect wears off, the temperature rises again.
- Fever is often accompanied by redness of the throat or enlarged lymph nodes.
- As the temperature drops, there is a rash that covers the neck and trunk, and sometimes also the butt or legs. The erythema has a pink color, disappears after 1-2 days. The child does not experience itching or pain due to the rash.
How to help a child?
- Diagnosis should be made by a pediatrician, because before the rash of a three-day baby, parents will not be able to say with certainty that they are not dealing with pneumonia.
- Because three-day fever is not treated with antibiotics, and the disease passes on its own, symptomatic treatment remains.
- It is necessary to prevent convulsions resulting from fever, use medicines to lower it even in the maximum doses that have been established for a small child. However, if convulsions occur, call an ambulance immediately, and in case of respiratory problems, contact a doctor.
- You can increase the effectiveness of antipyretics by applying cool compresses or taking a bath with a maximum temperature of 2 degrees lower, otherwise there is a risk of shock.
- After lowering the temperature, the child quickly regains verve. Instead of vigorous play, occupy them at home with something calmer due to the weakening of the body.
- For a few days after the end of the three-day period, refrain from taking the baby to kindergarten or nursery, as well as from playing outdoors.
- Due to the fact that it is easy to lose water in the body with a fever, make sure that your child drinks enough water.
- Give your child boiled chicken meat or barley soup, it is important that the food during the illness is easily digestible.
- Do not force the baby to eat, the decrease in appetite with sore throat and fever is completely natural.