What causes fever in children. How to recognize fever symptoms in kids. When should you treat a child’s fever. What are effective ways to reduce fever in children. When to call a healthcare provider for a child’s fever.

What is a Fever and How Does the Body Regulate Temperature?

A fever is typically defined by healthcare providers as a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. The human body has several mechanisms to maintain its normal temperature, involving organs such as the brain, skin, muscles, and blood vessels. These mechanisms include:

• Adjusting sweat production
• Controlling blood flow to the skin’s surface
• Regulating water retention in the body
• Seeking appropriate environmental temperatures

During a fever, the body’s thermostat is temporarily reset to a higher temperature. This elevation in body temperature serves several purposes in fighting infections:

1. Production of chemicals called cytokines and mediators in response to invading microorganisms or other intruders
2. Increased production of macrophages, cells that combat and consume invading organisms
3. Stimulation of natural antibody production to fight current and future infections
4. Response to toxins released by disrupted bacterial membranes

Common Causes of Fever in Children

Fever can be caused by various conditions, including:

• Infectious diseases
• Certain medications
• Heat stroke
• Blood transfusions
• Brain disorders
• Some types of cancer
• Autoimmune diseases

Is fever always a sign of a serious condition? No, fever itself is not an illness but rather a symptom indicating that the body is fighting an infection or other health issue. In fact, fever can be beneficial as it stimulates the body’s defense mechanisms, mobilizing white blood cells and other immune system components to combat the underlying cause.

Recognizing Fever Symptoms in Children

Children with fevers may exhibit various symptoms as their body temperature rises. These can include:

• Decreased activity and talkativeness
• Increased fussiness and irritability
• Reduced appetite and increased thirst
• Feeling warm or hot to the touch

How can you accurately assess a child’s temperature? While a child may feel “burning up,” it’s important to note that the actual measured temperature may not be as high as it seems. For infants under 3 months of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends contacting a healthcare provider immediately if the temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

When Should a Child’s Fever Be Treated?

Should every fever be treated? Not necessarily. In children, fever treatment is generally recommended when it causes discomfort. It’s important to understand that treating the fever won’t accelerate the body’s ability to fight off the infection; rather, it provides relief from the associated discomfort.

Are febrile seizures a concern? Children between 6 months and 5 years of age may experience febrile seizures, which are seizures triggered by fever. While these can be alarming, they don’t necessarily indicate epilepsy, and children often outgrow them. Current evidence doesn’t suggest that treating the fever reduces the risk of febrile seizures.

Effective Methods to Reduce Fever in Children

How can you help lower your child’s fever? Here are several strategies:

1. Administer appropriate antifever medications:
   • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are commonly recommended
   • Avoid giving aspirin to children due to its association with Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal condition
2. Dress your child in light clothing to prevent trapping body heat
3. Encourage fluid intake through juices, clear soups, or popsicles to prevent dehydration
4. Offer a lukewarm bath, being careful not to induce shivering, which can raise body temperature

Are there any methods to avoid? Yes, alcohol baths should not be used to reduce fever in children. Additionally, never leave a child unattended in the bathtub during fever reduction efforts.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Child’s Fever

Under what circumstances should you contact a healthcare provider about your child’s fever? Unless advised otherwise by your child’s healthcare provider, seek medical attention immediately if:

• Your child is 3 months old or younger and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Your child of any age experiences repeated fevers above 104°F (40°C)
• Your child is younger than 2 years of age and the fever persists

Why is prompt medical attention crucial for young infants with fever? In babies under 3 months, fever can be a sign of a dangerous infection that requires immediate medical intervention.

Understanding the Role of Fever in the Immune Response

How does fever contribute to the body’s defense against infections? Fever plays a crucial role in stimulating the immune system and creating an inhospitable environment for pathogens. Here’s how:

• Increased body temperature accelerates metabolic processes, including those involved in immune function
• Higher temperatures can inhibit the growth and reproduction of some bacteria and viruses
• Fever triggers the release of additional white blood cells and enhances their ability to fight infections
• It promotes the production of acute-phase proteins, which are important in the early stages of infection response

Does this mean fever should never be treated? Not necessarily. While fever has beneficial effects, treating it can provide comfort and prevent potential complications, especially in young children or those with underlying health conditions.

The Balancing Act of Fever Management

Managing fever in children requires a delicate balance between allowing the body’s natural defenses to work and ensuring the child’s comfort and safety. Parents and caregivers should focus on monitoring the child’s overall condition rather than solely on the temperature reading.

What are some key indicators of a child’s well-being during a fever? Consider the following:

• Alertness and responsiveness
• Ability to maintain hydration
• Presence of other concerning symptoms
• Duration of the fever

Fever Prevention and Long-Term Health Considerations

While fever itself is often a symptom rather than a preventable condition, there are steps parents can take to reduce the likelihood of infections that may lead to fever:

1. Encourage regular hand washing
2. Maintain up-to-date vaccinations
3. Promote a healthy diet rich in immune-boosting nutrients
4. Ensure adequate sleep and stress management
5. Avoid close contact with individuals who are ill

How can parents support their child’s immune system development? Exposing children to a variety of environments and allowing them to experience minor illnesses can actually help strengthen their immune systems over time. However, this should be balanced with appropriate hygiene practices and medical care when necessary.

The Impact of Chronic or Recurrent Fevers

In some cases, children may experience chronic or recurrent fevers. These situations warrant closer medical attention and may indicate underlying health issues.

What conditions might cause persistent or recurring fevers in children?

• Autoimmune disorders
• Periodic fever syndromes
• Chronic infections
• Some forms of juvenile arthritis
• Certain cancers, though rare in children

If a child experiences frequent or long-lasting fevers, it’s essential to work closely with a pediatrician or specialist to identify the root cause and develop an appropriate management plan.

Technological Advancements in Fever Monitoring and Management

As technology continues to evolve, new tools and methods for monitoring and managing fever in children are emerging. These innovations aim to provide more accurate, convenient, and comprehensive fever management solutions for parents and healthcare providers.

What are some recent technological advancements in fever monitoring?

• Smart thermometers that connect to smartphones for easy tracking and data sharing with healthcare providers
• Wearable devices that continuously monitor body temperature and other vital signs
• Infrared thermal imaging cameras for non-contact temperature screening in public spaces
• AI-powered symptom checkers that help parents assess the severity of a child’s condition

How can these technologies benefit fever management in children? They offer several advantages:

1. More accurate and consistent temperature readings
2. Easier tracking of fever patterns over time
3. Improved communication between parents and healthcare providers
4. Early detection of potential health issues
5. Reduced anxiety for parents through better information and guidance

The Future of Fever Management

As our understanding of fever and its role in the immune response continues to grow, we can expect further advancements in fever management strategies. Research is ongoing in areas such as:

• Personalized fever treatment protocols based on individual immune profiles
• Development of more targeted antipyretic medications with fewer side effects
• Integration of fever monitoring with broader health tracking systems
• Improved diagnostic tools to quickly identify the underlying causes of fever

These developments hold promise for more effective and tailored approaches to managing fever in children, potentially reducing complications and improving overall health outcomes.

Cultural Perspectives on Fever and Its Management

Attitudes towards fever and its treatment can vary significantly across different cultures and regions. Understanding these diverse perspectives is important for healthcare providers and can influence how families approach fever management.

How do cultural beliefs impact fever management? Some cultures may view fever as:

• A natural and necessary process for fighting illness
• A sign of imbalance in the body’s energy or humors
• A result of spiritual or supernatural influences
• A condition best treated with traditional remedies rather than modern medicine

These beliefs can affect how quickly parents seek medical attention, their willingness to use certain treatments, and their overall approach to caring for a child with fever.

Bridging Cultural Gaps in Fever Management

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in bridging cultural gaps and ensuring effective fever management for all children. This involves:

1. Cultural sensitivity training for medical professionals
2. Clear communication about the scientific basis of fever and its treatment
3. Respectful integration of traditional practices with evidence-based medicine where appropriate
4. Development of culturally tailored health education materials
5. Engagement with community leaders to promote understanding and trust

By acknowledging and respecting diverse cultural perspectives while providing accurate medical information, healthcare systems can improve fever management outcomes across different communities.

The Psychological Impact of Fever on Children and Families

Fever in children can have significant psychological effects on both the child and their family members. Understanding and addressing these impacts is an important aspect of comprehensive fever management.

How does fever affect a child’s emotional state? Children with fever may experience:

• Increased irritability and mood swings
• Anxiety or fear, especially if they don’t understand what’s happening to their body
• Frustration due to physical discomfort and limitations on activities
• Regression in behavior or emotional responses

Parents and caregivers may also face psychological challenges when dealing with a child’s fever, including:

1. Anxiety about the child’s health and potential complications
2. Stress from disrupted routines and sleep patterns
3. Feelings of helplessness or guilt
4. Decision fatigue regarding treatment options and when to seek medical care

Strategies for Emotional Support During Fever Episodes

To mitigate the psychological impact of fever on children and families, consider the following approaches:

• Provide age-appropriate explanations to help children understand what’s happening in their bodies
• Maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor to help reduce anxiety
• Offer comfort measures such as favorite toys, stories, or gentle physical contact
• Encourage open communication about fears and concerns
• Seek support from family members, friends, or support groups for parents
• Practice self-care to maintain emotional resilience as a caregiver

By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of fever management, families can navigate these challenging times more effectively, promoting better overall health outcomes and stronger family relationships.

Fever in Children | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is a fever?

A fever is defined by most healthcare provider as a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) and higher when taken rectally.

The body has several ways to maintain normal body temperature. The organs involved in helping with temperature regulation include the brain, skin, muscle, and blood vessels. The body responds to changes in temperature by:

• Increasing or decreasing sweat production.

• Moving blood away from, or closer to, the surface of the skin.

• Getting rid of, or holding on to, water in the body.

• Seeking a cooler or warmer environment.

When your child has a fever, the body works the same way to control the temperature, but it has temporarily reset its thermostat at a higher temperature. The temperature increases for a number of reasons:

• Chemicals, called cytokines and mediators, are made in the body in response to an invasion from a microorganism, malignancy, or other intruder.

• The body is making more macrophages, which are cells that go to combat when intruders are present in the body. These cells actually “eat-up” the invading organism.

• The body is busily trying to make natural antibodies, which fight infection. These antibodies will recognize the infection next time it tries to invade.

• Many bacteria are enclosed in an overcoat-like membrane. When this membrane is disrupted or broken, the contents that escape can be toxic to the body and stimulate the brain to raise the temperature.

What conditions can cause a fever?

The following conditions can cause a fever:

• Infectious diseases

• Certain medicines

• Heat stroke

• Blood transfusion

• Disorders in the brain

• Some kinds of cancer

• Some autoimmune diseases

What are the benefits of a fever?

Fever is not an illness. It is a symptom, or sign that your body is fighting an illness or infection. Fever stimulates the body’s defenses, sending white blood cells and other “fighter” cells to fight and destroy the cause of the infection.

What are the symptoms that my child may have a fever?

Children with fevers may become more uncomfortable as the temperature rises. In addition to a body temperature greater than 100.4°F (38°C), symptoms may include:

• Your child may not be as active or talkative as usual.

• He or she may seem fussier, less hungry, and thirstier.

• Your child may feel warm or hot. Remember that even if your child feels like he or she is “burning up,” the measured temperature may not be that high.

The symptoms of a fever may look like other medical conditions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, you should call your child’s healthcare provider immediately. If you are unsure, always check with your child’s healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

When should a fever be treated?

In children, a fever that is making them uncomfortable should be treated. Treating your child’s fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any faster; it simply will relieve discomfort associated with fever. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years can develop seizures from fever (called febrile seizures). If your child does have a febrile seizure, there is a chance that the seizure may occur again, but, usually, children outgrow the febrile seizures. A febrile seizure does not mean your child has epilepsy. There is no evidence that treating the fever will reduce the risk of having a febrile seizure.

What can I do to decrease my child’s fever?

Give your child an antifever medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. DO NOT give your child aspirin, as it has been linked to a serious, potentially fatal disease, called Reye syndrome.

Other ways to reduce a fever:

• Dress your child lightly. Excess clothing will trap body heat and cause the temperature to rise.

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids, such as juices, soda, punch, or popsicles.

• Give your child a lukewarm bath. Do not allow your child to shiver from cold water, as this can raise the body temperature. NEVER leave your child unattended in the bathtub. 

• DO NOT use alcohol baths.

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?

Unless advised otherwise by your child’s healthcare provider, call the provider right away if:

• Your child is 3 months old or younger and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Get medical care right away. Fever in a young baby can be a sign of a dangerous infection.

• Your child is of any age and has repeated fevers above 104°F (40°C).

• Your child is younger than 2 years of age and a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) continues for more than 1 day.

• Your child is 2 years old or older and a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) continues for more than 3 days.

• Your baby is fussy or cries and cannot be soothed.

Fever | Boston Children’s Hospital

Your child has a fever if her temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The body has several ways to maintain normal body temperature. The body responds to changes in temperature by:

• increasing or decreasing sweat production
• moving blood away from, or closer to, the surface of the skin
• getting rid of, or holding on to, water in the body
• naturally wanting to seek a cooler or warmer environment

What causes a fever?

When your child has a fever, her body works the same way to control the temperature but it resets its thermostat at a higher temperature. The temperature increases for a number of reasons:

• Chemicals called cytokines or mediators are produced in the body in response to an invasion from a microorganism, malignancy, or other intruder.
• The body is making more macrophages, which are cells that go to combat when intruders are present in the body. These cells actually “eat up” the invading organism.
• The body is busily trying to produce natural antibodies which fight infection. These antibodies will recognize the infection next time it tries to invade.
• Many bacteria are enclosed in an overcoat-like membrane. When this membrane is disrupted or broken, the contents that escape can be toxic to the body and stimulate the brain to raise the temperature.

What conditions can cause a fever?

The following conditions can cause a fever:

• infectious diseases
• certain medications
• heat stroke
• blood transfusion
• disorders of the brain

What are the benefits of a fever?

A fever actually helps the body destroy its microbial invader. It also stimulates an inflammatory response, which sends all kinds of substances to the area of infection to protect the area, prevent the spread of the invader, and start the healing process.

What are the symptoms that my child may have a fever?

Children with fevers may become more uncomfortable as the temperature rises. The following are the most common symptoms of a fever. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. In addition to a body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, symptoms may include:

• Your child may not be as active or talkative as usual.
• She may seem fussier, less hungry, or thirstier.
• Your child may feel warm or hot. Remember that even if your child feels like she is “burning up,” the actual rectal or oral temperature may not be that high.

The symptoms of a fever may resemble other medical conditions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child is younger that 2 months of age and has a rectal temperature of 100. 4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you should call your pediatrician. If you are unsure, always consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.

When should a fever be treated?

If your child is very uncomfortable, treatment may be necessary. Treating your child’s fever will not help her body get rid of the infection any quicker, but it will relieve discomfort associated with it.

Rarely, children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years can develop seizures from high fever (called febrile seizures). If your child does have a febrile seizure, there is a chance that the seizure may occur again, but, usually, children outgrow the febrile seizures. A febrile seizure does not mean your child has epilepsy.

What can I do to decrease my child’s fever?

Give her an anti-fever medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. DO NOT give your child aspirin, as it has been linked to a serious, potentially fatal disease, called Reye syndrome.

Other ways to reduce a fever:

• Dress your child lightly. Excess clothing will trap body heat and cause her temperature to rise.
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids.
• Give your child a lukewarm bath.
• Place cold washcloths over areas of the body where the blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin such as the forehead, wrists, and groin.

When should I call my child’s physician?

If your child’s temperature reaches 105 degrees Fahrenheit, this is considered a medical emergency and your child needs immediate medical attention, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Call your child’s physician immediately if your child is younger than 3 months old and any of the following conditions are present:

• Your child’s rectal temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Your child is crying inconsolably.
• Your child is difficult to awaken.
• Your child’s neck is stiff
• Purple spots are present on the skin.
• Breathing is difficult AND does not improve after you clear the nose.
• Your child is unable to swallow anything and is drooling saliva.
• Your child looks or acts very sick; if possible, check your child’s appearance one hour after your child has taken an appropriate dose of acetaminophen.

Call your child’s physician within 24 hours if your child, 3 months or older, has any of the following conditions present:

• The fever is 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (especially if your child is younger than 2 years old)
• Burning or pain occurs with urination
• Your child has had a fever for more than 24 hours without an obvious cause or location of infection.

Call your child’s physician during office hours if any of the following conditions are present:

• Your child has had a fever for more than 72 hours.
• The fever went away for more than 24 hours and then returned.
• Your child has a history of febrile seizures.
• You have other concerns or questions.

reasons, recommendations of doctors of the Central Medical Clinic CMD Perovo, st.

Novogireevskaya

An increase in body temperature in a child is the most common reason for seeking emergency medical care. And of course, it is right when the child’s parents, not self-medicating, seek medical help when their child has a fever.

However, it is useful for all parents to know some of the main causes of fever (fever) in a child and ways to normalize it.

Fever is divided into three main degrees of severity:

• A – fever from 37.0 to 37.9 degrees – mild or subfebrile fever, subfebrile condition;
• B – temperature increase from 38.0 to 39.0 degrees C – moderate fever;
• B – from 39.0 to 41.0 – high fever;
• D – increase in body temperature above 41 degrees – excessive (life-threatening) fever.

Fever in an infant

The body temperature of a newborn child during the first 5 – 7 days of life fluctuates around 37. 0, and in some children, an increase in body temperature during this period up to 38.0 – 39.0 is possible. This phenomenon is called transient hyperthermia of the newborn. In addition to hyperthermia, newborns are even more likely to have hypothermia, that is, a decrease in body temperature below normal. Due to the immaturity of the brain structures, not only newborn children, but also children of the younger age group up to 3-5 years old have a tendency to overheat quickly and to quickly hypothermia. Especially such a “volatility” of body temperature is typical, of course, for children in the first year of life. Therefore, if you, having measured the body temperature of a baby, found an increase in body temperature to 37.0 – 37.4 degrees, do not rush to immediately call a pediatrician. It is enough to measure the body temperature, having previously unswaddled the child, or simply remove a warm blanket from him so that after 15-20 minutes the temperature returns to normal.

Another common cause of an increase in body temperature in the first 1. 5 – 2 years of a child’s life is a reaction to teething. We wrote about this problem in a separate article on our website. In a nutshell, let me remind you that the reaction to teething in children is very individual. An increase in body temperature, most often, fits into the range from 37.1 to 37.6 degrees. Elevated temperature during teething usually lasts no more than 2-3 days, and in most children does not require the use of antipyretic drugs. However, in some cases, when teething, the child may have a fairly high fever of up to 38.0 and even up to 39.0 degrees. In this case, you can not do without the use of special anti-inflammatory gels for application to the gums and antipyretics in the form of suppositories (candles), such as Nurofen.

Prolonged, subfebrile fever in a child

If in infants the cause of sudden “temperature jumps”, most often, is the immaturity of the nervous system and the reaction to teething, then in older children, often prolonged subfebrile body temperature is kept against the background of psycho-emotional experiences, academic failure, conflict situations in the family. A separate problem is the active introduction of various electronic gadgets into the lives of modern children, sometimes from a very early age. So, for a child from 4 to 6 years old, who is already used to spending several hours a day at a computer or a game console, prolonged subfebrile condition can generally become commonplace, and parents, when they grab their heads from the thermometer readings, drag their child to neurologists , immunologists and infectious disease specialists, passing a bunch of tests, instead of just finding something more useful and healthy for the child.

NOTE TO PARENTS

Child has fever. What to do?

1 If your child’s temperature suddenly rises (he was still healthy an hour ago), do not panic. As a rule, this is an acute respiratory disease, because it is ARI that makes up about 90% of childhood infections.

2. If the day before the child already had symptoms of infection (malaise, runny nose, sore throat, cough, change in voice, moderate pain in the abdomen), then this is most likely a manifestation of the child’s body’s protective reaction to this infection .

3. If the child tolerates elevated body temperature well up to 39-39.60, is older than 6 months, and does not have serious concomitant diseases, then do not rush to reduce it. Make sure your child has enough to drink for adequate perspiration (drinking temperature should be around body temperature for rapid absorption). The air in the room should be cool (18-200) to cool the upper respiratory tract, as well as the entire body of the child. Under no circumstances should babies be wrapped.

4. If a child does not tolerate fever or has a severe concomitant pathology, we begin to reduce the temperature, or rather, we strive to improve the child’s well-being. For this, a decrease in temperature to the norm is not required (remember the protective role of elevated temperature). We use drugs ibuprofen and paracetamol (trade names may be different) approved for children in the Russian Federation in the form of syrups, drops, suppositories and tablets. The main thing is not to exceed the recommended daily dose of the drug. To improve well-being, the minimum dose of the drug indicated in the instructions may be sufficient. Typically, drug-resistant fevers are associated with the child’s inability to sweat (drinks little or the child has a “pale” type of fever).

What should not be done when the temperature is high?

• Do not wrap up the child

• If he is pale and his extremities are cool (“pale” type of fever), do not use ice and cold water for cooling

• Do not use aspirin, analgin, etc., to reduce body temperature, drugs not approved for fever in children

How soon should the child be seen by a doctor?

If the child’s health does not suffer (especially after the temperature drops), you can see a doctor the next day. The best option would be to go directly to the clinic at the place of residence, then the doctor will have the opportunity to timely conduct laboratory and instrumental examinations.