Fever in the baby - Christina Cherry

introduction

fever occurs frequently in children and occurs in the context of infections, but also at stress stimuli how "teething“Etc. on.
The normal one Body temperature of an infant lies between 36.5 and 37.5 °C. The smaller the children, the higher the body temperature. A baby does not normally speak of fever if it is less than 37.7 degrees in the morning or 38.2 degrees in the evening.
As "high temperature“One calls temperatures in the pediatrics to 38.3 °C. The standard value is slightly dependent on age and time of day: infants can also have temperature values of up to 37.8 ° C in the afternoon or evening without being immediately sick. The fever occurs from a temperature above 38.3 ° C and by definition goes up 39.8 ° C. Above this body temperature one speaks of a high fever.

General information about fever in the baby

Many parents fear that their children Get a fever. The main fear is permanent damage or damage, for example febrile seizure. Fever is harmless in most cases and one natural, sensible reaction of the body to invaded pathogens. At elevated temperatures, some chemical reactions can take place more quickly.

Some viruses and bacteria are significantly inhibited in their growth at temperatures above 38.5 ° C. Adults and older children suffer Fever much more as small children. Many of these still feel surprisingly good despite temperatures up to 40 ° C.

A lowering of fever is prescribed by the doctors if the affected child has additional symptoms such as whining, Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, Pain, not want to or can drink (especially in young children). Fever up to 41 ° C leaves permanent damage in the body only if there are other existing diseases that complicate the situation. Which includes cardiac defect, epileptic seizures or rare metabolic disorders.

Diagnosis of fever in the baby

The only reliable method is that rectal measurement, in the butt. All other methods are not much less precise, but the pediatrician prefers the rectal method because it shows the more accurate measurements even in the event of inflammation inside the body. The simple measurement in the ear using a ear thermometer is usually only used for orientation and requires correct handling.

A baby in the first 6 weeks of life must with a temperature increase about the 37.8°C in the afternoon immediately presented to a pediatrician become. It would also be enough if the baby behaved significantly differently than usual. By the fourth month of life, the child should be presented to a doctor if the temperature was permanently above 38.5 ° C. After that, it is not the height of the fever that is decisive, but the child’s symptoms.

Test fever in the baby

Does your baby show symptoms of fever? Take part in our self-test and answer the following 8 short questions. We create your individual result!

Click here for the test: Test fever in the baby

Febrile seizures in the baby

Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years can have a seizure Loss of consciousness suffer from high fever. The cramps almost always occur at fever rise the speed of the temperature rise is important.

The level of the fever does not matter. As a result, a febrile seizure is complete at the beginning of a febrile infection. The first appearance is therefore unpredictable and therefore hardly avoidable. The most important measures for the first febrile seizure are:

the emergency doctor notify
the Lower body temperature (cold wrap, open clothes)
such as fever suppository give

Fortunately, most febrile seizures end after a few minutes by itself. The children should still be presented to a doctor where they will be completely examined once in order not to overlook any risk factors that promote the occurrence of cramps. In addition, a emergency medicine provided.

Read more on the subject: fever fight

Fever after vaccination

A total of five to six vaccinations take place during the first year of life. These often consist of so-called combination vaccinations, i.e. immunization against various pathogens by vaccination. The best known example of this is MMR, a vaccination against mumps, measles and rubella.

As a result of vaccination, the body reacts in 20-30% of cases with an increase in body temperature. The fever can last for several days and can rise to 39 ° C. This represents a physiological, so body-designed response to vaccination During a vaccination, the body is exposed to certain parts of a pathogen and begins to work against it, especially by producing specific antibodies. It is therefore normal for this immune reaction to show a slight increase in temperature. So you don’t have to have concerns as parents. However, if the fever rises above 38.5 ° C, adequate therapy with antipyretic agents can be used, how paracetamol, think.

An increased body temperature can not only after MMR vaccination, but after various vaccinations for children occur and is mostly harmless as described above.

Whether you should contact your pediatrician or go to the hospital depends on the temperature and the behavior of the child during the fever.

When does one speak of fever?

From temperatures above 38.5 ° C one speaks of fever. The fever is a natural defense mechanism of the body. At high temperatures can bacteria and other pathogens multiply poorly and are prevented by the fever from spreading in the body.
It is therefore a very sensible reaction, which is why your baby’s fever should not always be lowered directly. In addition, the body temperature can be subject to fluctuations in the time of day, which can result in higher measurements in the evening than in the morning. Fever does not always indicate a serious illness, which is why it is not necessary to see a doctor for every fever in your baby.

Her own experiences and feelings play a major role here. See your doctor if your child is under three months old and has a temperature above 38.0 ° C. Children up to two years old should see a doctor if they have a fever for more than one day and older children if they have fever for more than three days. If the temperature cannot be reduced despite the fever-lowering measures that have already been carried out, or if the fever has been reduced, but your baby is still indifferent, this is also an occasion to see a doctor!

Does your baby show other signs of illness besides the fever like Vomit, diarrhea, Pain, Rashes in the baby or if you are in an unusually poor general condition with reluctance to drink and weakness, you should also seek help. In the case of the febrile seizure already mentioned, a medical clarification should definitely be carried out if it is the first cramp of your baby. Another point that should always let you see a doctor if your baby has a fever is her own worry and worry. Her own observations regarding her child’s behavior are particularly important and helpful for the doctor.

Read more on these topics: Vomiting in the baby and High temperature

Test fever in the baby

Does your baby show symptoms of fever? Take part in our self-test and answer the following 8 short questions. We create your individual result!

Click here for the test: Test fever in the baby

Therapy of fever in the baby

What to do if the baby has a fever?

In general, babies and toddlers fever faster than older children and adults.
This is mainly due to their still incomplete regulation of body temperature by the control centers in the brain due. So it can happen that strong thirst or warm blankets cause a fever in your baby.
The other way round, the fever can also be absent despite an infection. A baby’s normal body temperature is between 36.5 to 37.5 ° Celsius.

From 38.0 ° C one speaks of elevated values, from 38.5 ° C of fever, at values from 39 ° C of high fever.

Your baby’s fever is a sensible reaction from the body to ward off disease, which is why not every fever has to be lowered directly. Your baby’s reaction is more important than the temperature.
Drinking or eating laziness, weakness, crying and whimpering, apathy or other unusual behavior should the alarm bells ring at you; because your baby is really not doing well. If so, or are you scared yourself and not sure, look for it always see a doctor! But rest assured as long as your child behaves as usual despite a fever.

Otherwise, the following measures can be helpful for your baby’s uncomplicated fever:

Avoid heating the apartment unnecessarily
do not pack your child too thickly, but fall back on light clothing and thin blankets
ensure sufficiently cool, well-ventilated rooms.
a lukewarm bath can help your baby’s body to lower the temperature somewhat
Make sure that your baby drinks enough. A lot of fluid supports the body’s defense and prevents dehydration due to the high temperatures. Offer your baby breast milk, milk food, fruit juices, teas or soups.

Once your baby’s fever has reached its peak, antipyretic measures can be used, like traditional calf wraps. People who have a fever usually sweat a lot. Change your baby’s bedding and clothing several times a day. If the baby feels good next to the fever, it is not necessary to have a strict one bed rest and fasting comply.
Take short walks in the fresh air and give light meals. It is necessary to check your baby’s fever with a thermometer several times a day. (please refer: Measure fever)
There are various measuring devices, including the so-called Infrared – ear thermometer, the heat radiation from the eardrum and the surrounding tissue of the ear or electronic thermometers that are inserted into your baby’s bottom.

Tip: Lay your baby on its side and press the stomach against you. Put the fingers of one hand between both feet and bend them slightly. Then insert the thermometer approximately one centimeter deep into the bottom. Glass thermometers filled with mercury are no longer recommended these days.
If your baby has a very high fever and is in poor general condition, this can be a heavy burden for your child. If this is the case, see a doctor! Depending on the condition and behavior of your baby, you may need antipyretic drugs, how classic paracetamol suppositories are used to lower fever.

Caution! Aspirin for lowering fever is not suitable for children under the age of twelve, because it can cause severe liver-brain dysfunction, the so-called Reye syndrome. Rarely, febrile seizures can occur in babies. The decisive factor here is the speed at which the fever rises. For parents who are experiencing their baby’s febrile seizure for the first time, this is a terrible event.
The cramp usually lasts for that 20 to 30 seconds and hears then on its own. The children roll their eyes, involuntarily twitch or stop breathing, appear pale, are unresponsive or spit. The febrile seizure is probably due to immaturity of the brain and is basically nothing dramatic.
The children also don’t notice anything.

Important! Your child has such a febrile seizure, keep calm. Make some space so that it doesn’t hurt yourself, don’t hold it, and try too Not to give something to the child during the convulsion. It could suffocate! Children often experience such a febrile seizure only once. If it’s the first time, you should see a doctor and have the cause diagnosed to rule out other brain and nerve disorders. You should also see a doctor if your child has temperatures above 38.5 ° C or fever for more than one or two days in the first year of life, or if your baby is in generally poor condition and behaves abnormally. Otherwise, be patient and give your sick baby a lot of comfort and attention as well as rest.

Read more on this topic at: Fever baby – what to do?