What diseases cause fever in babies?

Each disease has its characteristics, and some are specifically associated with an outbreak of fever more or less strong. Many viral infections can cause a baby to have a fever. A child is said to have a fever when his temperature exceeds 38 ° C.

The flu: from the temperature to 39 or 40 ° C

The flu manifests itself in particular by respiratory discomfort in the baby, is accompanied by a strong outbreak of fever, which goes down very quickly and then rises again after a few days. In medical jargon, we call it the “influenza V”. The fever can reach 39-40 ° C. In the event of the flu, your pediatrician will prescribe treatment for various symptoms such as cough and fever medicine for your child.

Roseola, or sudden exanthema: fever for no reason then pimples

The sudden rash, also known as infantile roseola, is characterized by the appearance of small spots and a sudden fever, rising rapidly to 39-40 ° C. The child is usually in a feverish state for about three days. Sometimes the disease manifests itself exclusively in fever, without a rash. Regarding treatment, the sudden exanthema only requires a cure for the fever.

Chickenpox: small fever then rash

Before the well-known chickenpox rash, the child may have a low temperature, around 38 ° C. On the other hand, when it occurs in adulthood, this disease can cause certain complications and the fever can reach 40 ° C.

Scarlet fever: an outbreak of fever as the first symptom

Scarlet fever breaks out suddenly in the form of a high temperature around 39 ° C. You will also see painful swelling of the neck glands and severe sore throat. In fgeneral, fever falls after a week.

Nasopharyngitis: cough and fever around 38,5

Nasopharyngitis, which is inflammation of the upper part of the pharynx, manifests itself among other things by a fever around 38,5 ° C. Your child will be prescribed medicine to lower his temperature.

Rubella

Rubella starts with a rash. A symptom sometimes accompanied by a slight sore throat and a flare-up of fever. In case of rubella, and only if the child is feverish, only paracetamol is prescribed.

Measles, fever, but not only

In addition to a rash on the body and face, measles manifests as high fever, rhinitis, cough, and conjunctivitis. Your baby’s nose will also tend to runny. The watchword in case of measles: rest. The pediatrician will also prescribe medicine for the various symptoms for your child.

Know that the measles vaccination, injected in combination with that against mumps et rubella (MMR), is mandatory in children born from January 1, 2018. According to the recommendations of the immunization schedule, children should receive 2 doses of trivalent measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. The first dose is administered at 12 months regardless of the method of custody. The second dose between 16 and 18 months.

Fever in an infant: when to worry?

It is advisable to consult urgently if the baby is less than three months old, if the fever is above 40 ° C, if the child’s condition deteriorates (refusal of food, increased drowsiness, lethargic state, mottled skin, stiffness of neck, photosensitivity…), if baby becomes dehydrated, if his breathing is faster, jerky or with difficulty.

It is also advisable to consult a general practitioner or a pediatrician, without emergency this time, if the fever persists (without complications) for more than 2 days in a child under two years old, and more than three days in a child over two years, and / or despite treatment, and if it is accompanied by convulsions.