Understanding a Fever in Children

If you are a parent, you will eventually come to a point where you will have to deal with a fever. On the average, the body temperature is considered to be normal if it is around 98.6°.

This is, if the temperature is obtained by the mouth. This is often described as an "oral" temperature. If the child's temperature is obtained through the rectum, it has been established that normal is right around 99.5°.

While obtaining the body temperature through the mouth is the most comfortable method for the child, medical professionals agree that the most accurate measurement is obtained in rectal readings.

It is considered to be most appropriate to obtain a body temperature reading through the means of a thermometer that incorporates digital technology.  In this parenting guide, you will receive important information pertaining to a fever that your child may develop.

What is a Fever?

Medical professionals often refer to a fever as "Pyrexia". Basically, the internal temperature of the body rises to a point that is considered to be abnormal. Each individual has an internal heat distribution center that is referred to as a "Thermoregulatory Set-Point". If the body determined that there is a threat moving around, the heating distribution center becomes warmer.

Examples of these threats include viral based infections and bacterial infections. Despite the fact that the body becomes warmer, it tricks itself into believing that it is cold. It responds in the same manner as if it was truly and legitimately suffering from the medical condition identified in the medical community as "Hyperthermia".

Common Culprits of a Fever

There are many different common culprits of a fever. Medications, sicknesses, and even certain types of medical conditions may result in the increase of the internal body temperature. The following indicates some causes of fever in children:

• There are many diseases that are considered to be infectious that may result in the rise of body temperature in kids. These include HIV, AIDS, Influenza, and even conditions such as Mononucleosis.

• Certain types of physical trauma such as heat exhaustion and injury may cause the body temperature to fluctuate abnormally.

• Medical complications such as inflammation in the skin, bowel diseases, disorders associated with the metabolism, various types of cancers, and even juvenile arthritis may result in fever.

• There are many medications that have been found to result in fever among children. The two most common ones are antihistamines and antibiotics.

Treating Fever in a Child

Many parents mistakenly believe that a fever is a negative condition. In fact, a fever is actually a good sign that the body is attempting to combat the infection or foreign agent that it deems to be a threat. A fever that is less than 100.2° is actually considered to be healthy. You may avoid treating a fever this low. If the fever progresses past 100.2°, you may want to consider taking action.

Pain reliever and fever reduction medications are an appropriate course of action as a fever may often result in body aches. Other appropriate courses of actions include placing the child in a luke warm tub of water, wrapping the wrists with cool clothes, and even placing cool clothes or socks over the feet.

Understanding a fever in a child is essential to knowing the difference between a productive increase in body temperature and a body temperature that is detrimental to the child's health.