What are the characteristics of prolonged fever in children. How does it differ from short-term fever. What are the potential risks and complications associated with prolonged fever in children. How should parents and healthcare providers manage cases of prolonged fever in pediatric patients.

Understanding Prolonged Fever in Children: Definition and Prevalence

Prolonged or persistent fever in children is typically defined as a fever lasting 5 days or longer. A prospective observational study conducted across 12 European emergency departments found that 10.6% of febrile children presenting to the ED had fever lasting 5 days or more. This significant prevalence highlights the importance of understanding the characteristics, risks, and management of prolonged fever in pediatric patients.

How is prolonged fever defined in children?

Prolonged fever in children is generally defined as:

• A fever (temperature above 38°C or 100.4°F) that persists for 5 days or longer
• Fever that does not respond to standard fever-reducing medications
• Recurrent fevers with periods of normal temperature in between

Increased Risk of Serious Bacterial Infections in Children with Prolonged Fever

The study revealed a higher incidence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in children with prolonged fever compared to those with shorter duration fevers. Specifically, 8.4% of children with fever lasting 5 days or more had an SBI, versus 4.5% in children with fever lasting less than 5 days. This nearly two-fold increase in SBI risk underscores the need for careful evaluation of children presenting with prolonged fever.

What types of serious bacterial infections are more common in children with prolonged fever?

Common serious bacterial infections associated with prolonged fever in children include:

1. Urinary tract infections
2. Pneumonia
3. Bacteremia (bloodstream infections)
4. Meningitis
5. Osteomyelitis (bone infections)
6. Endocarditis

Non-Specific Symptoms and Warning Signs in Prolonged Pediatric Fever

Children with prolonged fever may present with a variety of non-specific symptoms that can make diagnosis challenging. However, certain warning signs may indicate a higher risk of serious illness. Healthcare providers must be vigilant in assessing these symptoms and signs to guide appropriate management and treatment decisions.

What are common non-specific symptoms in children with prolonged fever?

Non-specific symptoms that may accompany prolonged fever include:

• Fatigue and lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Irritability
• Generalized body aches
• Headache
• Mild gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

Which warning signs should prompt immediate medical attention in children with prolonged fever?

Parents and caregivers should seek immediate medical care if a child with prolonged fever exhibits:

• Severe headache or neck stiffness
• Persistent vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Unusual rashes, especially those that don’t blanch under pressure
• Changes in mental status or excessive drowsiness
• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, decreased urination)

The Role of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Assessing Prolonged Fever

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important biomarker used in the evaluation of children with prolonged fever. The study examined the diagnostic accuracy of CRP levels in predicting serious bacterial infections among children with fever lasting 5 days or more.

How does CRP help in the assessment of children with prolonged fever?

CRP levels can provide valuable information in the following ways:

• Elevated CRP levels (typically above 40-50 mg/L) may indicate a higher likelihood of bacterial infection
• CRP levels can help differentiate between viral and bacterial causes of prolonged fever
• Serial CRP measurements can be used to monitor response to treatment
• Normal or mildly elevated CRP levels may suggest a lower risk of serious bacterial infection, but should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings

Management Strategies for Children with Prolonged Fever

The management of children with prolonged fever requires a thoughtful and systematic approach. While many cases may resolve on their own, healthcare providers must be prepared to identify and treat more serious underlying conditions.

What are the key components of managing a child with prolonged fever?

Effective management of prolonged fever in children includes:

1. Thorough history and physical examination
2. Appropriate laboratory testing, including complete blood count, CRP, and cultures as indicated
3. Imaging studies when necessary (e.g., chest X-ray for suspected pneumonia)
4. Symptomatic treatment with antipyretics and hydration
5. Close monitoring and follow-up
6. Antibiotic therapy when a bacterial infection is identified or strongly suspected
7. Consideration of referral to a specialist for complex or unclear cases

Differential Diagnosis: Beyond Bacterial Infections in Prolonged Pediatric Fever

While serious bacterial infections are a primary concern in children with prolonged fever, it’s crucial to consider other potential causes. The differential diagnosis for persistent fever in children is broad and includes various infectious and non-infectious etiologies.

What are some non-bacterial causes of prolonged fever in children?

Non-bacterial causes of prolonged fever may include:

• Viral infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus)
• Kawasaki disease
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Malignancies (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Periodic fever syndromes
• Drug fever

The Importance of Follow-Up and Monitoring in Prolonged Pediatric Fever

Given the potential for serious underlying conditions and the dynamic nature of prolonged fever in children, close follow-up and monitoring are essential components of management. This approach allows for timely adjustments to treatment plans and helps ensure optimal outcomes for pediatric patients.

How should healthcare providers approach follow-up for children with prolonged fever?

Effective follow-up strategies for children with prolonged fever include:

1. Scheduled reassessments, either in-person or via telemedicine
2. Clear instructions for parents on when to seek immediate medical attention
3. Monitoring of fever patterns and response to antipyretics
4. Repeat laboratory testing as indicated
5. Adjusting treatment plans based on clinical course and test results
6. Consideration of additional diagnostic studies if fever persists without a clear etiology
7. Coordinating care with specialists when needed

Parental Education and Home Care for Children with Prolonged Fever

Empowering parents and caregivers with knowledge and skills to manage prolonged fever at home is crucial. While medical evaluation is important, much of the care for children with persistent fever occurs outside of healthcare settings. Proper education can help parents provide appropriate care and recognize when to seek additional medical attention.

What guidance should be provided to parents caring for a child with prolonged fever at home?

Key points for parental education regarding home care of children with prolonged fever include:

• Proper use of fever-reducing medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) and their dosing
• Importance of maintaining hydration and monitoring fluid intake
• Methods for accurately measuring and recording temperature
• Recognizing signs of dehydration and other concerning symptoms
• When to contact healthcare providers or seek emergency care
• Strategies for comfort measures (e.g., cool compresses, appropriate clothing)
• Importance of rest and limiting activities during illness

By providing comprehensive care that includes careful evaluation, appropriate diagnostic testing, targeted treatment, and thorough parental education, healthcare providers can effectively manage children with prolonged fever and minimize the risk of complications from serious underlying conditions. The higher incidence of serious bacterial infections in this population underscores the need for vigilance and a systematic approach to assessment and management.

Are children with prolonged fever at a higher risk for serious illness? A prospective observational study

Article Text

Article menu

• Article
  Text
• Article
  info
• Citation
  Tools
• Share
• Rapid Responses
• Article
  metrics
• Alerts

PDF

Paediatric emergency medicine

Are children with prolonged fever at a higher risk for serious illness? A prospective observational study

1. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9671-8161Ruud G Nijman1,2,3,
2. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1148-9716Chantal D Tan4,
3. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9237-4904Nienke N Hagedoorn4,
4. Daan Nieboer5,
5. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6941-6491Jethro Adam Herberg2,
6. Anda Balode6,
7. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8411-1071Ulrich von Both7,8,
8. Enitan D Carrol9,10,
9. Irini Eleftheriou11,
10. Marieke Emonts12,13,14,
11. Michiel van der Flier15,16,17,
12. Ronald de Groot16,17,
13. http://orcid. org/0000-0003-0685-689XBenno Kohlmaier18,
14. Emma Lim12,19,
15. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9023-581XFederico Martinón-Torres20,
16. Marko Pokorn21,
17. Franc Strle21,
18. Maria Tsolia11,
19. Shunmay Yeung22,
20. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4093-8509Joany M Zachariasse4,
21. Dace Zavadska6,
22. Werner Zenz18,
23. Michael Levin2,
24. Clementien L Vermont23,
25. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9304-3322Henriette A Moll4,
26. Ian K Maconochie1
27. On behalf of PERFORM consortium

1. ¹Department of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Division of Medicine, St. Mary’s hospital – Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
2. ²Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
3. ³Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
4. ⁴Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
5. ⁵Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
6. ⁶Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Rīgas Stradiņa Universitāte, Riga, Latvia
7. ⁷Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
8. ⁸Partner site Munich, German Centre for Infection Research, Munich, Germany
9. ⁹Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
10. ¹⁰Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
11. ¹¹Second Department of Paediatrics, P & A Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
12. ¹²Paediatric Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Allergy, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
13. ¹³Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
14. ¹⁴NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
15. ¹⁵Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
16. ¹⁶Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
17. ¹⁷Section Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
18. ¹⁸Department of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
19. ¹⁹Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
20. ²⁰Genetics, Vaccines, Infections and Paediatrics Research group (GENVIP), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
21. ²¹Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
22. ²²Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Tropical and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
23. ²³Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands

1. Correspondence to Dr Ruud G Nijman, Department of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W2 1NY, UK; r. nijman{at}imperial.ac.uk

Abstract

Objectives To describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of children with fever ≥5 days presenting to emergency departments (EDs).

Design Prospective observational study.

Setting 12 European EDs.

Patients Consecutive febrile children <18 years between January 2017 and April 2018.

Interventions Children with fever ≥5 days and their risks for serious bacterial infection (SBI) were compared with children with fever <5 days, including diagnostic accuracy of non-specific symptoms, warning signs and C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/L).

Main outcome measures SBI and other non-infectious serious illness.

Results 3778/35 705 (10.6%) of febrile children had fever ≥5 days. Incidence of SBI in children with fever ≥5 days was higher than in those with fever <5 days (8.4% vs 5.7%). Triage urgency, life-saving interventions and intensive care admissions were similar for fever ≥5 days and <5 days. Several warning signs had good rule in value for SBI with specificities >0.90, but were observed infrequently (range: 0.4%–17%). Absence of warning signs was not sufficiently reliable to rule out SBI (sensitivity 0.92 (95% CI 0.87–0.95), negative likelihood ratio (LR) 0.34 (0.22–0.54)). CRP <20 mg/L was useful for ruling out SBI (negative LR 0.16 (0.11–0.24)). There were 66 cases (1.7%) of non-infectious serious illnesses, including 21 cases of Kawasaki disease (0.6%), 28 inflammatory conditions (0.7%) and 4 malignancies.

Conclusion Children with prolonged fever have a higher risk of SBI, warranting a careful clinical assessment and diagnostic workup. Warning signs of SBI occurred infrequently but, if present, increased the likelihood of SBI. Although rare, clinicians should consider important non-infectious causes of prolonged fever.

• Child Health
• Emergency Care
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Medicine
• Paediatric Emergency Medicine

Data availability statement

Data are available in a public, open access repository. Data are available in a public, open access repository. A data set containing individual participant data will be made available in a public data repository containing a specific DOI. The data will be anonymised and will not contain any identifiable data. The data manager of the PERFORM consortium can be contacted for inquiries ([email protected]).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2023-325343

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

• Child Health
• Emergency Care
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Medicine
• Paediatric Emergency Medicine

Data availability statement

Data are available in a public, open access repository. Data are available in a public, open access repository. A data set containing individual participant data will be made available in a public data repository containing a specific DOI. The data will be anonymised and will not contain any identifiable data. The data manager of the PERFORM consortium can be contacted for inquiries ([email protected]).

View Full Text

Footnotes

• Twitter @rgnijman, @CarrolEnitan, @BennoKohlmaier

• Collaborators Members of the Personalised Risk Assessment in Febrile Illness to Optimise Real-life Management across the European Union (PERFORM) consortium are provided in online supplemental file 1.

• Contributors Conceptualisation, design, funding: RGN, CDT, NNH, JMZ, DN, JAH, AB, UvB, EC, IE, ME, MvdF, RdG, BK, EL, IM, FM-T, MP, FS, MT, SY, DZ, WZ, ML, CV, HAM, IKM. Data curation: RGN, CDT, NNH, JMZ, DN, JAH, AB, UvB, EC, IE, ME, MvdF, RdG, BK, EL, FM-T, MP, FS, MT, SY, DZ, WZ, ML, CV, HAM, IKM. Formal analysis: RGN, CDT. Methodology: RGN, CDT, NNH, JMZ, DN, JAH, AB, UvB, EC, IE, ME, MvdF, RdG, BK, EL, FM-T, MP, FS, MT, SY, DZ, WZ, ML, CV, HAM, IKM. Supervision: RGN, HAM, IKM, CDT. Writing—original draft: RGN, HAM, IKM, CDT. Writing—review and editing: RGN, CDT, NNH, JMZ, DN, JAH, AB, UvB, EC, IE, ME, MvdF, RdG, BK, EL, FM-T, MP, FS, MT, SY, DZ, WZ, ML, CV, HAM, IKM. Guarantor: RGN.

• Funding This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No 668303). The research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centres at Imperial College London, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. RGN was funded by NIHR ACL award (ACL-2018-021-007).

• Competing interests None declared.

• Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

• Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.

Read the full text or download the PDF:

Subscribe

Log in using your username and password

For personal accounts OR managers of institutional accounts

Username *

Password *

Forgot your log in details?Register a new account?

Forgot your user name or password?

Read the full text or download the PDF:

Subscribe

Log in using your username and password

For personal accounts OR managers of institutional accounts

Username *

Password *

Forgot your log in details?Register a new account?

Forgot your user name or password?

The Child With Persistent Fever

Subspecialist Consult

Publish date: May 1, 2010

By

pdnews@elsevier. com

Ask about fever duration during your history taking. The main question is how to define “persistent.” If the fever lasts fewer than 5 days and everything else looks fine, most of the time the child will have whatever illness is going around.

If the fever lasts closer to 10 days, and especially if new symptoms appear, it could be a complication of what is going around. Obviously, once you go beyond 10 days, it is a more significant clinical situation. Then we are in the “fever of unknown origin” (FUO) range, which may require a subspecialist evaluation. The current official definition of FUO is fever lasting greater than 3 weeks with no diagnosis after reasonable outpatient or inpatient evaluation. Shorter episodes of unexplained fever are referred to as “fever without a source.” Most of these will resolve spontaneously or evolve into more easily recognized conditions, usually infections.

The best way to proceed really depends on the presentation. The initial evaluation always includes a careful history, physical examination, and screening labs as needed. Start a more thorough evaluation or refer when things are not adding up. How sick does the child look? Are there atypical findings? Remember your training about the typical course of strep throat, mono, or bronchitis—if you see a significant deviation, evaluate the child more thoroughly. Always ask: Do I have a reasonable working diagnosis that I am comfortable with?

Fever is a common symptom and most often is a feature of a routine viral infection. The bigger concern is a serious condition, such as a bloodstream infection; this child needs to get to the emergency room right away. A child with an unusual rash, especially with petechiae and purpura, would need an immediate referral.

Kawasaki disease is another major concern. If you suspect Kawasaki disease, the child needs to be evaluated by a subspecialist. The diagnosis is based on a fever lasting at least 4 or 5 days and associated findings, such as a rash, red strawberry tongue, or very red lips. The patient will need immediate treatment, ideally within 10 days, to minimize the risk for cardiac and coronary inflammation.

Helpful tests include a complete blood count, sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein assay. Serum chemistries including liver function tests also may be useful. I do a urinalysis and a urine culture because urinary tract infections are common and a common cause of fever. Blood cultures should be considered.

These screening tests can be reassuring. When the clinical evaluation is benign, the white blood cell count is 5,000 cells/mcL with a normal differential; then you can tell the parent to come back in a few days for follow-up. In contrast, if a child with a persistent fever has a white count of 30,000, you really have to be more careful—it could be a sinus infection, pneumonia, or bacteremia. The other extreme, a child with a white blood count of 1,000, also requires more careful evaluation.

The pace of evaluation depends on how ill the child is, any associated findings, and whether one has a diagnosis or not. Time is your ally when the child is not very ill; watchful waiting will often reveal the nature of the problem.

It is important to take a good travel history. We saw a child with malaria last year, and the key to recognition was the history of a recent return from Ghana. Also ask about animal exposures and if anyone else at home is sick. Those can be important clinical clues for diagnosis of a child with prolonged fever.

Consider the time of year. A test that is not useful, but is often obtained, is a Lyme disease test. Lyme is rarely a cause of prolonged fever, especially in winter. Also, sometimes an extensive evaluation for autoimmune disease is performed too early in the diagnostic process. If you do an initial evaluation and do not have a diagnosis, and the fever persists, then you can move on to secondary and tertiary evaluations, such as you would with an FUO. Also, tests for mono are ordered way too often. The diagnosis of mono depends on more than a prolonged fever, and there are some very specific associated features, such as tonsils that look awful, large cervical nodes, and a palpable spleen.

Make sure the fever is real. Sometimes we see a child who reports persistent fever but is afebrile during each clinical visit. In this case, ask the parents how they take the child’s temperature. Do they use a thermometer strip, or do they just touch the child and say the child feels warm? There should be some documentation of a persistent fever before you embark on additional, expensive evaluation.

Pages

• 1
• 2
• last »

Recommended Reading

Tips to Save Your Practice Money Now

MDedge Pediatrics

FDA Advises Clinicians To Suspend Rotarix Use

MDedge Pediatrics

Interferon-Gamma TB Tests Not Ready for Widespread Use

MDedge Pediatrics

Vaccine Found to Decrease Admissions for Rotavirus

MDedge Pediatrics

Nosocomial C. difficile Surpasses MRSA in Study

MDedge Pediatrics

Clostridium difficile Infections May Be Increasing

MDedge Pediatrics

Watch Out for Animal Bites

MDedge Pediatrics

LDH Levels May Help to Determine Bronchiolitis Severity

MDedge Pediatrics

Mandating Flu Shots Gets the Job Done

MDedge Pediatrics

Flu Shots for School-Age Kids Confers Herd Immunity

MDedge Pediatrics

Causes and treatment of white fever in a child – articles from JSC Meditsina

Children’s clinic JSC “Medicina”
(clinic of Academician Roitberg)

Sign up for
doctor

White fever in a child: what does it mean? This phenomenon consists in the fact that the patient’s temperature rises sharply (up to 39 ° C), while the skin of this person, including the child, acquires a pale (that is, white) tint. Although in general a rise in temperature is a positive phenomenon, since in this way the body fights an infection, white fever in a child is a symptom that has a negative meaning. Along with getting rid of harmful viruses and bacteria, this condition can be harmful to the health of the patient.

In general, older relatives are aware of how to deal with fever, and if this symptom occurs on its own, they often call a doctor. But since it can have a certain specific origin, you still need to contact a specialist to establish the original cause of what is happening.

Causes of white fever in children

The cause of white fever in a child is a certain disease or other harm to health, the fever itself in this case acts as a reaction to what happened to the child.

One of the cases is the appearance of an infection in the body of a small patient, and then the body reacts to it in a similar way. White fever in a child very often becomes a consequence of such a common disease as SARS. In addition, various types of trauma, swelling, burns, swelling and hemorrhage will become a prerequisite for it.

Significant emotional stress of a stressful nature can also lead to this manifestation. It is quite capable of leading to white fever in a child and intense pain shock.

In general, there are five key conditions that can cause this condition in a young patient:

• infection in the acute stage;
• virus infection, if the patient has a respiratory disease, then such a symptom may appear on the first day;
• bacterial infection for which the wrong therapy was carried out;
• disease caused by inflammation, including pneumonia, otitis media, tonsillitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis;
• diseases of a somatic nature (both chronic and acute).

Symptoms of white fever in children

White fever in a child occurs in three stages.

• Baby’s initial sudden rise in temperature.
• Subsequent stabilization of this indicator.
• Drop in temperature to normal (can be either abrupt or gradual).

Among the symptoms of this condition, mention should be made of fever, although the child’s hands and feet feel cold. The skin of the baby is pale, and if you click on a certain area, then a white spot on it remains for a long time. The reason is that due to a strong spasm in this area, a violation of blood circulation occurs.

A small patient is lethargic and weak, he does not want to eat. Arrhythmia may also occur, the baby’s body may undergo dehydration.

It is worth remembering that these symptoms indicate that the child’s immune system is launched into action, as a result, the body, raising the temperature to 38.5 or 39? C, ensures that the protein of foreign origin that enters the system from the outside coagulates. The problem is that white fever is a dangerous disease, because if this temperature is maintained for a certain time, convulsions can begin, and dehydration will also occur. As a result, the child’s life is in danger.

In general, this condition is most common in children between birth and three years of age.

When should I see a doctor?

It makes sense to consult a doctor if the temperature persists for a long time, not wanting to subside. Also, an alarming symptom will be the general weakness of the child and a violation of his breathing. If the condition of a small patient is of concern, you need to call a pediatrician.

In the most severe cases of white fever in a child, the doctor can best determine what to do about the condition. Of course, in many cases, parents prefer to deal with the temperature on their own, but it is the doctor who will be able to accurately determine its causes and develop optimal actions.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of white fever requires a re-measurement of temperature to record that it has reached the mark of 38.5 or 39? It is also required to check his palms and feet to find out if they are cold (this is what is a symptom of this condition).

Treatment

It must be clearly established that this is indeed a dangerous white fever. Treatment of a child in the case when his temperature just rose to 38.5 or 39?C, may not be required if he feels relatively comfortable in this situation.

The room in which the patient remains must in any case be simply warm, not hot. It is necessary that the air is humidified, it is not required to wrap the baby.

Drink should be given to him in plenty, and food – when he wants. Moreover, even if the baby refrains from eating food for quite a long time, it is still impossible to force him to eat. If the child already does not have enough strength, then all the remaining ones can be spent on digesting the incoming food, which will not improve his condition. The recommended drink is various fruit drinks and raspberry jam diluted in water, you can also give water, the main thing is that it all be warm, not hot. But, for example, such a very popular combination as milk and honey, in fact, in the event of a sharp increase in temperature is not recommended. The reason is that the milk curdles inside.

Since the treatment of white fever in a child should be, first of all, by combating the fever. The temperature, when it rises above 39 degrees, should be brought down by giving the child an antipyretic.

Preparations for white fever will be prescribed to the child by a doctor invited by the parents, who will first determine the cause of the condition of the little patient.

• If a sharp rise in temperature occurred due to an infection that is of bacterial origin, then antibiotics should be prescribed to the child, but an antipyretic is not required, since they can bring down the temperature itself, but this will only disguise the fact that it was not possible to cope with the cause.
• Also, the doctor can prescribe both an antipyretic and a second drug, the function of which is to influence the source of the disease, in particular, it can be antiviral, as well as cough medicine.

It should be borne in mind that the action of the antipyretic takes time. If only half an hour has passed after taking it, then with a high probability the temperature simply will not have time to fall. It makes sense to wait for several hours, and after that it will drop in most cases.

At the same time, a drop in this indicator in a child from 39? to 38? C will be quite acceptable, it will not be bad, and if it falls by half a degree, this will also mean that the body is coping with white fever. At the same time, it is not worth stuffing the baby with antipyretics again, after he was given the amount that was prescribed by the doctor. An overdose of these drugs can cause hypothermia when the child’s temperature falls below 36.6°C.

You can also wipe your baby with a damp sponge, but do not rub it with alcohol. This compound negatively affects the body of a small patient. If it is abused, then intoxication can occur as a result, after which its condition will only worsen.

It is also desirable that the parents or other older relatives remain close to the child. The fever in the case when the child is alone is exacerbated by the fear that he experiences in such a situation. When an adult is with him, it has a beneficial effect on him, after which his condition improves.

How to make an appointment with a pediatrician

If the situation has become urgent, you can already dial an ambulance from our clinic, the phone number of which is +7 (495) 775-73-60. You can also contact us through our website using the feedback form.

The employees of our medical center act as quickly as possible. Especially when it comes to an emergency that requires urgent hospitalization. The clinic carries out diagnostics and immediately prescribes the optimal method of treatment that will help your child overcome all the difficulties of the disease as quickly as possible.

Make an appointment

Leave your phone number and we will help you.

12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

I consent to the processing of the personal data specified by me for the purpose of processing applications (appointments) on the terms of processing personal data in accordance with
“Personal data processing policy in JSC “Medicina”.

Licenses and certificates

Fever in children

“When children are sick,
There is no peace in anything.
The light goes out on the planet,
And the house freezes,
And the nerves together with the blood
Burn in confusion,
Please, Lord, health
For the little guys

Celestial Love

A child is the greatest asset a parent has . That is why we cannot find a place for ourselves when our children are sick.

Quite often, childhood illnesses are accompanied by fever, which causes certain difficulties for parents. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to behave properly when a child has a temperature. Trying to alleviate the suffering of their child, parents very often unreasonably use antipyretic drugs, try to dress warmer, cover with a warm blanket and drink hot tea.

What is the right thing to do when a child has a high temperature?

To begin with, let’s figure out what temperature is normal.

Body temperature in the axillary region in children of different ages can vary in the range of 35.1-37.4 ^o C. A feature of childhood is body temperature fluctuations during the day by 0.5 ^o C with maximum values ​​in the evening time.

It must be remembered that an increase in temperature is a signal of an inflammatory process in the body, which our body is able to cope with on its own. And if during this period we take antipyretic drugs, then we block the protective reaction of the body and contribute to the development of the disease. Therefore, antipyretic drugs should be taken only when a critical temperature threshold is reached, and in no case on an ongoing basis. In addition, the course of taking these drugs will not allow the doctor to notice the addition of a bacterial infection.

The generally accepted criterion for taking antipyretic drugs is an increase in body temperature above 38.5 ^to C, except for:

• Children under 3 months
• Children at risk (malformations and diseases of the heart, lungs; damage to the nervous system; febrile convulsions)

In this case, antipyretic drugs are recommended to be taken at a temperature above 38 ^o C, and sometimes even at 37. 5 ^o C

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are used to reduce fever in children according to WHO recommendations.

Paracetamol (cefecon, efferalgan, panadol) – has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. It is used in children from 1 month of age. A single dose is 10-15 mg/kg, no more than 60 mg/kg per day. It is possible to take the drug 3-4 times a day. The antipyretic effect occurs in 1.5-2 hours. The drug has various forms of release (rectal suppositories, syrup, tablets), which allows it to be used in children of different ages.

Ibuprofen (ibufen) – has antipyretic, analgesic and moderately anti-inflammatory effect. It is used in children from 3 months of age. A single dose is 5-10 mg/kg, the maximum daily dose is 30 mg/kg. The drug, if necessary, is taken at intervals of 6-8 hours. It has two forms of release – syrup and tablets.

From the age of 3, it is possible to use the combined antipyretics ibuprofen + paracetamol in the form of dispersible tablets (Ibuklin Junior). The drug reduces fever for a longer period than monotherapy. The daily dose depends on the weight / age of the child and ranges from 3 to 8 tablets for 3-4 doses.

Many parents use analgin and aspirin as antipyretics.

Remember! Taking analgin (metamisole) inside for children under 10 years of age is contraindicated, this drug can cause a violation of hematopoiesis. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is not used in children under 15 years of age with acute respiratory infections, because. promotes damage to the liver and brain. Also, in turn, with fever, children should not be given nimesulide. Therefore, carefully study the composition of drugs, including complex ones, for the content of the active substance in them.

Thus, for a child older than 3 months who do not have risk groups, we reduce the temperature exceeding 38.5 ^about C. To do this, we use one of the antipyretic drugs – paracetamol or ibuprofen in an age dosage, or their combination with 3- x years of age.