• 24/03/2023
• By wizewebsite
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When a child has a fever, he needs to drink a lot - Novinky.cz<

When the child has a fever, it needs to drink a lot

When the parents touch the child's forehead, everything becomes clearer. An increased temperature, or even a fever, is usually a manifestation of a viral disease - cold or flu - or has another cause.

Flu and cold have similar symptoms, which is why people often confuse them. In general, the symptoms of a cold develop rather slowly. Cough, runny nose or burning in the nasopharynx are usually present, and sore throat is common. Colds, unlike the flu, are rarely accompanied by chills.

Fever

Influenza, on the other hand, is characterized by a sudden onset of illness, general malaise accompanied by muscle and joint pain, high temperature (over 38 degrees Celsius), headache and chills. On the contrary, a runny nose occurs rather exceptionally with the flu.

What to do if we measure a child's fever, i.e. more than 38 degrees? "First of all, it is necessary to ensure that it has a sufficient supply of fluids and is not dehydrated. For example, fruit teas or diluted fruit juices are suitable, and for children over two years of age, still mineral water at room temperature," says MUDr. Silvia Bajová, pediatrician from Na Homolce Hospital in Prague.

Sometimes a child has a fever even after vaccination, which especially scares women a lot. Worry is appropriate. A phone consultation with a doctor in the children's department of a hospital or with a pediatrician who has a child in her registry often helps. In most cases, the fever subsides after a few hours, in exceptional cases it lasts longer and a visit to the doctor is necessary.

In general, it is recommended to wash the child with a sponge soaked in lukewarm water and put him in breathable clothes in the crib. Do not perform this measure if the child has marbled skin or cold extremities. Do not treat a fever with cold water or ice.

"For overall treatment, it is necessary to observe a rest regime in the home environment and, if possible, limit visits to places with a higher risk of infection, such as shops," adds MUDr. Badass. Fever accompanying viral diseases is unpleasant, but it is a normal reaction of the immune system, and therefore it is not always necessary to treat it immediately.

According to doctors, we should start treating fever at a temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius (measured in the armpit) or above 39 degrees Celsius in the case of measuring the temperature in the anus in infants and toddlers.

The exception is the child's pain or discomfort, a state of shock, the occurrence of febrile convulsions in the past, or serious concomitant chronic diseases. In the treatment of fever, the goal is not to achieve a normal body temperature, but to improve the overall condition of the child.

What medicines to use

To reduce a child's fever, we can use freely available medicines. Paracetamol-containing preparations are among the drugs that are most often used to reduce fever and pain. Paralen sus (suspension for children from three months) or Paralen 125 (tablets for children from three years) are suitable for small children.

Paralen 100 in the form of suppositories can also be applied to children weighing more than seven kilograms. If the child's symptoms do not subside within two days, it is necessary to consult a doctor. You should always read the package leaflet carefully.

If a fever occurs as a reaction to vaccination, it is also possible for a nursing mother to take one paralen. This is then reflected in the mother's milk, which the child receives.