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What You Need To Know About Fever In Children

By on May 27, 2019

Fever in a child is usually due to a viral infection, which gets better by itself. In fact, a fever (body temperature raised above 37.0 degrees Celsius, or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, taken under the arms or in the mouth or ear) is a good thing: it is the body’s way of fighting an infection.

Everything goes into top gear, so to speak. The raised temperature may be accompanied by signs of a particular infection, as for example in influenza, with a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and enlarged glands. Extra mucus is produced, which traps the viruses which are attacked by the body’s white blood cells, and the resulting phlegm or nasal discharge is expelled with coughing or sneezing. Of course, this is how the infection is spread to other people.

Naturally, while all this is going on one may feel pretty ill and uncomfortable, sometimes with aching in the muscles and joints. This likewise seems to be an adaptive response on the part of nature, so that one doesn’t want to do much except rest, which also aids recovery.

QUESTION:  My child gets so many colds. I wonder if his immune system is OK?

On the contrary, it is usually a sign that the child’s immune system is in good order – there is a vigorous reaction. In other words, the symptoms of illness are the expression of the body’s healing mechanisms at work. In the rare case where a child actually does have an immune system disorder, he or she tends to suffer from more severe illnesses, such as repeated pneumonia. This might lead doctors to do tests for immune disorders, but this is quite unnecessary for recurrent ordinary colds or flu.

However, a fever may also be a sign of a more serious illness, such as pneumonia, a kidney infection, or meningitis. In these cases the child is usually more ill than one would expect, and symptoms may be accompanied by a severe cough, drowsiness, repeated vomiting or a rash, or the fever may be persistent.

In general, a fever which is continuing beyond three full days, or one which is associated with the above-mentioned symptoms, could indicate that the infection is beginning to overwhelm the body’s defences. In such cases medical advice should be sought.

 

When is the temperature dangerously high?


A raised temperature due to infection is not of itself dangerous, and it would be rare for it to exceed 40.5 degrees Celsius, or 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This is different from fever due to heatstroke from over-exertion in a hot environment, or with an overdressed baby, where the cause is usually obvious and in such cases the temperature should be brought down promptly.

Parents naturally feel they need to do something to help their child with a fever, and if the child is uncomfortable or distressed and feels very hot, it is reasonable to give paracetamol (Tylenol, Calpol, acetoaminophen) or ibuprofen as an aid to relief from discomfort. Tepid sponging, which used to be advised, is no longer recommended as it may cause shivering (which could make the temperature rise further), goose pimples or crying.

This advice is offered as a general guideline. As with any medical situation, consult your own medical practitioner for your child’s specific needs.

About Dr. Gabriel Symonds

Dr. Gabriel Symonds was the director of the Tokyo British Clinic. The clinic closed down in May 2014 after serving the expatriate community for 20+ years. Dr. Symonds has retired and the Tokyo British Clinic is now closed. Dr Symonds will continue to live in Tokyo and may be contacted by e-mail over any questions concerning medical records or related matters: symonds@tokyobritishclinic.com He will be available from another address for: smoking cessation psychotherapy/counselling circumcision information Tel: (03) 5458-6099 www.tokyobritishclinic.com