FEVER is one of the most common complaints in children and it worries parents a lot. This concern leads to incorrect practices and makes the treatment of the disease difficult. This condition is called fear of fire (FEVER PHOBIA) in medicine. Fever is not a disease, it is a beneficial response of the body to fight disease-causing microbes. It has been scientifically shown that some microbes die at certain degrees of fever.
In this article, I will explain the correct temperature monitoring in children.
In general, body temperature exceeding 37.5 oC is considered fever. It is possible to measure temperature from different areas; armpit, skin, ear etc. Scientific sources show that fever is beneficial up to 38.5 or even 39 oC. Unless there is a special situation, allowing the fever to reach 38.5 or even 39 oC and not reducing the fever will facilitate the treatment of the disease. At this point, special situations need to be mentioned.
1) Fever can be treated earlier in children with a history of febrile seizures. Although it has been scientifically shown that reducing fever does not prevent febrile seizures, early intervention is recommended.
2) In case of fever in young children (especially under 6 months), a pediatrician should be consulted immediately.
3 ) Additionally, in children with chronic diseases (immune system disorder, congenital heart disease, neurological disease, lung disease, etc.), it is recommended to treat fever early and consult a pediatrician immediately. It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately in cases of vomiting more than 2 times, extreme weakness or restlessness, more than 3 episodes of profuse diarrhea, respiratory distress - wheezing, rash that does not fade when pressed, abdominal or headache that does not cause sleep, etc. At this point, I tell my patients: Especially in children under the age of 3, within the scope of the "MOTHERS FEEL" experience, if the mother says that this child is not well, one should go to the emergency room immediately. Young children can get worse very quickly, even minutes can be important, we should not delay.
Except for these special cases, appropriate temperature monitoring is the right thing for our children without fear of fever. Before measuring the temperature, the room temperature should be 20-21 oC and you should not be wearing too thick clothing.
Practically speaking, we measured the temperature of the child, who had no special condition, and it was 38.5 oC. First we need to check the room temperature and reduce his clothing by one layer. In the meantime, we can cool our hands, feet and forehead with water. Drinking plenty of water is very important in reducing fever. Despite these precautions, if the temperature exceeds 38.5 oC in the measurement after 15-30 minutes, it would be appropriate to first give an antipyretic containing Paracetamol in a dose appropriate to its weight. If the fever does not fall below 38.5 oC within 45-60 minutes despite paracetamol, ibuprofen can be given as an antipyretic at a dose appropriate to its weight, after 1 hour for one time. Afterwards, the interval between 2 paracetamol cannot be less than 4-6 hours, and the interval between 2 ibuprofen cannot be less than 6-8 hours. At this point, we should not forget that every drug is poison, paracetamol can damage the liver, and ibuprofen can cause stomach bleeding and kidney failure. Let's not get the wrong message here, we will not use these drugs unnecessarily, of course we will use them appropriately when necessary. If the fever is still above 39 oC 30-60 minutes after giving ibuprofen, a warm shower can be taken (the temperature of the water should be 30-32 oC). If the fever does not go down despite a warm shower, it is necessary to go to the emergency room and further examination should be done. In case of very high fever (over 40 C), a warm shower can be taken immediately.
2 symptoms of fear of fire; 1) measuring temperature frequently and 2) giving antipyretic medication frequently. It is right for our children to comply with the above-mentioned periods without panicking about this issue. Otherwise, medications may harm our child. Finally, not every child with a high fever requires antibiotics. Panicking and starting unnecessary antibiotics will worsen the situation. Recent scientific studies have shown that unnecessary use of antibiotics disrupts the intestines, reduces immunity and even negatively affects brain development. Do not insist on unnecessary antibiotics.
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