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What is infant fever?
In children aged four weeks to five years old, temperatures are best measured using an electronic thermometer in the armpit. ‘Fever strips’ applied to the forehead are not very accurate and most GP’s and hospitals now use infrared ear thermometers to measure temperatures.
Fever in a baby less than six months old is rare but a temperature higher than 38 ° C in a baby of less than three months old and a temperature of more than 39 ° C in a baby older than three months needs further medical advice .
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Causes and risk factors
In most cases a fever is the body's reaction to an acute viral or bacterial infection. Raising the temperature helps create an inhospitable environment for viral or bacterial invaders, it also stimulates the production of disease-fighting white blood cells. The body's temperature control system is not well developed in babies. Over wrapping and keeping the house too warm is the most common reason for babies to become overheated, other than infection.
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Symptoms
Symptoms of a fever vary but the baby or child can look flushed and feel hot. They will often be lethargic and off their food. Crying may be persistent. Their breathing rate may be faster than normal or there may be difficulty breathing. An older child may have wheezing or coughing symptoms. If there is any rash, or neck stiffness, seek urgent medical advice, to rule out meningitis. A pale, floppy baby who is not responding normally needs a 999 call.
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Treatment and prevention
Dehydration is a risk for infants, and a feverish baby should always be given lots of fluids. A child with a temperature of less than 102 F (38.8 °C) does not always require immediate medical attention. The child should be observed, and help sought if the symptoms appear to get worse, or the fever does not subside within 24 hours.
A child with a temperature of 102 F or higher should be given paracetamol, or ibuprofen. Both these medications have a pain relieving and anti-fever action. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted for a recommended dose. A doctor's advice should always be sought for a child whose temperature is 104 F (40 °C) or higher. Children should not be given aspirin. Several studies link aspirin use in children with reye's syndrome, a severe illness that often is fatal.
Febrile convulsion
Occasionally, a child with a fever will have a seizure. This is called a febrile convulsion, and it demands immediate attention from a doctor. The seizures do not seem to be related to the height of the fever, or to the rapidity with which it rises, but a small number of children seem to be predisposed to attacks.
About 50 per cent of the children who suffer one febrile seizure will go on to have another one. About 33 per cent will have a third one. They are rare in children over toddler age.
While waiting for a doctor or ambulance to arrive, it is important to follow basic instructions:
In children aged four weeks to five years old, temperatures are best measured using an electronic thermometer in the armpit. ‘Fever strips’ applied to the forehead are not very accurate and most GP’s and hospitals now use infrared ear thermometers to measure temperatures.
Fever in a baby less than six months old is rare but a temperature higher than 38 ° C in a baby of less than three months old and a temperature of more than 39 ° C in a baby older than three months needs further medical advice .
Top
Causes and risk factors
In most cases a fever is the body's reaction to an acute viral or bacterial infection. Raising the temperature helps create an inhospitable environment for viral or bacterial invaders, it also stimulates the production of disease-fighting white blood cells. The body's temperature control system is not well developed in babies. Over wrapping and keeping the house too warm is the most common reason for babies to become overheated, other than infection.
Top
Symptoms
Symptoms of a fever vary but the baby or child can look flushed and feel hot. They will often be lethargic and off their food. Crying may be persistent. Their breathing rate may be faster than normal or there may be difficulty breathing. An older child may have wheezing or coughing symptoms. If there is any rash, or neck stiffness, seek urgent medical advice, to rule out meningitis. A pale, floppy baby who is not responding normally needs a 999 call.
Top
Treatment and prevention
Dehydration is a risk for infants, and a feverish baby should always be given lots of fluids. A child with a temperature of less than 102 F (38.8 °C) does not always require immediate medical attention. The child should be observed, and help sought if the symptoms appear to get worse, or the fever does not subside within 24 hours.
A child with a temperature of 102 F or higher should be given paracetamol, or ibuprofen. Both these medications have a pain relieving and anti-fever action. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted for a recommended dose. A doctor's advice should always be sought for a child whose temperature is 104 F (40 °C) or higher. Children should not be given aspirin. Several studies link aspirin use in children with reye's syndrome, a severe illness that often is fatal.
Febrile convulsion
Occasionally, a child with a fever will have a seizure. This is called a febrile convulsion, and it demands immediate attention from a doctor. The seizures do not seem to be related to the height of the fever, or to the rapidity with which it rises, but a small number of children seem to be predisposed to attacks.
About 50 per cent of the children who suffer one febrile seizure will go on to have another one. About 33 per cent will have a third one. They are rare in children over toddler age.
While waiting for a doctor or ambulance to arrive, it is important to follow basic instructions:
- Stay with the child and talk reassuringly if they are conscious and responding
- Lie the child on their side, in case they are sick
- Watch for changes in breathing, and make sure that any dummies or food is taken out of their mouth in case they choke
- Loosen any clothing and remove any outer clothing as this will help bring their temperature down
- Don't panic; febrile convulsions are very frightening to witness but very rarely cause any significant problems for the child