Fevers are most often caused by viruses.
The body's natural defence is to produce a fever to
fight the infectious virus. The onset of a fever can
be sudden, rapid and very high. However, the good
news is that children who get high fevers have a greater
tendency to show rapid improvement. Fevers will often
come and go and be worse in the evening. Children
will complain of feeling cold and of shivering as
the body temperature is rising. As the fever lessens
the child will appear red, sweat and complain of feeling
hot. Paracetamol are also recommended to reduce the
fever and make the child more comfortable, but they
also assist in reducing the risk of febrile fits in
the under six age group. These fits are extremely
uncommon, and the fever a child develops is actually
a benefit in ridding the body of the virus.
A febrile fit is a convulsion that
can be very frightening for the child and
parent alike, but is not in itself dangerous.
Danger lies, as with all fits, in inhalation
of vomit or swallowing the tongue. If your
child should fit, lie them over your knees
with the head facing down. When they have
overcome the fitting process, reduce the
child's body temperature by removing clothing
and giving them Paracetamol. Phone your
GP or Doctor-on-Call service for further
advice, assistance and reassurance. |
