10 Myths and truths about childhood fever
Fever helps our body fight against infections, in fact it is a good sign because the child's immune system is working. However, pediatricians often accuse parents of fever or fear of fever. In Guiainfantil.com we help you to know more about fever and to demystify the beliefs that run about it. Infan
Fever helps our body fight against infections, in fact it is a good sign because the child's immune system is working. However, pediatricians often accuse parents of fever or fear of fever.
In Guiainfantil.com we help you to know more about fever and to demystify the beliefs that run about it.
Infantile fever: myths and truths
Fever is the rise of the body's normal temperature. From 37 degrees is called fever and fever is only considered when the child is over 38 º if measured in the rectum or more than 37.5 º if measured in the armpit. These are the mistaken beliefs about fever and what are the truths about it:
1- Fever is a disease: FALSE. It is the symptom of the disease or infection that the child is suffering and it indicates that the child's defenses are reacting against the disease
2- The fever must be reduced to the children: FALSE. It is not advisable to lower the fever when it does not exceed 38 ºC, since this high temperature supposes a corporal defense to fight the infection. If the fever goes above 38ºC we can give you the doses of antipyretics recommended by your pediatrician, respecting the intervals between them.
3- Fever can leave sequels to children: FALSE. Some people think that it can leave them deaf or cause neurological damage, but fever has no more impact than the discomfort felt. Only if the fever reaches 42 degrees could it cause brain damage.
4- You have to go to the emergency room when the child has a fever: FALSE. Only if he is less than three months old or has other symptoms such as respiratory distress, is very decayed or has pain in the ear it is necessary to take him to the emergency room. Otherwise we must wait between 24 and 36 hours to see your doctor.
5- If the child exceeds 38º, it is necessary to put him in cold water: FALSE. Cold water is a huge temperature shock. You can take baths with warm water, but always at a temperature 2 degrees lower than the child's fever. In any case, it is preferable to have hydrated and light clothes before opting for this measure, uncomfortable for the child when he is feverish.
6- Take the temperature with a mercury thermometer: FALSE. The use of glass thermometers with mercury is already discouraged, since glass can be broken, and mercury is also toxic. Pediatricians recommend electronics.
7- The child must be covered so that he suds and eliminates the infection: FALSE The excess of clothes can increase the fever. It is preferable to leave with light clothes and not wrap too much, a sheet or a very thin blanket is enough.
8- Febrile convulsions are very dangerous: FALSE. They usually occur when there is a rapid increase in body temperature. It should not be associated with serious diseases. We must remain calm, prevent the child from hurting himself and loosening his clothes. We should not paralyze him to prevent him from convulsing or putting something in his mouth so that he does not bite his tongue.
9- We must force him to eat to regain strength: FALSE. It is not necessary to force him to eat but it is convenient to offer him liquids to compensate the liquid that is lost with the fever.
10- The antipyretics cure the fever: FALSE. They only help control high fever and make the child feel a little better. The infectious process will continue its course in spite of the antipyretics.
