The Trials
& Tribulations of Fever:
Myths &
Facts
1.
Does a fever above 102.5
mean you need to go to the ER?
One of the most common questions parents ask is “at which temperature
is a fever dangerous”?
Before going into more detail, a
fever is defined as a temperature above 100.4°F or 38°C. Read more
information on taking
your child’s temperature
There is no set number that dictates whether or not a fever is
dangerous. I have seen children with fevers of 105°F who are playing and
running down the hallway, and conversely, have seen children with a temperature
of just above 100°F feel miserable and become very ill. Additionally, the seriousness of a fever
greatly depends on the age of the child. Any infant with a fever who is less
than 3 months of age should be urgently evaluated by a physician because of
their increased risk for serious infections. Infants less than 3 months old
with a fever can become very ill, very quickly. Infants less than 3 months old should have their temperature measured rectally if there is concern for fever or illness.
Rather than a set number, pediatricians look more for other symptoms and
physical examination findings that may accompany a fever to determine severity.
For instance, any child who is lethargic, unable to drink fluids, or is in any
way concerning to a parent, should be evaluated by a physician. A child who is
happy, playful, and able to eat and drink, can typically be observed at home
even if they have a fever.
It is also important to know that your child’s temperature will NOT continue
to rise if you do not give them medications like Tylenol® or Motrin®. The
instances where temperature will rise above 106 or 107 degrees are in cases of
heat stroke (i.e. being left in a car) or in children who have underlying
severe medical problems affecting their brains ability to regulate temperature.
2.
Myth: You should always give
medication to reduce a child’s fever because the temperature will continue to
rise.
As mentioned above, unless there are rare circumstances, a child’s
temperature will not continue to rise uncontrollably. Our body’s mechanisms to
control our internal temperature will take over and keep the fever from going
too high.
Fevers are actually a good thing!
Fever means that your child’s body has recognized that there is a
foreign process occurring in their body (like an infection) and has started
fighting the infection.
Because fevers can make children uncomfortable and even act a little “wacky”,
medications to reduce fever can be given to help control the symptoms. Fever
reducing medications should not be given just because of a number.
Fever reducing medications like Tylenol® or Motrin® are given based on the
weight of the child. The
weight (measured in kilograms) is what determines the dosage amount.
Motrin® (ibuprofen) should not be given
to children less than 6 months old.Do not guess the correct dose of medication, ask your child’s pediatrician what the correct dose should be for your child.
3.
All teaspoons and
tablespoons are created equal. (True or False)
False
Take a look around your kitchen. You are likely to have a couple, if
not several different teaspoons or tablespoons. Just because something is
labeled as such, does not mean that it will give the correct amount. I have
seen several utensils labeled as teaspoons which can be off by as much as 50%,
and causing too little or too much medication to be given if used to dose a
medication. Side effects of too much medication can be severe, and even deadly,
so the importance of correct dosing cannot be overstressed.
When giving medication to
children, it is best to use a syringe or standard measuring device that
shows how many milliliters (mL) are being provided to the child. Ask your
pharmacist for syringes or medicine cups to provide the correct dose to your
child.
4.
Fact: High fevers can cause a
child to have a seizure.
Febrile seizures, which is a seizure occurring while the child has a
fever and not related to an underlying seizure disorder, like epilepsy, is rare
in children. While most febrile seizures occur at temperatures above 102°F, the
reason for a seizure to occur is more likely related a rapid rise in
temperature and family genetics rather than the actual number. If you have
family history of febrile seizures, talk with your pediatrician about signs to
look for and what to do in the event of a fever or febrile seizure.
5.
When should parents call the
pediatrician?
In my practice, I tell parents that any time they are concerned about
their child, I want to know about it so that we can discuss symptoms and make a
plan that is best for their child. In general, if your child is having fevers
for 4 or more days, your pediatrician should know about it. Any child who is less than 3 months old
with a fever should be urgently evaluated by a physician. Additionally, if
a child with fever is unable to drink fluids, is acting lethargic, has severe
pains, or is acting in any way concerning to the parent(s), they should be
evaluated by a physician.
For more information about fever
and the recommended treatment, please consult with your pediatrician.
Read more about concierge pediatric care: providing 24/7 access to the pediatrician,
house calls, and telemedicine, at Boca
VIPediatrics
Like us on Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment