Questions such as how to reduce fever, how to measure fever and what is the normal temperature in babies are the most frequently asked questions in clinics.
Fever is a very general concept. Just as fever may be present in Kawasaki disease, which is not an infectious disease, fever may also be the only symptom in the 6th disease, a rash disease that affects children very frequently, or in meningitis, which is a very dangerous disease.
How High Should Fever Be in Babies?
Kissing or touching your baby's forehead can be considered a method. However, it is not an objective method. If you think you are hotter than normal, you should check it with a degree. Temperatures higher than normal body temperature are called fever.
Fever in babies is usually a sign that the body is fighting against infection. Feeling your baby's temperature, understanding the fever early and realizing how many degrees it is are important values in your child's treatment. Most doctors consider normal body temperature between 36.5 and 37.8. When you measure your temperature rectally, we consider 38.1 and above as fever.
Symptoms of High Fever - Serious Fever Symptoms
Seeing that the temperature is high is not the only indicator of whether the fever is serious or not.
Age is an important factor:
Fever is more serious in babies under 3 months.
The general behavior of the baby is another factor:
Your baby's normal behavior A high fever that does not prevent them from playing or feeding may not cause alarm. Remember that everyone's temperature rises in the afternoon and early evening and remains between midnight and early morning.
When to Call a Doctor for High Fever?
Mothers with their first babiesfever They may not know how to drop it, they may not know what to do. You're the best judge of whether your baby is truly sick, so call if you're worried, regardless of their fever. Your baby's doctor may also ask you for more detailed information.
Generally, if your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38 degrees C or higher, you should go to the doctor immediately. It says. A baby this young needs to be checked for serious infection or illness.
If your baby is 3 months old or older, the most important thing is how he looks and acts. If he looks well and is drinking fluids, the fever does not last more than 24 hours or is not very high, there is no need to consult a doctor.
In any other case; You may need to call immediately when your baby's fever reaches 39 degrees, regardless of symptoms. It is recommended that babies aged between 3 and 6 months should be taken to their doctor if they have a fever of 38.3°C or higher, even if they appear to be fine, and for babies older than 6 months, if they have a fever of 39°C or higher. Even if your child is well, you should immediately take him/her to your doctor if he/she has symptoms such as loss of appetite, cough, earache, vomiting and diarrhea.
Important Conditions Associated with Fever - You Should Take Him to the Doctor Immediately
- Your baby has symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. if it becomes somewhat pale or red.
- You notice an unexplained rash, which, combined with a fever, indicates a more serious problem.
- Small, purple-red spots or large patches that do not turn white or pale when you press on them. purple spots may indicate a very serious bacterial infection.
- Your baby feeling that you are having trouble breathing (trying hard to breathe or breathing faster than normal) This may be a sign of pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
- Your baby If you look sick and weak and your temperature is lower than normal, you should consult your doctor. (below 36 degrees C). Very young babies sometimes get cold instead of fever when they are sick.
How to Reduce Fever in Babies?
If your baby is under 3 months old, your doctor will ask you to bring him/her to be examined. You may be told not to give your baby fever-reducing medications until an accurate temperature reading is obtained.
If your baby is 3 months or older, is reasonably alert and taking fluids, and has no other symptoms indicating serious illness, the doctor should wait 24 hours before bringing him in. It may suggest you wait for an hour. Fever is often the first sign of the disease. If your baby is examined too early, the doctor may not find anything significant.
On the other hand, if your baby's fever is very high, he or she may be restless and uncomfortable. If the long fever does not affect his behavior, you do not need to give him anything to reduce it. Give plenty of breast milk or formula to prevent dehydration. If your baby's body temperature is higher than normal due to extra clothing or a hot day, remove some of the clothing and help him cool down by letting him rest or play quietly in a cool place.
Outside Medicine for Fever What Can Be Done?
The drug-free method of how to reduce fever, the method we use most is a warm shower. You can reduce your baby's fever by taking a warm bath with warm (lukewarm, not lukewarm) water. Never try to reduce the fever by applying alcohol or cologne to your baby. Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed through your skin into your baby's bloodstream. It can also cool him down very quickly, which can increase his temperature.
Fever in Babies Is Actually a Fighting Mechanism
Because it is part of the body's defense against bacteria and viruses, some researchers say that a high temperature makes the body more likely to fight infections. suggests that it could help him fight effectively. (Bacteria and viruses prefer an environment of about 98.6 degrees F/37 degrees C.) Fever tells the body to make more white blood cells and antibodies to fight infection.
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