Health Advice - Children's Illnesses - Fevers & Febrile Fits

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.