When To Worry About A Fever In A Child
Being a parent is tough, even more so when your child comes down with a fever. It's hard to know if it is a serious illness or just the temporary effect of running a low-grade fever. Here are some things that you should keep an eye out for when it comes to your child's fever.
How to tell if your child's symptoms are serious or not
It can be difficult to know if your child's symptoms are serious or not, especially when it comes to their fever. This is also because the symptoms may be indicative of other illnesses. So, you need to take the following into account:
How high is their fever?
Are they lethargic?
Do they have a headache, earache, or sinus pain?
By answering these questions, you will be able to determine if it is time to call the pediatrician or to seek medical attention for your child. Of course, if their fever is greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.89 °C), then you need to act quickly.
But what if your child seems lethargic? In this case, you should talk to your pediatrician about their lethargy as this can indicate a very serious illness. Also, if they have a headache, earache, or sinus pain, it may be time to take your child in for a check-up.
When should you get your child checked out for a fever?
If your child is three months or younger, then you should take them to a pediatrician as soon as possible. This is because young children are not able to communicate how they feel, and you may not notice when the fever is getting serious.
But if your child is between three months and five years, you can monitor their behavior for severe symptoms. When the fever reaches above 102 degrees, it is time to take your child to an urgent care clinic. Also, when your child is inconsolable or overly tired, then it may be time to seek out medical attention.
If you suspect that your child is running a fever, whether it be because of illness or due to teething, you can always take them to the pediatrician's office for a check-up. You can also treat their fever at home with acetaminophen, as directed by the pediatrician.
Natural ways to treat the symptoms of a fever
When your child is running a fever, they will often be tired and cranky. You can help them through this time by making sure that their room is cool. Also, make sure that you are keeping them hydrated by making trips to the kitchen often for water or juice.
If your child has a severe headache, you should give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You can also use natural remedies to help them relax. Make sure that you are keeping the room dim and applying moist heat to help ease their symptoms. If this doesn't work, then it is time to give your pediatrician a call.
And if you are still unsure of how serious the fever is, then you can always give your pediatrician's office a call to see if they can provide you with directions. If it is especially serious, then the pediatrician's office will likely tell you to go and get your child checked out immediately.
Until then, make sure that you are treating your child's symptoms with natural remediess and by giving them the fluids that they need. Fever reduction can sometimes be difficult, but you must stay patient and calm.
Prevention tips for fevers in children
Since fevers are often caused by infections, it is important to keep your home as germ-free as possible. This means washing your child's hands, disinfecting objects that they often touch, and making sure that their toys are sanitized.
If you suspect a fever in your child is due to a cold, you can keep them away from social gatherings and make sure that they don't interact with other children. It's also important to steer clear of second-hand smoke, which can trigger an episode. It is also important to vaccinate your child for several diseases that can bring on a fever, such as measles and mumps.
By following these prevention tips, you can reduce the likelihood of your child contracting a fever-causing virus. If they do, then you will be able to determine the severity of their fever and if medical treatment is necessary or not.
Although it might be difficult to not panic in such circumstances, you need to remember that fevers are a natural response from the body. So, it is important to remain calm and to use natural treatments to help reduce your child's symptoms.