How high does a child’s temperature need to be to indicate a fever. What are the normal body temperature ranges for children. When should parents seek medical attention for a child with fever. How can parents effectively manage fever symptoms at home. What are the best methods for accurately measuring a child’s temperature.

What Constitutes a Fever in Children?

Understanding what temperature range constitutes a fever in children is crucial for parents and caregivers. A normal body temperature typically hovers around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6°F). However, slight variations are normal and can occur throughout the day.

Fever is generally categorized as follows:

• Mild fever: Temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4°F)
• High fever: Temperature more than 39 degrees Celsius (102.2°F)

Is a slight elevation in temperature always cause for concern? Not necessarily. A mild fever is often a sign that the body is fighting off an infection and can be a normal, healthy response of the immune system.

Accurate Temperature Measurement: Tools and Techniques

Accurately measuring a child’s temperature is essential for determining if they have a fever. There are several types of thermometers available, each with its own advantages:

Digital Thermometers

Digital thermometers are the most common and versatile option. They provide quick, accurate readings and can be used for children of all ages. For children under five years old, it’s recommended to place the digital thermometer under their arm (axillary method).

Ear Thermometers

Ear thermometers, while more expensive, can be used for older children. They measure temperature by detecting infrared heat waves from the eardrum. However, they’re not suitable for very young babies.

Infrared Forehead Thermometers

These non-contact thermometers measure skin temperature on the forehead. While convenient, they may not be as accurate as other methods and can be costly.

Can you check for fever without a thermometer? Yes, you can. One method is to place two fingers on the back of your child’s neck, between the shoulder blades. If it feels noticeably warmer than usual, it could indicate a fever.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Childhood Fever

While most fevers in children are not cause for alarm, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. Parents should be vigilant and look out for the following signs:

• Fever in babies under three months old (seek immediate medical attention)
• Unusually sleepy or irritable behavior
• Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
• Changes in crying patterns or unresponsiveness
• Reduced fluid intake or fewer wet diapers
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Non-blanching rash (a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed)
• Sensitivity to light
• Complaints of headache or neck pain

Are there any specific temperature thresholds that warrant immediate medical attention? For infants under 3 months, any fever (temperature over 38°C or 100.4°F) requires immediate medical evaluation. For older children, persistent high fevers (above 39°C or 102.2°F) or fevers lasting more than a few days should be assessed by a healthcare provider.

Home Management of Fever in Children

When your child has a fever, there are several steps you can take at home to make them more comfortable and support their recovery:

1. Ensure plenty of rest
2. Offer extra fluids to prevent dehydration
3. Adjust clothing and room temperature for comfort
4. Provide comfort and reassurance
5. Monitor symptoms closely

Should you try to actively cool down a child with fever? It’s generally not recommended to use cold baths or ice packs to lower fever, as this can cause shivering, which may actually increase body temperature. Instead, focus on keeping your child comfortable and well-hydrated.

Medication for Childhood Fevers: When and How to Use

Medication can be helpful in managing fever symptoms, but it’s not always necessary. The decision to use medication should be based on your child’s comfort level rather than the temperature reading alone.

If you choose to use medication:

• Always follow the dosage instructions on the label
• Use medication appropriate for your child’s age and weight
• Check that the medication has not expired
• Consult a pharmacist if you’re unsure about the right medication

Is it safe to alternate between different types of fever-reducing medications? While some healthcare providers may recommend alternating between acetaminophen and ibuprofen, it’s important to do so only under medical guidance to avoid potential complications or overdosing.

Common Misconceptions About Childhood Fevers

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding childhood fevers that can lead to unnecessary worry or inappropriate treatment:

Myth: Teething Causes Fever

Contrary to popular belief, teething does not cause fever. If a teething child has a fever, it’s likely due to an unrelated illness and should be monitored.

Myth: Fever is Always Harmful

In most cases, fever is a beneficial response of the body fighting infection. It’s not the fever itself that’s harmful, but rather the underlying cause that needs attention.

Myth: Higher Fever Means More Serious Illness

The height of the fever doesn’t necessarily correlate with the severity of the illness. A child with a mild fever can be seriously ill, while another with a high fever might have a minor infection.

Do all fevers need to be treated with medication? No, not all fevers require medication. The focus should be on the child’s overall condition and comfort rather than solely on reducing the temperature.

Special Considerations for Infants and Young Children

Fever in very young children, especially infants, requires special attention:

• Any fever in babies under three months old warrants immediate medical attention
• Infants may not show typical fever symptoms, so changes in behavior or feeding patterns should be closely monitored
• Young children may not be able to communicate their symptoms clearly, so observation is key

How does fever management differ for infants compared to older children? For infants, it’s crucial to monitor hydration levels closely and seek medical advice earlier than you might for older children. Medication use should always be under the guidance of a healthcare provider for very young babies.

Prevention and Immune System Support

While it’s not always possible to prevent fevers, there are steps you can take to support your child’s immune system and reduce the risk of infections:

1. Encourage regular hand washing
2. Ensure a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
3. Promote adequate sleep and rest
4. Keep vaccinations up to date
5. Teach good hygiene practices

Can certain foods or supplements boost a child’s immune system to prevent fevers? While a healthy diet is important for overall health, there’s no specific food or supplement that can prevent fevers. The best approach is to maintain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Understanding and managing childhood fevers can be challenging for parents, but with the right knowledge and tools, it becomes more manageable. Remember that fever is often a sign that your child’s body is fighting off an infection effectively. By monitoring symptoms, providing comfort, and knowing when to seek medical help, you can ensure your child receives the appropriate care during feverish episodes.

Always trust your instincts as a parent. If you’re concerned about your child’s fever or overall health, don’t hesitate to consult with a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice and ensure that your child receives the best possible care.

Fever » Whānau Āwhina Plunket

What you need to know

• Fever is a normal way for your child’s body to fight an infection, but in some cases it can be a sign of a more serious illness or infection.
• If your baby is three months or younger and has a fever, take them to the doctor.
• You can use a thermometer to check your child’s temperature, but don’t worry if you don’t have a thermometer, there are other ways to check their temperature.
• Make your child comfortable and add or remove layers, depending on how they feel.
• Give medication if needed and always follow the label to make sure it’s the right dose for your child’s age, weight and illness.

Temperature

What’s a normal body temperature?

A normal temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius, while a mild fever is a temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius and a high fever is more than 39 degrees Celsius.

Using a thermometer 

Digital thermometers give you a digital reading of your child’s temperature and can be used on children of any age. Usually these thermometers are the cheapest option and any brand will work. If your child is under five years old, place the digital thermometer under their arm.  

Ear thermometers can be used in older children, but not young babies, and are a bit more expensive than other types of thermometers. Read the instructions on how to take your child’s temperature and remember to be gentle and just place the thermometer in the entrance of the ear canal – it doesn’t have to be pushed right into the ear. 

Infrared forehead thermometers measures your child’s forehead skin temperature by pointing the thermometer at your child’s forehead. Infrared thermometers may not be completely accurate and can be expensive. 

Taking your child’s temperature without a thermometer

Don’t worry if you don’t have a thermometer handy, you can still check your child’s temperature. Slip two fingers down the back of their neck (under their clothes, in between the shoulder blades) and see if they feel hotter than normal. 

Teething doesn’t cause a fever. If your child is teething and has a fever, that may mean that your child is sick. 

Fever in babies under three months

Young babies get fevers just like older children, but they’re not as good at fighting off infections.  If your baby is under three months old and has a fever, take them to a doctor immediately.

If your baby feels colder than normal that’s a worrying sign and means you should see your doctor urgently. 

When to visit a doctor

Usually kids will recover from a fever quickly without problems, but sometimes a fever can be a sign of a more serious illness or infection.

Call PlunketLine or your doctor if your child has a fever and:

• is unusually sleepy or irritable 
• is not responding to you as normal 
• has difficulty with their breathing, has noisy breathing or is breathing fast 
• has a different cry or is crying more 
• refuses to drink or is drinking less than normal 
• has fewer wet nappies or is passing less wee than normal 
• vomits and/or has diarrhoea
• has a non-blanching rash (a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with, and viewed through, a glass)
• avoids lights 
• complains, or appears to have, a sore head or neck.

Treatment

Here are some tips to help make your child comfortable when they have a fever:

• give them extra rest
• provide extra cuddles and comfort and let them be near you 
• offer extra fluids
• undress them so they are wearing just a single layer 
• make sure the room isn’t too hot or too cold
• if your child feels cold and wants to be covered, that’s okay
• if your child is flushed and seems warm, remove a layer
• avoid cooling your little one too quickly – a cool face cloth on their forehead or neck may be soothing

If you’re worried about your child — even if they don’t have a fever — you can call PlunketLine anytime on 0800 933 922 or take them to see a doctor. 

Medication

Medications can be helpful if your child is miserable or in pain, but they may not be needed. Assess your child’s symptoms and how they’re feeling to decide if they need medication.  

If you decide to give medication to your child, make sure to: 

• read and follow the label to check how much medicine to give and how often 
• give the right dose  
• make sure the medication has not expired 
• talk to the pharmacist to make sure the medicine is the right one for your child’s age, weight and problem.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen should be used selectively and with caution, particularly for children who are dehydrated. 

Did you find this page helpful?

• Yes
• No

Thank you for your feedback

Your feedback will help us to improve our site.

Related topics

Kidshealth: Fever (High Temperature) In Kids

Home : Kidshealth

Print Page

All kids get a fever from time to time. Usually, a fever isn’t dangerous or bad for kids. It can even be a good thing because it can help the immune system fight infection.

Still, parents might be unsure about how to handle a fever at home and when to call the doctor. Here are some tips.

What Is a Fever?

In general, a fever means the body’s temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Different ways of measuring a temperature — rectal, armpit, ear, forehead, mouth — get a slightly different number, so the number that means a child has a fever is a little different too.  

What Causes Fevers?

Fevers in kids are usually caused by an infection. A fever helps the body by stimulating the immune system to fight the infection. Doctors also think the higher temperature makes it harder for the germs to grow.

A few other reasons kids can have a fever:

Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they’re overdressed, wrapped in a blanket, or in a hot environment because they don’t regulate their body temperature as well as older kids. But because fevers in newborns can be a sign of a serious infection, even infants who are overdressed must be checked by a doctor if they have a fever.

Immunizations: Babies and kids sometimes get a mild fever that lasts about a day after getting vaccinated.

A child who is teething might have a slight rise in body temperature, but it’s probably not the cause if the temperature is higher than 100°F (37.8°C).

When Is a Fever a Sign of Something Serious?

In most healthy kids who are acting well, a fever isn’t serious.

But a fever can be serious for:

• Infants younger than 3 months: If an infant younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, call your doctor or go to the emergency department right away. 
• Kids with some health conditions: If your child has an ongoing health issue, make sure you know if the doctor should be called for fever.

A fever is probably not serious if your child is 3 months or older and:

• is still interested in playing
• is drinking well
• is alert and smiling
• has a normal skin color
• looks well when their temperature comes down

Don’t worry too much about a child with a fever who doesn’t want to eat. This is common with infections that cause fever. For kids who still drink and urinate (pee) normally, not eating as much as usual is OK.

What Are the Signs of a Fever?

Kids with a fever might:

• feel warm
• act differently (they might be fussy or cranky, or quieter than usual)
• breathe a little faster or have a faster heart rate than normal
• have a headache
• have chills or sweating
• have red or flushed skin

For any of these signs, take your child’s temperature to know if they really have a fever.

If your child feels warm or is acting unwell, use a digital thermometer to confirm a fever. Different ways of taking the temperature are more accurate than others at measuring the true body temperature.

The best way to take a temperature:

• for kids 3 years old and younger: a rectal temperature
• for kids 4 or older who can cooperate: an oral temperature (by mouth)
• for any age: under the armpit (axillary) and temporal artery (forehead) are easiest but less accurate. Tympanic (in the ear) is OK for kids 6 months and older.

It’s a fever when a child’s temperature is at or above one of these levels:

• rectal (in the bottom), tympanic (in the ear), or temporal artery (across the forehead): 100.4°F (38°C)
• oral (in the mouth): 100°F (37.8°C)
• axillary (under the arm): 99°F (37.2°C)

How Can I Help My Child Feel Better?

No treatment is needed if a child is still playing and drinking normally and doesn’t have pain.  

Treating a fever with medicine isn’t needed if a child is still playing and drinking normally and doesn’t have pain. Give medicine only when a fever causes a child discomfort or keeps them from drinking.

While kids have a fever, keep an eye on them, help them to rest, and keep offering fluids to drink. They need to drink a little extra to make up for the fluids they lose from sweating.

Home Care Measures

Medicines

If your child is uncomfortable from a fever or not drinking fluids well, you can give one of these medicines:

• acetaminophen (such as Tylenol or a store brand)
  or
• ibuprofen (such as Advil, Motrin, or a store brand). Do not give to children under 6 months old.

Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. If you don’t know the recommended dose or your child is younger than 2 years old, call the doctor to find out what to use and how much to give.

• If your child has any medical problems, check with the doctor to see which medicine to use.
• Unless instructed to by a doctor, never give aspirin to a child. Such use is linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

Do not give any medicine for fever to infants younger than 3 months old unless instructed to by a doctor.

Staying Comfortable

If your child has a fever:

• Have them wear lightweight clothing and stay covered with a light sheet or blanket. Heavy clothes and blankets can keep the body from cooling, which can make your child uncomfortable.
• Keep the room at a comfortable temperature — not too hot or too cold.
• Make sure they get plenty of rest. Staying in bed all day isn’t necessary, but a sick child should take it easy.
• They should stay home from school or childcare until their temperature has been normal for 24 hours.

Lukewarm sponge baths to lower a fever generally are not recommended. In fact, sponge baths can make kids uncomfortable from shivering. Never use rubbing alcohol (it can cause poisoning when absorbed through the skin) or ice packs/cold baths (they can cause chills that can raise body temperature).

Food and Drinks

Offer plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration because fevers make kids lose fluids faster than usual. Oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyle, Enfalyte, or store brands) are a good choice. You also can give water, soup, ice pops, and flavored gelatin. Avoid drinks with caffeine, including colas and tea, which can make dehydration worse by making kids pee more often.

Let kids eat what they want (in reasonable amounts), but don’t force it if they don’t feel like eating much.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

The temperature that should trigger a call to the doctor depends on a child’s age, the illness, and whether they have other symptoms. You might ask if your doctor has specific guidelines on when to call about a fever.

In general, call the doctor if your child is:

• younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100. 4°F (38°C) or higher
• 3 months or older with a temperature higher than 102.2°F (39°C)
• any age but has a health problem like cancer or sickle cell disease and has a fever

Also call if a child 3 months or older has a fever and:

• refuses fluids or seems too ill to drink enough
• has lasting diarrhea or repeated vomiting
• has any signs of dehydration (peeing less than usual, not having tears when crying, less alert and less active than usual)
• has a specific complaint (like a sore throat or earache)
• still has a fever after 2–3 days
• has a rash
• has pain while peeing

Get emergency care if your child shows any of these signs:

• crying that won’t stop
• extreme irritability or fussiness
• sluggishness and trouble waking up
• a rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that were not there before your child got sick)
• blue lips, tongue, or nails
• in an infant, the soft spot on the head seems to be bulging out or sunken in
• stiff neck
• severe headache
• limpness or refusal to move
• trouble breathing that doesn’t get better when the nose is cleared
• leaning forward and drooling
• seizure
• moderate to severe belly pain

What Else Should I Know?

All kids get fevers, and in most cases they’re back to normal within a few days. For older babies and kids, the way they act can be more important than the reading on your thermometer. Everyone gets a little cranky when they have a fever. This is normal and should be expected.

But if you’re ever in doubt about what to do or what a fever might mean, or if your child is acting ill in a way that concerns you even with no fever, always call your doctor for advice.

Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD

Date Reviewed: Nov 20, 2022

Questions and answers – Temperature in a child

Izyakov Dmitry Nikolaevich

Pediatrician

April 25, 2021

diagnosis and treatment.” It revised some points regarding the actions of doctors and parents with an increase in temperature in children with various diseases. In this article, I tried to collect answers to the most frequently asked questions by parents, taking into account modern recommendations and practical experience.

What temperature is cause for panic?

What you don’t need is panic. According to current data, only temperatures above 40 degrees can harm children with chronic diseases.

Initially healthy children tolerate high temperatures without health consequences. A healthy child is simply not able to heat himself up to dangerous numbers. But, it can be heated like that from the outside, by wrong actions. For example, with a normal fever, cover with a blanket, when the air temperature in the room is above 22 ° C. But this is no longer a fever, namely hyperthermia, a condition in which you need to call an ambulance. The main difference is that antipyretics and rubdowns do not help.

But isn’t a high temperature a sign of a dangerous illness?

It is not the numbers on the thermometer that indicate danger in children. It is not the temperature that is dangerous, but the disease that caused it. A high temperature can also be with uncomplicated SARS, which will pass in 2-3 days. Or with a safe childhood infection – a sudden exanthema, it is also called: roseola, three-day fever, the temperature is often 40-41 ° C. And with a dangerous disease, meningitis, often can not exceed 39.5. There are also dangerous diseases accompanied by fever. This is what calls for an ambulance:

• age up to 3 months
• the appearance of a “marble” pattern on “goose skin” along with cold hands and feet
• no visible signs of illness, except for fever in a child under 3 years old
• persistence of temperature above 38.5 on the 4th day of illness with the appearance of rapid breathing
• rash on the skin that does not turn pale when pressed with a finger
• inability to press the chin to the chest and / or swelling of the fontanel
• pain in the abdomen
• pain in the legs and/or arms
• the temperature became higher 2 hours after taking the antipyretic, this is a sign of overheating – hyperthermia.

What about convulsions?

Observed in about four out of a hundred children and do not directly depend on the height of the temperature rise. In addition, they are not dangerous to health, although, undoubtedly, they are very frightening to parents. Help with febrile seizures is to turn the head to the side and provide access to fresh air. All the necessary drugs are administered by the ambulance doctor, which must be called and met by another adult.

Isn’t there anything dangerous at all in a high temperature?

Yes, this is dehydration – loss of fluid due to evaporation from breathing and sweat. With a fever, it is difficult to persuade a child to drink, but at this moment he needs it.

And cold hands and feet?

Most often this is a short-term phenomenon that does not require medical attention and does not pose a threat to health.

How much to lower the temperature?

1-1.5 degrees is enough, because only by raising the temperature the child’s body fights the infection.

At what temperature should antipyretics be given?

I give general recommendations, you need to consult with the doctor who treats your particular child.

• In children under 3 months old – from 38°C
• In children older than 3 months without chronic diseases – from 39°C
• In children with diseases of the brain, heart and lungs – from 38.5°C S

Are these numbers the only reason?

No. The numbers on the thermometer do not matter for starting an antipyretic if the child:

• does not tolerate fever very well, behaves restlessly
• has a “marble” pattern on pale “goose bumps”
• trembles, “chills”

What medicines to use?

Only based on ibuprofen and paracetamol, the names of the active substance are always indicated on the packaging under the brand name of the antipyretic.

Why don’t they help?

The most common cause is incorrect dosing, calculating the dose for the age and not the weight of the child. The second common cause is dehydration. Third – the child is too warmly dressed, covered, the room is warm.

What dose should be given?

The most popular ibuprofen-based antipyretic is Nurofen for Children syrup. You need to divide the weight of the child in kilograms in half. For example, if the weight is 10 kg, then 10:2 = 5 ml of children’s Nurofen and should be given to him. This dose can be repeated no earlier than 8 hours have passed.

The most successful antipyretic in the form of release is “Efferalgan” syrup for children with the active ingredient paracetamol. Its measuring spoon allows you to dial the dose of the drug immediately by weight, without calculating it in mg.

All other drugs “Panadol”, “Kalpol”, “Paracetamol” syrup, etc. require mathematical operations, multiplying the weight by 0.6. For example, if a child weighs 10 kg, then 10 * 0.6 = 6 ml of “Panadol” should be given. This dose can be repeated after 6 hours.

Can I alternate them?

Yes, but there must be at least 2 hours between paracetamol and ibuprofen. If they are taken together, then there is a danger of kidney damage.

Why not other medicines for fever?

Medical studies have not revealed any real benefit from other drugs, but they have determined the harm of each:

• “No-shpa” has no effect on cold hands and feet, but it has a list of side effects.
• “Analgin” is dangerous for the development of loss of consciousness and should not be used by parents without the presence of ambulance and emergency workers.
• Nise caused liver damage in one of 250 patients taking it
• Aspirin can cause liver and brain damage in children

How much liquid do you need to drink to lower your temperature?

For every kilogram of weight a child should drink 4 ml per hour. That is, if a child weighs 10 kg, then every hour he should drink at least 10 * 4 = 40 ml.

Can I wipe?

It is possible, after taking an antipyretic, to wipe with water with a temperature 1-2 degrees lower than the child’s body temperature. That is, if it has 40 ° C, then the water temperature should be 38-39 ° C. You need to wipe all areas of the skin that are hot to the touch, leaving wet until dry. Then measure the temperature again. A decrease of 1-1.5 degrees is sufficient to terminate the procedure.

What to do with cold hands and feet?

Gently warm them by rubbing gently until the skin turns slightly red, using wool, a terry towel or just your palms.

How long to wait for the effect of antipyretic and sponging?

Two hours. If the temperature has not decreased, then you should give a second antipyretic, continue rubbing and drinking for another 2 hours. If the temperature has not decreased and / or even increased, then call an ambulance.

How can an ambulance help?

Assess the child’s condition, determine if hospitalization is necessary in this case. Provide assistance by injecting drugs and medical methods to reduce the temperature in a child. It is with fever, in fact, it is needed in a very small percentage of cases, ineffectiveness of antipyretics associated with hyperthermia – a condition that complicates fever, when the child is not able to give off body heat.

How to take the temperature correctly?

Mercury glass thermometer measurement under the arm in children is already considered the least preferred because of the danger of breaking it. It was replaced by electronic and infrared thermometers. Few people know, but to get a result comparable to a mercury thermometer, the electronic one must be under the armpit for the same time. That is, 5 minutes if the child was at room temperature. And 10 minutes if it was at a lower temperature before the measurement.

Why do electronic thermometers show lower temperatures?

Carved reasons: loose pressure, measurement less than 5 minutes, sweat, skin vasospasm, low battery, no factory setting for skin temperature measurement. You can use these thermometers subject to correction. To do this, an adult, without fever, puts an electronic one under one armpit, and a mercury one under the other. Measures 5 minutes and compares. For example, we got 35.6 and 36.6 respectively. With subsequent measurements, electronic will add 1 degree.

Which thermometer is best?

The temple area has a temperature equal to the armpit. To measure it, infrared thermometers are used. This is the most optimal method for parents today. For proper use, you need much less subtleties: wipe sweat from your temple, remove hair, keep at the right distance (indicated in the instructions), change the battery in time, set up to measure the temperature of the temporal region (also written in the instructions). The use of other thermometers: in the nipple, ear, forehead strips – is fraught with measurement errors in the direction of underestimation or false increase.

How often should the temperature be taken?

A child with fever needs temperature control:

• every 6 hours if antipyretics are not required
• every 4 hours if they are effective
• every 2 hours if they are not effective.

Child with normal temperature but acute illness, every 12 hours, measured in the evening. For a healthy child with a risk of acute illness by contact or an increase in temperature for vaccination, according to the state, for control, measure once a day, in the evening. Healthy children with no risk of disease do not.

Is it possible to bring down the temperature – Lifehacker

Health

May 3, 2018

It turns out that you can, even if the thermometer shows less than 38.5 ° C.

Why it is believed that the temperature should not be brought down too early

High temperature, that is, fever, is a sign of a huge number of diseases. But most often we encounter it when we catch SARS or the flu. And so we sit at home and think, is it time to reach for a package of pills so that the head stops cracking, or is it worth the wait.

In recommendations and medical textbooks, the phrase that the temperature, if it has not reached 38.5 ° C, should not be lowered, has been written so long ago, that this postulate seems to be unshakable. We ourselves wrote about this when we recommended how to treat SARS.

There are still two camps of researchers. Some believe that it is necessary to let the temperature work, because this is a natural protective reaction of the body to infection and some bacteria and viruses die in this case. Others argue that the fever itself does more harm than good. Neither side has hard evidence.

Why can the temperature be brought down if it is not high

Gradually, a reservation began to penetrate into the recommendations for the treatment of infections: if a person (especially a child) does not feel well even at a lower temperature, then it is better to give him an antipyretic.

How high the temperature rises has always been important to doctors. So they could identify the infection. But there is a study that says that no matter how high the temperature rises, it is not at all an accurate diagnostic criterion for the severity of the disease.

That is, it would seem a logical thought: “I have a slight fever, so nothing serious, but if it was over 39 ° C, then yes, then something terrible is coming” – not confirmed .

You can lie down with a temperature of 40 ° C for a couple of days and not remember it anymore, or you can rumble to the hospital with complications with the classic 37. 2 ° C in a couple of weeks.

Pediatricians generally recommend not taking the temperature of a sick child, but giving painkillers – paracetamol or ibuprofen – just to make the person feel better. Most likely, the temperature will also decrease, well, okay, if only you feel better.

And most importantly, there is no evidence that endurance, persistence and high temperature, which is not tried to reduce, help to recover faster. In general, fever has little effect on the rate of recovery. And this means that it is quite possible to bring down the temperature if it is unpleasant for you to endure even 37.2 ° C.

Fever can be a sign of very serious problems, but, as a rule, the patient’s well-being leaves no doubt that the matter is bad and you need to call an ambulance. Well, if with a common cold or even the flu your head breaks and your joints ache, then there is no point in mocking yourself and waiting for the thermometer to reach the border of 38.5 ° C in order to finally rush to the antipyretic.