Fever danger levels. Fever in Children: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Medical Help

11.01.202309.06.2023 by alexxlab

How high is too high for a child’s fever. What are the danger signs to watch for in a feverish child. When should you take a child with fever to the doctor. How can you tell if a child’s fever is serious.

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Understanding Fever in Children: What Parents Need to Know

Fever is a common occurrence in children, often causing concern among parents. But what exactly constitutes a fever, and when should you be worried? Let’s delve into the details of childhood fevers, their causes, and when medical attention is necessary.

What is considered a fever in children?

For most children, a body temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) or higher is considered a fever. However, for infants under three months old, the threshold is lower – a temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or above is classified as a fever. It’s important to note that normal body temperature can fluctuate throughout the day, typically being about 0.5°C higher in the evening than in the morning.

Recognizing Fever Symptoms in Children

Identifying a fever in your child often involves more than just feeling their forehead. There are several telltale signs that parents should be aware of:

A red face
Tired-looking or glazed eyes
Pale skin (except for the face)
Hot forehead or neck
Loss of appetite
Increased crying or irritability

Can you diagnose a fever just by looking at a child? While these visual cues can be indicators, the most accurate way to determine if your child has a fever is by using a thermometer to measure their body temperature.

Common Causes of Fever in Children

Understanding what causes fever in children can help parents better assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action. Here are some common causes:

Infections

The most frequent cause of fever in children is infections, which can be viral or bacterial. These may include:

Common cold
Middle ear infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Gastroenteritis
Childhood diseases like mumps, measles, rubella, scarlet fever, chickenpox, and roseola

Other Causes

While infections are the primary culprit, there are other factors that can lead to elevated body temperature in children:

Recent vaccinations
Dehydration
Sunburn or sunstroke
Skin conditions like hives (urticaria)
Teething (in infants)
Physical exertion or excitement

Is fever always a sign of illness in children? Not necessarily. Sometimes, even normal activities like running around or wearing warm clothing can cause a child’s body temperature to rise temporarily.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Child’s Fever

While most fevers in children are not cause for alarm, there are certain situations where medical intervention is necessary. Parents should consult a doctor if:

The child’s temperature is above 39°C (102.2°F)
A baby under three months old has a temperature above 38°C (100.4°F)
The fever persists for more than three days
The child experiences a febrile seizure
The child shows signs of dehydration
The fever is accompanied by severe symptoms like stiff neck, unresponsiveness, confusion, persistent vomiting, or diarrhea
A skin rash develops
The child’s condition worsens despite home care

How quickly should you seek medical help if your child has a high fever? If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider promptly, especially for infants and young children.

Understanding Fever’s Role in the Body

While fever can be distressing for both children and parents, it’s important to understand that fever itself is not a medical condition. Rather, it’s a natural response of the body to fight off infections. Fever works by:

Speeding up certain metabolic processes
Helping the immune system fight pathogens more effectively
Creating an environment less favorable for the growth of some bacteria and viruses

Does fever always indicate a serious problem in children? No, in fact, only about 1 out of 100 children with fever have a serious medical problem that requires doctor’s treatment. Most fevers in children are caused by harmless viruses that the body can fight off on its own.

Potential Complications of Fever in Children

While fever is generally not harmful, there are some potential complications that parents should be aware of:

Dehydration

One of the primary concerns with fever is the risk of dehydration. Signs of dehydration in children include:

A sunken fontanel (soft spot on the top of a baby’s head)
Dry mouth and lips
Sunken eyes
Lack of tears when crying
Generally ill appearance

How can you prevent dehydration in a child with fever? Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. If they’re not interested in water, try offering clear soups, popsicles, or electrolyte solutions designed for children.

Febrile Seizures

Febrile seizures can occur in children between the ages of three months and five years. While alarming, simple febrile seizures are generally not dangerous and typically last only a few minutes. However, it’s still advisable to have a doctor examine the child after such an event.

Are febrile seizures a sign of epilepsy? No, febrile seizures are different from epileptic seizures and do not typically lead to epilepsy. They are a response to the rapid increase in body temperature, not a sign of brain disorder.

Home Care for a Child with Fever

When your child has a fever that doesn’t require immediate medical attention, there are several steps you can take to make them more comfortable:

Ensure they get plenty of rest
Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
Dress them in light, breathable clothing
Keep the room temperature comfortable, not too hot or cold
Use a light blanket if they feel chilly
Consider using over-the-counter fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following the dosage instructions carefully

Should you try to “sweat out” a fever? No, this is an old myth. Bundling up a feverish child can actually make them more uncomfortable and potentially increase their temperature further.

Fever in Special Circumstances

There are certain situations where fever in children requires special consideration:

Fever After Travel

If a child develops a fever after traveling to a foreign country, even weeks after returning, it’s crucial to inform the doctor about the recent travel. This information can guide the physician in considering less common infections that might have been contracted during the trip.

Fever in Newborns

Fever in newborns and very young infants (under 3 months) should always be taken seriously. Even a slight elevation in temperature can be significant in this age group and warrants immediate medical attention.

Recurrent or Prolonged Fevers

If a child experiences recurrent fevers or fevers that last longer than expected, it may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires further investigation.

Can recurring fevers be a sign of a chronic condition? Yes, in some cases, recurrent fevers might indicate conditions such as periodic fever syndromes, autoimmune disorders, or other chronic illnesses. If your child experiences frequent unexplained fevers, it’s important to consult with a pediatrician.

Measuring Fever Accurately in Children

Accurate temperature measurement is crucial for assessing fever in children. Here are some tips for getting reliable readings:

Use a digital thermometer for the most accurate results
For infants under 3 months, rectal temperature is the most accurate method
For older children, oral or tympanic (ear) temperatures are generally reliable
Avoid using forehead strips or pacifier thermometers, as these are less accurate
Take the temperature at consistent times of day, as body temperature naturally fluctuates

Is an ear thermometer as accurate as a rectal thermometer for infants? While ear thermometers are convenient, they may not be as accurate as rectal thermometers for very young infants. For the most precise reading in babies under 3 months, rectal temperature is still considered the gold standard.

Myths and Misconceptions About Childhood Fevers

There are many myths surrounding childhood fevers that can lead to unnecessary worry or inappropriate treatment. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions:

Myth: Fever is a disease

Fact: Fever is a symptom, not a disease itself. It’s the body’s natural defense mechanism against infection.

Myth: All fevers are dangerous and need to be treated with medication

Fact: Most fevers are beneficial and help the body fight infection. Treatment should focus on comfort rather than lowering the temperature at all costs.

Myth: Fever can cause brain damage

Fact: Typical fevers (under 42°C or 107.6°F) do not cause brain damage. Temperatures this high are extremely rare and usually caused by underlying conditions, not common infections.

Myth: If the fever doesn’t come down with medication, it’s a sign of serious illness

Fact: The height of the fever doesn’t necessarily correlate with the severity of the illness. Some minor viral infections can cause high fevers, while some serious infections might cause only a slight temperature elevation.

Do higher fevers always indicate more severe illnesses? No, the degree of fever doesn’t necessarily reflect the severity of the underlying condition. A child with a mild viral infection might have a higher fever than one with a more serious bacterial infection.

The Role of Fever-Reducing Medications

While fever is generally beneficial, there are times when fever-reducing medications can be helpful. These medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can make a child more comfortable and may be appropriate when:

The child is very uncomfortable or in pain
The fever is interfering with sleep or eating
The child has a history of febrile seizures

However, it’s important to use these medications judiciously:

Always follow the dosage instructions carefully
Don’t give aspirin to children, as it can cause a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome
Avoid combination cold and flu medicines that contain fever reducers, as it’s easy to accidentally overdose
Remember that the goal is comfort, not necessarily to bring the temperature back to normal

Is it safe to alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever? While some doctors may recommend this practice for persistent high fevers, it’s important to do so only under medical guidance to avoid potential complications or overdosing.

Prevention of Fevers in Children

While it’s not always possible to prevent fevers, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of infections that commonly cause fevers in children:

Encourage regular hand washing, especially before eating and after using the bathroom
Teach children to avoid touching their face, especially their mouth, nose, and eyes
Keep children up to date on their vaccinations
Ensure children get adequate sleep and maintain a healthy diet to support their immune system
Keep children home when they’re sick to prevent the spread of infections

Can good nutrition help prevent fevers in children? While good nutrition won’t directly prevent fevers, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help support a child’s immune system, potentially making them less susceptible to infections that cause fevers.

The Importance of Monitoring Fever Patterns

When caring for a child with fever, it’s not just the peak temperature that’s important, but also the pattern of the fever over time. Keeping a fever diary can be helpful, noting:

The time and temperature of each reading
Any medications given and their effects
Other symptoms accompanying the fever
Changes in the child’s behavior or energy levels

This information can be valuable if you need to consult a healthcare provider, helping them understand the course of the illness and make more informed decisions about treatment.

How often should you check a child’s temperature during a fever? For most fevers, checking every 4-6 hours is sufficient. However, for very young infants or if the fever is particularly high or accompanied by concerning symptoms, more frequent monitoring may be necessary.

The Role of Hydration in Managing Childhood Fevers

Proper hydration is crucial when a child has a fever. Fever can increase fluid loss through sweating and rapid breathing, potentially leading to dehydration if not addressed. Here are some tips for keeping a feverish child hydrated:

Offer small amounts of fluid frequently rather than large amounts at once
Try different types of fluids – water, clear soups, electrolyte solutions, or ice pops
For breastfed infants, continue to nurse on demand
Avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks, which can worsen dehydration

What are signs that a child with fever is well-hydrated? Look for moist lips and mouth, tears when crying, regular urination (though possibly darker than usual), and generally alert behavior. If you’re concerned about dehydration, consult your healthcare provider.

Understanding the Immune Response Behind Fever

To fully appreciate the role of fever in childhood illnesses, it’s helpful to understand the immune response that causes it. When the body detects an infection, it releases substances called pyrogens. These pyrogens travel to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature, causing it to raise the body’s thermostat.

This increase in body temperature serves several purposes:

It speeds up the body’s metabolism, helping immune cells move faster and work more efficiently
It creates an environment less hospitable to many pathogens
It triggers the production of more white blood cells and antibodies

Is fever always beneficial for fighting infections? While fever is generally a helpful immune response, extremely high fevers can be counterproductive, potentially causing more harm than good. This is why it’s important to monitor fevers and seek medical attention when they become too high or are accompanied by concerning symptoms.

Fever in children: Overview – InformedHealth.org

Created: December 18, 2013; Last Update: June 6, 2019; Next update: 2022.

Introduction

“My child has a high temperature” – not an unlikely event in the lives of parents with young children. Children are more likely to get a fever than adults are. Fever is one of the most common reasons why children are brought to the doctor or to the hospital for out-of-hours medical advice.

Children are considered to have a fever if they have a body temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) or more, and babies under three months old are already considered to have a fever at a body temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or more.

As a child’s temperature increases, so does many parents’ concern for their child. But most children with a fever have a harmless virus. The child can then be cared for at home and will feel better again within two or three days. Their bodies can fight off the viruses without any extra help.

Only about 1 out of 100 children with fever have a serious medical problem that needs to be treated by a doctor. In most cases bacterial infections such as pneumonia are then to blame.

Symptoms

You can often tell that a child has a fever just by looking at them. Typical signs include a red face, tired-looking or glazed eyes and otherwise pale skin. A hot forehead or neck can also be a sign of fever. Some children lose their appetite or cry a lot.

It’s important to take the child to see a doctor if

their temperature is above 39°C (102.2°F) or a baby under three months old has a temperature above 38°C (100.4°F),
the fever comes and goes,
the fever lasts longer than three days,
they have a febrile seizure,
they have a stiff neck, are unresponsive, restless or confused,
they vomit, have diarrhea or pain in their belly,
they have a skin rash,
they refuse to drink over a long period of time or
their condition has worsened since the last visit to the doctor.

Causes

Even things like running around, excitement or very warm clothing can make children’s body temperature rise, although they are not ill. One reason for this is that children don’t sweat as much or as easily as adults do when they get warm. Teething can cause a child’s body temperature to go up too.

But fever is usually caused by germs. It is a sign that your body is trying to fight them. So it isn’t a medical condition. Instead, it is a reaction in the body to speed up certain metabolic processes and help the immune system fight faster.

Possible causes of fever include the following:

Viruses or bacteria: for instance, a common cold, middle ear infection, urinary tract infection (UTI) or gastroenteritis. Or typical childhood diseases such as mumps, measles, German measles (rubella), scarlet fever, chickenpox and sixth disease (roseola).
A vaccination: because the child’s immune system is developing antibodies to fight the germs that the vaccine aims to protect them from.
Dehydration: The child has a fever because they haven’t had enough to drink and their body is dehydrated. This kind of fever due to dehydration can also be caused by severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Sunburn, sunstroke or skin conditions such as hives (urticaria).
In rare cases: serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, appendicitis or an infection of the joints or bone marrow.
In very rare cases: metabolic diseases, rheumatic diseases or allergic reactions to foods or medications.

If a fever develops after traveling to a faraway place – even several weeks after returning – it’s important to tell your doctor about your travels. Special tests can be done to find out whether the child picked up an infection while traveling.

Effects

Many parents worry that a high fever could become life-threatening. Fever alone is only rarely harmful and usually remains below 41°C (105.8°F). Higher temperatures can be dangerous, but they are rare.

Fever can lead to dehydration (too little fluid in the body). Medical help is needed if the child refuses to drink or shows signs of dehydration, such as the following:

A sunken fontanel (soft spot on the top of the baby’s head)
A dry mouth and dry lips
Sunken eyes
Lack of tears
The child generally looks ill

Fever can sometimes lead to a febrile seizure (also known as a febrile convulsion) – particularly in children between the ages of three months and five years. Although simple febrile seizures can be very alarming, they usually only last a few minutes and are not dangerous. But it is still a good idea to take the child to see a doctor afterwards.

Diagnosis

Healthy children have a body temperature between 36.5°C (97.7°F) and 37.5°C (99.5°F). This temperature changes over the course of the day: It’s usually about 0.5°C higher in the evening than it is in the morning. Temperatures between 37. 5 (99.5°F) and 38.5°C (101.3°F) are referred to as an elevated body temperature.

It’s considered to be a fever at temperatures of 38.5 (101.3°F) or more in children, and at temperatures of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or more in babies under three months old.

Body temperature can be measured in different ways. With small children it is particularly important that it can be done quickly and with as little effort as possible – such as dressing and undressing or keeping still. Many parents first place their hand on their child’s forehead or neck to check whether it feels hot.

They can then use a thermometer to measure the child’s temperature – ideally three times a day, if possible. The best way to get reliable readings is by inserting a digital thermometer into the child’s bottom (rectal temperature). Many parents prefer to use a digital ear or forehead thermometer. You can also take a child’s temperature in their mouth or under their armpit, but this is only suitable in children aged four and over. The length of time needed to take the temperature depends on where it is measured and what kind of thermometer is used – you will find further information in the instructions that come with the thermometer.

Treatment

When children have a fever, they often don’t need to be given medication to lower it.

But treatment with fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen can help if the child has a high fever – above 39.5°C (103.1°F) – or is feeling very unwell. This medication can be used in the form of a syrup or a suppository. The correct dose will depend on the child’s age and body weight, as described in the package insert. If the fever is treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen but still hasn’t gone down after one to four hours, it’s best to seek medical advice.

Acetylsalicylic acid (the drug in e.g. Aspirin) can cause a rare but dangerous side effect called Reye’s syndrome in children and teenagers. So children shouldn’t use acetylsalicylic acid unless the doctor says it’s okay to use it.

Home remedies such as cooling the child’s lower legs with wet towels or giving the child a lukewarm bath are popular but they only cool the outside of their body. If the child says it feels good, there’s no harm in doing these things. But it’s not clear whether they really help to reduce the fever.

It’s more important not to dress the child too warmly, otherwise their body won’t be able to cool off.

Everyday life

Most children with a fever can be well cared for at home. If your child doesn’t have any of the signs of a serious illness described above, or if the doctor has diagnosed a harmless infection, there’s no reason not to care for him or her at home.

Children who have a fever need to get enough fluid. So it’s important to make sure that children, including those that are breastfed, drink enough. Children have a pretty good feel for what’s good for them. So it’s a good idea to ask them what they need – for instance, what they feel like eating or drinking.

Children may play all day long despite having a fever. As long as they don’t run around too much, that’s perfectly fine. A child with a fever is ill and shouldn’t go to playgroups, kindergarten or school. This is true even if they seem to be fine otherwise. They could still infect others.

When children have a fever, it nearly always goes away again on its own. Time, rest and loving care are usually the best remedies.

Sources

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Massignan C, Cardoso M, Porporatti AL, Aydinoz S, Canto GDL, Mezzomo LAM et al. Signs and Symptoms of Primary Tooth Eruption: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics 2016; 137(3): e20153501. [PubMed: 26908659]
Meremikwu M, Oyo-Ita A. Physical methods versus drug placebo or no treatment for managing fever in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003; (2): CD004264. [PMC free article: PMC6532675] [PubMed: 12804512]
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Mewasingh LD. Febrile seizures. BMJ Clin Evid 2014: pii: 0324.
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Wong T, Stang AS, Ganshorn H, Hartling L, Maconochie IK, Thomsen AM et al. Combined and alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen therapy for febrile children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013; (10): CD009572. [PMC free article: PMC6532735] [PubMed: 24174375]
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COVID-19 symptoms

If a person has a fever with a dry cough, they may have symptoms of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge people with these symptoms to stay at home and away from other people. The person should also wear a face covering if other people are near.

In many cases, the symptoms will improve without specialist treatment.

However, if the person also develops severe chest pain or difficulty breathing, they should call 911 and ask for medical help.

To take a temperature, most people now use a digital thermometer. Experts do not recommend using a glass thermometer, as these can be dangerous. Some people use a forehead strip, but these may be less accurate.

A person can put a thermometer under their arm or in their mouth.

To use a digital device:

Clean the tip using cold water and soap, and then rinse it.
Turn on the device.
Place the tip under the tongue, toward the back of the mouth, and close the mouth. Or, place it under the armpit and hold the device close to the body.
Wait until there is a flash or the thermometer beeps.
Read the temperature.

Normal armpit temperature will be around 0.5 to 0.9ºF (0.3 to 0.5°C) lower than oral temperature.

If the reading is 100.4°F (38°C) or above, the person has a fever.

Thermometers are available for purchase over the counter or online.

Is it possible to take someone’s temperature without a thermometer? Find out here.

Doctors classify fevers according to how long they last, whether or not they come and go, and how high they are.

Severity

Core body temperature varies from person to person.

Most experts consider a temperature of 100.4° F (38°C) to be a fever, but in children, this may be lower, at 99.5°F (37.5°C).

Hyperpyrexia can occur when a person’s temperature rises above 106°F (41.1°C). Without treatment, this can lead to complications.

Learn more about normal body temperature and when a person should worry here.

Duration

A fever can be:

acute if it lasts for under 7 days
subacute if it lasts for up to 14 days
chronic or persistent if it lasts for over 14 days

Fevers that exist for days or weeks with no explanation are called fevers of unknown origin.

A mild fever is part of the immune system’s response to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It helps the body fight off infection.

However, it can be uncomfortable, and a high fever can sometimes lead to complications.

For this reason, doctors may sometimes recommend medications called antipyretics to lower a person’s temperature.

Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also reduce a fever. Aspirin can help, but it is not suitable for children, and it may not be suitable for people who take blood thinners.

NSAIDs and Tylenol are available to purchase over the counter or online.

If a person is sweating a lot, they may experience dehydration. In this case, they should consume plenty of fluids to prevent complications.

Treating the cause

A fever is a symptom, not an illness.

A doctor may wish to carry out tests to identify the cause. If the fever is due to a bacterial infection, they may prescribe an antibiotic.

If it stems from a viral infection, the doctor may recommend using NSAIDs to relieve the symptoms.

Antibiotics will not stop a virus. A doctor will not prescribe them for a viral infection.

NSAIDs will not help if the fever is due to hot weather or sustained strenuous exercise. In these cases, it is essential to cool the person down. If they are confused or unconscious, they need immediate medical care.

COVID-19

A person with symptoms of COVID-19 may not need any medical treatment.

However, if they develop severe chest pains and have difficulty breathing, they may need hospital treatment.

Some people will need to spend time on a ventilator, which is a device that will help them breathe.

Fevers can result from various factors, including:

an infection, such as strep throat, the flu, chickenpox, pneumonia, or COVID-19
rheumatoid arthritis
some medications
overexposing the skin to sunlight, or sunburn
heatstroke, either due to high ambient temperatures or prolonged strenuous exercise
dehydration
silicosis, which is a type of lung disease caused by long-term exposure to silica dust
amphetamine abuse
alcohol withdrawal

Children with a high temperature may develop a febrile seizure. These are most likely to occur between the ages of 12 and 18 months.

These often result from an ear infection, gastroenteritis, or a respiratory virus, and they are not usually serious. Less commonly, they may stem from a more severe illness, such as meningitis, a kidney infection, or pneumonia.

Seizures can occur when the body temperature rises quickly.

There are two types of febrile seizure: simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures.

Simple febrile seizures

This type of febrile seizure can last from a few seconds up to 15 minutes. However, it usually lasts less than 5 minutes. It does not occur again during a 24-hour period.

Around 80–85% of febrile seizures are of this type.

It typically involves the whole body, and symptoms include:

stiffness in the body
twitching in the arms and legs
a loss of consciousness while the eyes stay open

There may also be:

irregular breathing
urination, defecation, or both
vomiting

Complex febrile seizures

This type of febrile seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes, comes back more often, and tends to affect only a part of the body, rather than the whole body.

Complex febrile seizures are more serious than simple febrile seizures.

A child who has a complex febrile seizure is more likely to experience epilepsy as they grow older.

In fact, around 30–40% of children who have either type of seizure will have other similar seizures at a later date.

When to see a doctor

In most cases, a child who has a seizure should see a doctor. The doctor may suggest controlling their temperature with acetaminophen and ensuring that they drink plenty of fluids.

If necessary, they may also prescribe an anticonvulsant, such as sodium valproate or clonazepam.

A fever is a symptom, not an illness. A doctor can diagnose a fever by checking the person’s body temperature, but they will also need to diagnose the reason for the fever.

To do so, they will examine the individual and ask them about any other symptoms and their medical history.

If the person has recently experienced another infection, if they have recently had surgery, or if there is pain or swelling in one area, it may indicate what kind of infection is likely to be present.

To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor may recommend:

a blood test
a urine test
imaging tests

The treatment they prescribe will depend on the cause of the fever.

To prevent a fever, people should follow the usual steps for reducing the risk of an infection.

These include regular hand-washing and staying away from people who are unwell.

Preventing COVID-19

To reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19, the CDC recommend:

washing the hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time
using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
not touching the face with unwashed hands
covering the face with a mask or cloth covering when near other people, except for children under 2 years
cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly
coughing and sneezing into a tissue, then disposing of the tissue and washing the hands
avoiding close contact with people who are unwell

For information on how to make and wear a face mask, see the CDC’s advice here.

A fever is usually a symptom of an infection. It is not usually a cause for concern, but the underlying illness may need medical treatment.

Often, a fever will resolve without medical attention. However, if a child or an older adult has a fever, if the individual has other severe or worsening symptoms, or if they have a weakened immune system, they should seek medical help.

If a person has a dry cough with a fever, they may have COVID-19. If they start to experience difficulty breathing, someone should call 911 and ask for emergency help.

Read the article in Spanish.

Hemorrhagic fever

HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

In our republic, the level of potential epidemic danger of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) remains high due to the natural and climatic features of the territory. This should always be remembered by residents of rural areas and townspeople traveling to nature and garden plots.

3 victims of HFRS, the incidence rate was 13.7 per 100 thousand of the population.

Cases of “mouse fever” were recorded in 11 out of 17 municipalities of Mari El. The excess of the average republican incidence rates was noted in 4 administrative territories:

13 times in the Kilemarsky district;

3.4 times in the Zvenigovsky district;

· 3 times – in the Orsha district;

· 2.4 times – in the Medvedev district.

The proportion of patients who became infected at home was 85%, while visiting the forest – 8%, under production conditions – 5%, and when working in garden plots – 2%.

During the first two weeks of June, HFRS was preliminarily diagnosed in 4 Mariels: residents of the Gornomariysky, Zvenigovsky, Orsha districts and the city of Yoshkar-Ola. Three people became infected at home and one at work due to non-observance of personal hygiene measures.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome – a severe infectious disease that occurs with severe infectious-toxic and hemorrhagic manifestations, kidney damage
and the development of acute renal failure, long-term disability and high mortality.

The virus is shed mainly in the urine of rodents. A person becomes infected mainly by airborne dust during excavation and household work. It is possible to become infected by the food (alimentary) route – by eating products contaminated with rodent excrement, or by contact – when the virus enters the mucous membranes and damaged skin. Cases of infection through contact with a sick person are unknown.

Susceptibility to infection is quite high in all age groups. The high-risk group consists of people whose occupation is associated with staying in a wooded area, in field work, etc.

Infection is also possible, in the conditions of settlements, including natural morbidity occurs in the summer-autumn months and the beginning of winter.

The incubation period is 7 to 35 days
(usually 2 to 3 weeks). Body temperature rises, headache, lethargy, pain in the abdomen and lower back, redness of the eyes appear, on the 5th day the incubation period decreases and lasts from 7 to 35 days (usually 2 to 3 weeks). Body temperature rises, headache, lethargy, pain in the abdomen and lower back, redness of the eyes appear, on the 5th day blood pressure decreases, consciousness may be impaired. In later stages, pulmonary edema and severe fluid and electrolyte imbalance are possible.

To prevent HFRS diseases it is necessary: to exterminate rodents in garden houses, garages, living quarters and warehouses; regularly carry out wet cleaning using disinfectants in rooms where rodents can stay; store stocks of food in tightly closed containers; it is not recommended to eat food damaged by rodents; tourists, hunters, fishermen before settling in forest houses need to carry out wet cleaning. During cleaning, use cotton-gauze masks moistened with water, respirators.

Important!

· Vaccinations and other means of prevention against “mouse fever”, HFRS, no!

· The main source of infection for is infected mouse-like rodents, which do not get sick themselves, but excrete the virus with saliva, urine, feces and pose a threat of infecting people. Quickly dried secretions rise into the air and during dust formation (cleaning the premises, felling the forest, collecting brushwood for a fire, working with hay and straw, etc.), the virus can penetrate into the human respiratory organs.

· HFRS can be contracted by eating food contaminated with rodent secretions and not thermally treated. There are known cases of infection through direct contact with rodents, as well as during smoking and eating with unwashed hands.

· Control methods – extermination of rodents. Residential and other premises must be impenetrable to mice. Cleaning is best done with a wet method. The territory of dwellings adjoining the forest must be cleared of deadwood, shrubs, weeds, etc. within a radius of 500 meters. Household garbage and waste must be disposed of in a timely manner.

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