Top 5 fever myths and facts

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For many parents, fever is one of the most concerning and alarming symptoms a child can have. There are many scary fever myths out there – and it’s time to set the record straight! To many pediatricians, fever is considered a good sign that the body is mounting a response to an infection. Here are my top five fever myths and facts:

Myth #1: Temperatures between 98.7°F and 100°F (37.1°C to 37.8°C) are low-grade fevers.

Fact: These temperatures are actually normal variations and are not fevers. The body’s temperature changes throughout the day and is naturally higher in the afternoon and evening. An actual fever is any temperature of 100.4°F or higher.

Myth #2: Fevers are bad, can cause brain damage or seizures and are dangerous to my child.

Fact: Fevers are a protective mechanism and a sign that the body’s immune system is turned on. Most fevers are good for sick children and help the body fight infection. Fevers do not cause brain damage. As for seizures, the vast majority (96 percent) of children do not have seizures with a fever. About 4 percent of children can have a seizure with a fever – this is called a febrile seizure. Febrile seizures are scary to watch, but they usually stop within five minutes. They do not cause brain damage or have long-term side effects. Children who have had febrile seizures are not at greater risk for developmental delays or learning disabilities.

Myth #3: All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen). After treatment, the fever should go away completely.

Fact: Fevers need to be treated only if the child is uncomfortable. For young children, that usually means fevers over 102°F or 103°F (39°C or 39.4°C). With treatment, fevers usually come down 2°F or 3°F (1.1°C or 1.7°C) but may not go away completely. There is no harm in not treating a fever.

Myth #4: The exact number of the temperature is very important. If the fever is high, the cause is serious.

Fact: How your child looks is what’s important, not the exact temperature. If the fever is high, the cause may or may not be serious. If your child looks very well, the cause is likely to be less serious. One exception is in babies who are less than 3 months of age. They should always be seen by a health care provider right away if they have a fever because their immune systems are not fully developed. If it’s the weekend and your baby spikes a fever, it’s best to call your doctor’s office and take them to an urgent care.

Myth #5: If the fever doesn’t come down (if you can’t “break the fever”), the cause is serious.

Fact: Whether a fever comes down or not, is not related to the seriousness of the infection. The height of the fever and how long it lasts does not tell us whether it is caused by a virus or bacteria. What matters most is how your child looks.

Author

Dr. Erica Wang, Texas Children’s Pediatrics – Grand Parkway

Departments

Texas Children’s Pediatrics

Fever: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Fever is the temporary increase in the body’s temperature in response to a disease or illness.

A child has a fever when the temperature is at or above one of these levels:

• 100.4°F (38°C) measured in the bottom (rectally)
• 99.5°F (37.5°C) measured in the mouth (orally)
• 99°F (37.2°C) measured under the arm (axillary)

An adult probably has a fever when the temperature is above 99°F to 99.5°F (37.2°C to 37.5°C), depending on the time of day.

Normal body temperature may change during any given day. It is usually highest in the evening. Other factors that may affect body temperature are:

• A woman’s menstrual cycle. In the second part of this cycle, her temperature may go up by 1 degree Fahrenheit or more.
• Physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medicines, high room temperature, and high humidity can all increase body temperature.

Fever is an important part of the body’s defense against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 98.6°F (37°C). Many infants and children develop high fevers with mild viral illnesses. Although a fever signals that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for, not against the person.

Brain damage from a fever generally will not occur unless the fever is over 107.6°F (42°C). Untreated fevers caused by infection will seldom go over 105°F (40.6°C) unless the child is overdressed or in a hot place.

Febrile seizures do occur in some children. Most febrile seizures are over quickly and do not mean your child has epilepsy. These seizures also do not cause any permanent harm.

Unexplained fevers that continue for days or weeks are called fevers of undetermined origin (FUO).

Almost any infection can cause a fever, including:

• Bone infections (osteomyelitis), appendicitis, skin infections or cellulitis, and meningitis
• Respiratory infections such as colds or flu-like illnesses, sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, mononucleosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis
• Urinary tract infections
• Viral gastroenteritis and bacterial gastroenteritis

Children and adults may have a low-grade fever for 1 or 2 days after some immunizations.

Teething may cause a slight increase in a child’s temperature, but not higher than 100°F (37.8°C).

Autoimmune or inflammatory disorders may also cause fevers. Some examples are:

• Arthritis or connective tissue illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease
• Vasculitis or periarteritis nodosa

The first symptom of a cancer may be a fever. This is particularly true of Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia.

Other possible causes of fever include:

• Blood clots or thrombophlebitis
• Medicines, such as some antibiotics, antihistamines, and seizure medicines

A simple cold or other viral infection can sometimes cause a high fever (102°F to 104°F or 38.9°C to 40°C). This does not mean you or your child has a serious problem. Some serious infections don’t cause a fever or can cause a very low body temperature, most often in infants.

If the fever is mild and you have no other problems, you do not need treatment. Drink fluids and rest.

The illness is probably not serious if your child:

• Is still interested in playing
• Is eating and drinking well
• Is alert and smiling at you
• Has a normal skin color
• Looks well when their temperature comes down

Take steps to lower a fever if you or your child is uncomfortable, vomiting, dried out (dehydrated), or not sleeping well. Remember, the goal is to lower, not eliminate, the fever.

When trying to lower a fever:

• Do not bundle up someone who has chills.
• Remove excess clothing or blankets. The room should be comfortable, not too hot or cool. Try one layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket for sleep. If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help.
• A lukewarm bath or sponge bath may help cool someone with a fever. This is effective after medicine is given — otherwise the temperature might bounce right back up.
• Do not use cold baths, ice, or alcohol rubs. These cool the skin, but often make the situation worse by causing shivering, which raises the core body temperature.

Here are some guidelines for taking medicine to lower a fever:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help reduce fever in children and adults. Sometimes health care providers advise you to use both types of medicine.
• Take acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours. It works by turning down the brain’s thermostat.
• Take ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. Do not use ibuprofen in children 6 months or younger.
• Aspirin is very effective for treating fever in adults. Do not give aspirin to a child unless your child’s provider tells you to.
• Know how much you or your child weighs. Then check the instructions on the package to find the correct dose.
• In children 3 months or younger, call your child’s provider first before giving medicines.

Eating and drinking:

• Everyone, particularly children, should drink plenty of fluids. Water, ice pops, soup, and gelatin are all good choices.
• In younger children do not give too much fruit juice or apple juice, and do not give sports drinks.
• Although eating is fine, do not force foods.

Contact a provider right away if your child:

• Is 3 months or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Is 3 to 12 months old and has a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher
• Is 2 years or younger and has a fever that lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours
• Is older and has a fever for longer than 48 to 72 hours
• Has a fever of 105°F (40. 5°C) or higher, unless it comes down readily with treatment and the person is comfortable
• Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, or cough
• Has had fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if these fevers are not very high
• Has a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis
• Recently had an immunization
• Has a new rash or bruises
• Has pain with urination
• Has a weakened immune system (because of long-term [chronic] steroid therapy, a bone marrow or organ transplant, spleen removal, HIV/AIDS, or cancer treatment)
• Has recently traveled to another country

Contact your provider right away if you are an adult and you:

• Have a fever of 105°F (40.5°C) or higher, unless it comes down readily with treatment and you are comfortable
• Have a fever that stays at or keeps rising above 103°F (39. 4°C)
• Have a fever for longer than 48 to 72 hours
• Have had fevers come and go for up to a week or more, even if they are not very high
• Have a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, COPD, or other long-term (chronic) lung problems
• Have a new rash or bruises
• Have pain with urination
• Have a weakened immune system (from chronic steroid therapy, a bone marrow or organ transplant, spleen removal, HIV/AIDS, or cancer treatment)
• Have recently traveled to another country

Call 911 or the local emergency number if you or your child has a fever and:

• Is crying and cannot be calmed (children)
• Cannot be awakened easily or at all
• Seems confused
• Cannot walk
• Has difficulty breathing, even after the nose is cleared
• Has blue lips, tongue, or nails
• Has a very bad headache
• Has a stiff neck
• Refuses to move an arm or leg (children)
• Has a seizure

Your provider will perform a physical exam. This may include a detailed examination of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, chest, and abdomen to look for the cause of the fever.

Treatment depends on the duration and cause of the fever, as well as other symptoms.

The following tests may be performed:

• Blood tests, such as a CBC or white blood cell differential
• Urinalysis
• X-ray of the chest

Elevated temperature; Hyperthermia; Pyrexia; Febrile

• Colds and the flu – what to ask your doctor – adult
• Colds and the flu – what to ask your doctor – child
• Febrile seizures – what to ask your doctor
• When your baby or infant has a fever

• Thermometer temperature
• Temperature measurement

Leggett JE. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.

Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 201.

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Fever

The state of the body, characterized by a rise in body temperature above normal, is called fever. Normally, the temperature of the human body is maintained at a level of about 37 ° C, however, in some (often infectious) diseases, a protective and adaptive reaction occurs, which is based on an increase in body temperature with the obligatory preservation of the thermoregulation mechanism. This property is a hallmark of fever from hyperthermia (overheating). Pyrogens cause fever – substances that enter the body during infection (exogenous pyrogens) or are formed by cells of the immune system as a result, for example, of inflammation (endogenous pyrogens).

Fever always passes in three stages:

1. Rise in temperature – blood vessels constrict, skin becomes pale, there is a feeling of chills, muscle tremors, metabolism in muscles increases. At this stage, heat production is much higher than heat transfer.
2. Temperature retention – the mechanisms of heat production and heat transfer are balanced – the temperature can be fixed for hours, days or weeks. Skin vessels dilate, the skin ceases to be pale and becomes hot to the touch, chills and trembling go away. At this time, a person experiences a feeling of heat.
3. Drop in temperature – either a sharp or gradual decrease in body temperature is possible. At this stage, heat transfer significantly exceeds heat production, profuse sweating occurs and diuresis increases. This stage begins in case of exhaustion of exogenous reserves or cessation of production of endogenous pyrogens.

There are several types of fever:

• Remittent (laxative) type is characterized by diurnal changes in temperature, which does not drop to normal;
• Intermittent (intermittent) type characterized by rapid diurnal fluctuations in temperature, which falls to normal and rises again;
• Constant fever – slight fluctuations in elevated temperature during the day;
• Relapsing fever – constantly elevated temperature for one or more days, then its reduction to normal and repeated increase;
• Perverse fever – a rise in temperature in the morning is characteristic;
• Incorrect fever – temperature fluctuation during the day occurs without any dependence.

Most often, fever indicates the presence of an infectious disease, but it can also be a symptom of cancer.

Fever is treated by identifying and eliminating the source of the infection. If necessary, fever is removed with the help of antipyretics: Nurofen, Aspirin . For children, Nurfen suspension , Panadol suppositories are recommended. Also, to reduce the temperature, you can use alcohol compresses or cold lotions, body wraps and immersion in a cold water bath.

Pankratova Evgenia Igorevna

The material is for informational purposes only. Medicinal products, biologically active supplements and other products are indicated as an example of their possible use and / or application, which in no way constitutes a recommendation for their use. Before using drugs, dietary supplements and medical equipment and other products, be sure to consult a specialist.

Influenza leaflet | Ministry of Health of the Kaliningrad Region

We are sick correctly. Five mistakes in the treatment of influenza and SARS, and how to avoid them

The day before yesterday I had a sore throat, but hot tea seemed to help. Yesterday the nose stopped breathing, but there was so much work, there was not even enough time to go to the pharmacy for drops.
This morning it became clear that that’s all – the disease has completely captured the body. We urgently need to take action!
Thus begins a series of mistakes that most people make, instead of the path to recovery, choosing the path to a protracted illness and complications.

We’ll talk about five common misconceptions and explain why you shouldn’t.

Mistake one: no time to get sick
We have all become very busy: we have a million things to do and responsibilities. There is no time to get sick, so we pour medicines into ourselves on the run that relieve symptoms, turn off liters of hot tea, and it seems that the disease is receding. Often, unfortunately, it really only seems so . .. In a few days, everything can manifest itself again, and, most likely, in an enhanced form. If you do not pay attention to the disease again, it is easy to reach serious complications.
All I had to do was stay at home and call a doctor. For 3-4 days of rest and taking the medicines prescribed by the doctor, the body, not too tortured by life, usually copes with the disease.

Error two: bring down low temperature
Yes, we understand that fever is a headache and a cloudy state. Therefore, the majority rushes to drink antipyretics as soon as they see the numbers 37 with a tail on the thermometer. And it would be necessary to rejoice in the increase in body temperature. After all, this is a sign that the immune system is working, the body is fighting the disease. Remember: you do not need to bring down the temperature if it is below 38.5 degrees. Of course, this does not apply to cases where the patient has a severe headache or has a tendency to convulsions.

Error three: wrapping up and closing all windows
With a cold or flu, the patient often gets chills, and his only desire is to wrap himself in ten blankets. What he does, having previously closed all the windows in the apartment. Don’t do it! Wrap yourself in the eleventh blanket, but be sure to ventilate! This will help reduce the concentration of viruses and normalize the microclimate in the room. If you can’t stand even a slightly ajar window at all, leave the room every 2-3 hours, open the window wide open for five minutes (yes, even if it’s winter), then return to a well-ventilated room.

Mistake four: drinking antibiotics
You tried to get rid of the symptoms, but it’s still bad… Treated with home remedies – not much better… “What’s wrong!”, you exclaim and go to the pharmacy for antibiotics. Stop! Turn around home. Doctors are already tired of explaining that antibiotics work against bacteria, while flu and colds are viral diseases. So drink in vain. Harm the stomach, but you can’t cope with the disease. But even in the case of a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be prescribed by a doctor. Recently, bacteria have developed resistance to many drugs, and whether one or the other will help in your case, you can’t guess for sure. By taking antibiotics thoughtlessly, you will accustom bacteria to them, and they will no longer be afraid of them.

The fifth mistake, and the most important one: it will go away on its own…
These four points might not exist if we were more serious about observing hygiene rules, proper prevention and competent treatment of any diseases. And it’s not difficult. Airborne viruses enter our body through the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. If it is weakened or damaged, the viruses become attached to it and begin to multiply. Immunity can not cope and diseases develop: from simple, as we believe, colds to tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. In fact, even a common cold is often the beginning of a road to more serious ailments. That is why it is so important to properly strengthen the immune system and defend against viruses.

We hope that our advice will help you improve your health, and if you get sick, it is not often and not hard!

In the Russian Federation, the epidemic season of influenza and SARS continues, which is typical for this time of year.

The causative agents of influenza and SARS are transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets and are quite contagious (contagious).

With ARVI – acute respiratory viral infections of non-influenza etiology, the disease develops gradually, most often begins with fatigue and a runny nose, dry cough, which then turns into a wet one.

With influenza, there is a sharp deterioration in the condition – an increase in body temperature (in some cases up to 40.5 degrees), headache, “ache” in the muscles and joints, sensitivity to light. The most active phase falls on the 3rd-5th day of the disease, recovery on the 8th-10th day. The flu affects the blood vessels, so bleeding of the gums and nasal mucosa is possible. After suffering the flu, the body becomes extremely susceptible to various infections, which leads to severe infectious complications.

SARS and influenza are especially severe in young children, the elderly, people with chronic pathologies and diseases of the immune system.

The best protection against the flu is immunization. However, the vaccine does not protect against other SARS.

In order to prevent disease, it is necessary to strengthen and harden your body. Get enough sleep, observe the regime of work and rest, try to be in the fresh air more. Going for a walk, dress for the weather, try not to get cold when you are outside. If you get your feet wet, you need to steam them as soon as you return home.

Proper nutrition contributes to strengthening the body. Include in the diet foods containing vitamins A, C, zinc and calcium: citrus fruits, kiwi, sweet peppers, dairy and sour-milk products, hard cheeses, boiled fish, beef, carrots with sour cream, raisins or dried apricots, etc.

When planning to visit public places, take a medical mask with you: if you sneeze and cough in a public place, cover your mouth and nose with a medical mask or handkerchief – this will help prevent infection.

Any viral disease transferred “on the legs” can lead to undesirable consequences and complications in the future.