Fever
Levels
-
A
fever is a temperature of 1000F orally or 100.50F
rectally.
-
The
high of a fever does not correlate with the dangerousness of
the disease.
-
A
high fever is 1050F and above High fevers do not
injure children, and you need not panic. However your
child will feel more comfortable if you can lower his
temperature (See below) .
Fever
Treatment
-
The
main reason to treat a fever is to reduce your child's
discomfort and the risk of dehydration.
-
You
don't need to treat a fever with acetaminophen until your
child's temperature goes over 1020F, and
preferably only then if your child feels uncomfortable.
Light clothing, extra fluids, and a pleasantly cool room are
better treatment's unless the fever is higher.
-
Begin
sponging your child to lower his temperature only if
1. his temperature is over 1040F, and
2. fever medications given an hour before have still not lowered
his
fever, and
3. your child feels uncomfortable.
If
you don't wait an hour after giving medication a chance to work,
your child may actually feel chilled from the sponging and the
fever will rebound when you stop.
-
Take
your child's temperature before giving another dose of fever
medication if your child is extremely hot or you are not
sure he still has a fever and he's not feeling
much discomfort. If your child is uncomfortable,
though, it is OK to give another dose at the
proper time without first checking his temperature.
-
Don't
awaken your child for medication or temperature taking.
Sleep is more import than either.
When
to Contact the Doctor's Office
-
If
your infant less than 6 months old has even a low fever,
since he may have a serious infection without clear-cut
symptoms. (you shouldn't calling the doctor's office,
either.)
-
If
a lower fever without other symptoms lasts over 24 hours.
-
If
your child has a serious underlying disease and has
any degree of fever.
How
to Take Temperature
Rectal
temperature ( for children from birth to age 6)
Note
: temperatures from rectal readings will be 10 higher than
others . Don't leave your child unattended while taking his
temperature.
-
Make
sure you are using a rectal thermometer with a blunt bulb.
-
Shake
mercury level down to below 98.60F (370C).
-
Lubricate
bulb with petroleum jelly.
-
have
your child lie across your lap. Gently insert the bulb and
no more than 11/2 inches of the stem into his anus. Keep
your hand against his bottom, to prevent injury in case he
wiggles.
-
Take
thermometer out after 3 minutes.
-
Wipe
off thermometer and read highest level of mercury; record
reading.
Oral
temperature (for children older than age 5)
Not
: readings will be inaccurate if your child has had something to
drink in the last 15 minutes.
-
Shake
the mercury level down to below 98.60F (370C).
-
Insert
thermometer under his tongue.
-
Ask
him to close mouth and breathe through nose.
-
Take
thermometer out after 3 minutes.
-
Read
the highest level of mercury; record reading.
Fever
is not a disease, however, but a symptom that shows that a
fight against a disease or infection is going on inside
the body. In that fight, excess heat is generated in the
core of the body and is dissipated to the head and limbs, where
it radiates off the skin. In general pediatricians recommend not
trying to lower fevers under 1020 F, and they
certainly don't want parents to see fevers as threats to their
child's well-being.
Keep
Notes
You
must register your baby within six weeks of birth. You will need
the birth certificate to claim benefits.
