You should know that fever is a body’s response against a wide variety of situations. The vast majority of these infections are in children, where the rise of temperature appears to play a defensive role. Therefore, fever is in itself a danger?, Should be treated at all costs?, Should their presence in the hearts? In the following step by step to answer these questions, but soon begin at the beginning.
1. When you think your child has a fever and wants to check their actual temperature, you should know:
What kind of thermometer is the most reliable? Undoubtedly, the digital. The mercury thermometer is a reliable measurement, but the risks of rupture, although rare, discourage their use today. We do also thermometers as the most sophisticated technology otic (ear) for the difficulty to obtain, in some cases, the actual temperature.
Where better to take the temperature? In our area (Spain and Latin countries), we will always refer to the axillary temperature. Rectal temperature, which is typically 0.5 ° C above the axillar not be measured under normal conditions. The temperature measured with a thermometer otic is closer to the rectum.
How long should wait for the final temperature? With conventional termonómetros, usually 3-5 minutes is sufficient. Some digital thermometers are faster, the otic are immediate.
2. Once the temperature must know also that if the fever comes to T º axillar is between 37.5 and 37.9 º C, and fever in excess of 38 º C. It is therefore considered a NORMAL temperature below 37.5 º C.
3. Always an infection is the cause of fever? Almost always. However, although rare, there may be other reasons. The only exception to this rule is found in newborns in whom the excess shelter can raise the temperature does not mean infection.
4. When considering the process as a feverish urgency? Fever should not be considered as an alarm symptom few exceptions (see below). Therefore, it makes no sense to run away to the nearest emergency department or desperate act to lower the temperature, the same should not worry too much just a fever that responds to antitérmicos. Why give them so little importance to these facts?
a) Most of the febrile infections are viral in origin and therefore are inconsequential.
b) Fever is considered a defense mechanism that can be beneficial.
c) Unfortunately, infections that cause fever (regardless of severity) may not give symptoms initially and the initial physical examination by a doctor to be strictly normal (fever of unknown origin). Similarly an analytical routine would initially be normal (at least in the first 6-12 hours of fever) as unfounded demand for “stay calm”.
Continuing with the above, it is not uncommon for a febrile infection remain without symptoms (fever of unknown origin) throughout its development and then disappear without a trace left of its origin.
d) Not usually, unless high temperatures in young children, the exact relationship between degree of fever and severity of the infection. A simple cold can give a high fever while meningitis can be expressed with temperatures below 39 º C.
Replying to the question above, you should consult immediately if your child:
has less than 3 months.
has a temperature above 40 º C
takes 4 days or more with a fever. This is not a sign of alarm, but must be consulted, but without haste, unless your pediatrician has given you other instructions.
suffers from severe chronic disease (heart malformations, immunodeficiency, cancer chemotherapy).
Alarm symptoms:
or
stiff neck frank: it can only be explored in children over 1 or 2 years and it works. It is said that there is stiff neck if the child is unable to hold a sheet of paper with the chin (closing the mouth) on the chest. However, the high fever can cause stiff neck down still need to verify that persists.
They pinpoint red spots that do not go away to stretch the surrounding skin. Vomiting and coughing repeatedly produce petechiae on the face and upper chest and not worry. Viral infections can also cause petechiae. So … When should you see immediately in the presence of petechial fever? if several (surround with a pen to ensure that they are progressive onset), and in case of vomiting, location beyond the limits described above. Although the most frequent causes of these are trivial petechiae (cough, viral infections, etc.) should be consulted immediately if there is further decline, to rule out serious infection and rapid progression.
or
significant decay. It must be said that the fever, however small it may be, may cause decay in children, only to be warned if the decline is significant and persists despite achieved by lowering the temperature below 37.5 º C.
5. Finally.
To control the temperature:
– What to do if there is fever (axillary temperature between 37.5 º C and 37.9 º C)? There is a mistaken tendency to treat it immediately with antitérmicos. Are sufficient, but unnecessary physical measurements: wet cloth on forehead, armpits, and English and / or bath with warm water (never cold).
– What to do if there is fever (axillary temperature greater than 38 º C)? Should have consulted with your doctor the right dose, depending on the weight of your child, the antitérmicos. Initially it is best handled with a single antitérmico that has few side effects such as Paracetamol. In most cases rebel Ibuprofen may be required. Another alternative is the more aggressive Dipyrone magnesium (magnesium metamizol =) whose use should be avoided except by prescription. Of course, one must not forget the physical.
Home monitoring. This is important in fever of unknown origin (without symptoms) who have few hours of development (first 12-24 hours). Should monitor if any of the above warning signs as really serious infections tend to face soon. When fever spikes are more than 24 hours of development, such surveillance should not be as rigorous as the probability that there is a serious infection is low.
Although we have emphasized the importance of the initial monitoring of a fever of unknown origin, also re-emphasize the need for calm in this situation and do not pretend to be an early and accurate diagnosis of the origin of it, this is not always possible and the vast majority of cases, infection causes no significance.
When using antibiotics? NEVER except under medical supervision and only if your pediatrician suspected bacterial infection (it is well known that viruses do not respond to antibiotics). The indiscriminate and unjustified use of them has been the cause of many bacteria become resistant to treatment of infectious diseases is, in some cases, difficult.
Tags: Fever