Children with high fever can indicate certain diseases such as bacterial infection, sore throat, diarrhea… Additionally, fever can also be caused by other acute illnesses, especially respiratory infections. Therefore, parents, please refer to the article below to learn how to handle it at home before taking your child to a medical facility!

Signs that a child has a fever

When your child is tired, fussy, irritable, sleepy, red or pale, or shivers or has a high temperature, it’s likely that he has a fever.

The normal body temperature of children is about 37-37.5°C, when it reaches 38°C, there is a fever. When a child has a fever, the body may be infected with bacteria (bacteria, viruses, parasites…), mainly tonsillitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, otitis media, diarrhea…

If the child has a fever of 38 – 38.5°C, the child’s body can tolerate it, but when the child has a fever as high as 39 – 40°C, for a long time, it will cause dehydration, neurological disorders, convulsions, and lack of oxygen in the brain. , damage to nerve cells, possibly coma or death…

Therefore, it is necessary to promptly handle the child with a high fever before being taken to a medical facility for treatment to avoid serious consequences that may endanger the child’s life.

Signs that a child has a fever

How to handle a child with a fever

– Let the child lie in a well-ventilated place, without drafts, limiting many people around the child.

– Thermocouple (the thermometer can be placed under the child’s armpit or anus). The thermometer must be kept for at least 3 minutes.

– If the body temperature does not exceed 38°C, remove clothes, do not cover the blanket, only wear thin clothes and monitor the child’s temperature regularly, about every 1 hour.

– If the body temperature is about 38 – 38.5°C, mix warm water like baby bath water, dip a soft towel into the water basin, wring it out, and then wipe it all over the child’s body, especially in positions such as armpits and groin. Wipe until the body temperature drops to about 37.5°C and then redress the child. It is necessary to monitor if the body temperature rises again, then continue.

– If the temperature is 38.5°C or higher, give the child Paracetamol fever-reducing medicine according to the correct dose, weight and interval between two doses according to the instructions for use.

– According to Vinmec, let children drink a lot of water (cooled boiled water, bean juice, orange juice, lemon…), if the child is still nursing, breastfeed more or give the child Oresol (using rehydration solution and substances). electrolytes) according to the instructions for use.

– Give your child easy-to-digest liquid foods such as porridge, soup, etc.

– Take the child to the nearest medical facility for timely examination and treatment.

How to handle a child with a fever

Notes to avoid when the child has a high fever

– Wearing a lot of warm clothes or blankets when you see a child with a high fever because it will increase the body temperature, it is very dangerous if the child has a higher fever, causing convulsions, lack of oxygen in the brain, damage to nerve cells, possibly coma and death.

– Absolutely do not use ice to apply to the child because it will cause the child to have a higher fever due to the mechanism of peripheral vasoconstriction.

– Do not rub lemon or let the child out in the wind.

– Do not use many drugs with the same ingredient to reduce fever, as it can lead to an overdose that can cause poisoning.

Notes to avoid when the child has a high fever

Children are very susceptible to heat stroke. A child with a cold, if not treated promptly, can die or be permanently disabled as a result of dysregulation of body temperature. Therefore, parents should avoid letting their children play in the hot sun for too long and remind them to drink enough water to avoid catching a fever.

See more How to reduce fever quickly for children

Source: Vinmec