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An increase in body temperature during an acute infectious disease is a reasonable reaction of the body. Responding to the invasion of microbes or viruses, it tries to activate metabolic processes, trigger the production of protective proteins, and deliver them to the source of inflammation as soon as possible. All this happens faster. Therefore, during infection, special substances are produced in the tissues - pyrogens, which cause increased heat production. In this case, heat transfer increases slightly or even decreases.

An increase in body temperature during infectious processes is a good prognostic sign. It is believed that a fairly pronounced temperature reaction indicates a high level of activity of the immune system.

Elevated body temperature is defined as follows:

Subfebrile - up to 38 degrees;
moderate febrile –38.1-39 degrees;
high febrile – 39.1-41 degrees;
hyperpyrexic - above 41 degrees.

When microbes and viruses enter the body, heat transfer is first limited: blood vessels narrow, sweating and evaporation decrease, and blood flow to the skin and mucous membranes decreases. The child appears pale, “goose bumps”, becomes cold or even starts to feel chills. This is the first stage of fever - the stage of rising temperature, or white hyperthermia.

When the temperature reaches a certain level, heat transfer increases: the blood vessels of the skin dilate, it becomes pink and hot. There is a feeling of heat (“pink hyperthermia”). This is the second phase of the febrile process, in which the elevated temperature can persist for several hours or days.

After the cessation of pyrogen production, the hypothalamic centers return to their normal level of regulation. Body temperature decreases. This can happen gradually, over several days (lytic decline) or abruptly, quickly - over a few hours (critical decline). With the latter, profuse sweat and rapid breathing appear.

To decide when to reduce a child’s temperature, it is recommended, first of all, to focus on the child’s general condition.

Children usually tolerate moderate hyperthermia well. When body temperature rises to 38 degrees, an adult man sometimes cannot reach a mug of water, but the child plays as if nothing had happened.

With good tolerance, it is not necessary to reduce the temperature below 38-39 degrees, because only at this point does the body begin to produce its own protective proteins - interferons, which have antiviral and antimicrobial activity. A child's use of antipyretics prevents the body from fighting infection. Where he could cope in 3 days, using antipyretics will require 7 - and even taking interferons from outside.

Some children (usually those with a pathology of the nervous system acquired during childbirth) may experience convulsions even at low temperatures. If this has happened before, it is advised not to allow a significant increase in temperature.

If the temperature becomes very high, it itself can cause a deterioration in the child’s condition: lethargy, changes in the heart and blood vessels, and swelling of the brain. Therefore, it is imperative to give antipyretic drugs:

Children under 2 months with a body temperature of more than 38 degrees;
children with a complicated medical history – at 38.5 and above;
all children with a temperature of 39 degrees or more.

Physical and medication methods can be used to reduce body temperature. There is no need to strive to normalize body temperature; a decrease of 0.5-1 degrees to febrile levels is quite enough.

Physical cooling methods are aimed at increasing heat transfer by increasing evaporation. At home, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm drinks and wipe the body with a sponge moistened with water at a temperature of 30-32 degrees. Rubbing the body with a mixture of water and vinegar, so popular among the people, cannot be used on infants. At older ages, they are used only with the permission of a doctor.

The drugs of choice for hyperthermia in children are paracetamol and. If the temperature does not decrease 20-30 minutes after taking the medications by mouth, antipyretics can be administered intramuscularly. To achieve this, emergency physicians usually use mixtures of two or three medications. Children with a body temperature of more than 41 degrees must be hospitalized.

Caring for the health of a child is a great responsibility for parents, because every wrong decision is fraught with complications. The most common pathology in children is acute respiratory infections, accompanied by cough, runny nose, fever and redness of the throat. Every mother is familiar with these symptoms, and she knows perfectly well what to do in this case. But there are situations when the only identified symptom of the disease is high temperature. This greatly frightens parents due to their lack of understanding of what is happening to their child.

Content:

Possible causes of high temperature

The main reason for the rise in temperature in both adults and children is the inflammatory process of various etiologies. This is a kind of protective mechanism or response of the body, for example, to the invasion of foreign agents, helping to slow down, and in some cases completely stop the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

The reasons for a rise in temperature in children to 39°C, not accompanied by other symptoms, may be overheating or infectious diseases. In children under 2.5 years of age, hyperthermia is sometimes observed against the background of teething, while the child actively tries to scratch the painful gums with pens or objects that catch his eye.

However, if parents do not see other symptoms in children other than fever, this does not mean that they do not exist. For example, infants and small children who do not yet know how to speak cannot say that they have pain in their ear, head, throat, kidney area or stomach.

In children under one year old, quite often the cause of high temperature is overheating, which is associated with insufficient maturity of the thermoregulation system. This condition can be provoked by a child’s prolonged exposure to the sun in hot weather, too warm clothes, or excessive physical activity.

Sometimes a sudden increase in temperature to 39°C is noted as a manifestation of an allergic reaction that occurs as a result of long-term use of medications, vaccinations, insect bites or other factors.

Asymptomatic fever due to illness

As you know, infectious diseases are most often of a bacterial or viral nature.

Viral infections

Viral infections are usually characterized by a sharp rise in temperature to 39°C and above. With some types of them, this condition may be the only early symptom of the disease, and other signs of the disease (characteristic rash, swollen lymph nodes, etc.) appear only after a couple of days. These include the following childhood diseases:

• rubella;
• mumps;
• sudden exanthema.

Bacterial diseases

Among infectious diseases caused mainly by bacteria, occurring without symptoms visible to parents and accompanied by a rise in body temperature to 39°C and above, the following can be distinguished:

• pharyngitis or sore throat;
• stomatitis;
• urinary tract infections.

If there are problems in the urinary system, the child additionally experiences frequent urination, but it is quite difficult for parents of very young children who still wear diapers to notice this. Also, parents without special equipment, experience and skills are not able to examine the ear, throat, and oral cavity and assess their condition. To make an accurate diagnosis in the situations listed above, it is necessary to be examined by specialists and undergo general clinical tests.

Video: Pediatrician Komarovsky E. O. on the possible causes of a rise in temperature without symptoms

What to do if you have a high temperature without other symptoms

If a temperature of 39°C is detected without symptoms, parents should try to find out the cause of this child’s condition. To do this, you need to analyze what he did the day before and take into account the possibility of overheating. If it is determined that the baby is overheated, then he must be undressed, given a cool drink and wiped with a towel dipped in cool water. It is important to ensure that the child stays in a room or area where the air temperature is in the range of 18–22°C, or in the shade.

As a result of such actions, within an hour the temperature should return to normal on its own without the use of antipyretic medications. If the temperature rises to 39°C for other reasons, it is recommended to seek medical help. This must be done if the child has:

• the temperature does not decrease within three days;
• there are severe diseases of the nervous system (epilepsy);
• there are congenital heart defects and heart rhythm disturbances;
• age is less than one year;
• There are signs of dehydration and he refuses to drink or eat.

If the temperature is caused by the development of any infectious disease in the body, then it should be borne in mind that viral infections, unlike bacterial ones, in most cases go away on their own and do not require specific treatment. In this case, the child’s condition should improve noticeably on the third day, and on the fifth the normal temperature should be established. It is important to monitor the general well-being of the patient and promptly identify other symptoms if they appear subsequently.

How to bring down a fever

First aid for a child at home at a temperature of 39 degrees consists of taking antipyretics, providing plenty of fluids, moist cool air, and regularly ventilating the room where he is located.

In order to alleviate the child's condition, antipyretic drugs based on ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used in dosages appropriate to age and body weight. Their effect is observed approximately an hour after taking the medicine. Antipyretics for children are available in the form of syrups, tablets, suspensions and rectal suppositories. These include the following drugs:

• Cefekon D;
• Efferalgan;
• Nurofen;
• Paracetamol;
• Panadol;
• Ibufen and others.

Drinking plenty of fluids is necessary to prevent dehydration. This is especially important for young children, who very quickly lose the fluid necessary for the full functioning of the body, which can have serious consequences for health and even pose a threat to the child’s life. As drinks, you can offer ordinary purified boiled water, compote, juice, tea, herbal infusions of chamomile or linden flowers. If there is a decrease or lack of appetite, do not force feed.

At high temperatures, there is no need to wrap the child in a blanket and put warm clothes on him. It is better to throw on something light made from natural materials. If he sweats intensely, you should promptly change his clothes to dry ones. Babies who wear diapers need to take them off. It is better to completely undress the child, put him on a waterproof diaper and cover him with a sheet.

If the temperature does not decrease or even rises after taking antipyretic drugs, and also if the child is too lethargic, has suddenly turned pale, has breathing problems, convulsions, or loss of consciousness, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

High temperature body in a child (fever) can be a nonspecific sign of many diseases. She can talk about acute infectious diseases, teething, overheating and other conditions. In all these cases, assistance to the child should be different, so it is very important to establish the cause of the increase in temperature.

Features of temperature in a child

In the first days and months of a child's life, his body temperature can be very variable. With any disease it can quickly increase.

To identify a fever in a child, you need to know what temperature is normal for him. To do this, you should measure it at least once in a calm and healthy state. It is better to repeat this procedure in the morning and evening, since in the evening hours the temperature is usually 0.3-0.5 o C higher.

The temperature of a child of the first year of life may be higher than that of older children and adults (according to measurements in the armpit):
1. At the age of up to 1 year, body temperature up to 37.4 o C is allowed.
2. A child over 1 year old usually has a temperature of up to 37 o C.

Newborn babies born prematurely are especially poor at maintaining body temperature. Their thermoregulation processes are immature, so it should be remembered that they can not only cool easily, but also overheat.

Body temperature can be determined in several places. The results of such measurements will vary:

• the temperature measured in the rectum (rectal) will be approximately 1 o C higher than in the armpit (37.6-38 o C is normal);
• the temperature measured in the mouth (oral) will be approximately half a degree higher than in the armpit (37.1-37.6 o C is normal);
• The temperature measured in the armpit and inguinal fold will be approximately the same.

The most reliable results are shown by a mercury thermometer. When using electronic thermometers, according to measurement data, there may be a fairly large error. In order to identify differences in indicators, you can simultaneously determine the temperature in the armpits with a regular thermometer and an electronic one. It is not necessary to do this on a child; you can measure the temperature of yourself or any healthy family member. Differences between measurements will indicate an error.

Determining rectal temperature is usually only possible in a small child under 4-5 months. Since the procedure is often unpleasant, it will most likely be impossible to detect a high temperature in a 6-month-old child in this way due to his resistance to the procedure. It is best to measure with an electronic thermometer, the tip of which is lubricated with baby cream. The thermometer is inserted approximately 2 cm into the rectum, while raising the child’s legs, as when washing.

In the armpit and inguinal fold, measurements can be taken with a mercury thermometer. The temperature in the groin is determined by placing the child on his side. The thermometer is placed so that its tip is completely located in the fold of the skin. Then the hand presses the child’s leg to the body. In the armpit, the measurement process is carried out in the same way as in adults.

Pathologically high temperature, depending on the degree of its increase, is conventionally divided into the following types (according to measurements in the armpit):
1. Subfebrile (up to 38 o C).
2. Febrile (above 38 o C).

How to correctly measure the temperature of a small child

Rules for measuring temperature in children:

• the child must have his own personal thermometer, which is treated with warm water and soap or alcohol before each use;
• during illness, the temperature is measured at least three times a day (morning, afternoon, evening);
• The measurement should not be carried out when the child is heavily wrapped up, crying or excessively active;
• high room temperature and taking a bath also increase body temperature;
• food and drinks, especially hot ones, can increase the temperature in the oral cavity by 1-1.5 o C, so measurements in the mouth should be carried out an hour before or an hour after eating;
• temperature determination can be carried out in the armpit, rectum or inguinal fold - with any thermometers; measurements in the mouth are carried out only with the help of special dummy thermometers.

Causes of high temperature in a child

Normally, an increase in body temperature is a protective reaction of the body to any infectious or non-infectious diseases or damage.

Infectious agents entering the body produce toxins that cause an increase in body temperature. The body, in turn, also produces substances that contribute to fever. This mechanism is protective, since against the background of high temperature all metabolic processes are accelerated and many biologically active substances are synthesized more intensively. But when the fever becomes too severe, it itself can cause various complications - for example, febrile seizures.

Why does a child develop a high temperature?

• infectious diseases (ARVI, "children's" and intestinal infections, other pathologies);
• non-infectious diseases (diseases of the nervous system, allergic pathology, hormonal disorders and others);
• teething (this is one of the most common causes in young children);
• overheat;
• preventive vaccinations.

There are other causes of fever in a child. These also include many emergency conditions and acute surgical pathologies. Therefore, any increase in a child’s temperature (especially above 38 o C) should immediately consult a doctor.

Features of elevated temperature in certain diseases

A child’s high temperature will be accompanied by other symptoms pathology. For different diseases, fever will have its own characteristics.

Infectious diseases

Typically, fever values ​​for infectious diseases are in the range of 39-39.5 o C. But in some cases, the child’s temperature rises above 40 o C. This largely depends on the type of infection and the individual characteristics of the child’s body.

In case of infectious diseases, a high temperature in a child is accompanied by other signs of pathology (cough, nasal congestion, vomiting, upset stool, and others).

Another common cause of fever is childhood infections. For example, in a child with a high fever, the appearance of a rash in the form of itchy blisters is a characteristic sign of chickenpox. Children attending preschool institutions are especially susceptible to such infections. For example, a high temperature in a child aged 3 years who goes to kindergarten.

Overheat

In case of overheating, the connection between the fever and exposure to the heat source can be clearly noted. For example, a child’s high temperature in the summer may be associated with prolonged exposure to the sun or inside a car in hot weather. Infants can easily overheat when wearing clothes that are too warm.

With a mild fever, the desire of parents to wrap the child warmly can also provoke a rise in body temperature to higher numbers. Overheating is very dangerous due to the likelihood of heat stroke, which requires emergency medical attention.

Signs of heat stroke are:

• severe fever that occurs after overheating;
• impairment or loss of consciousness;
• convulsions;
• breathing and heartbeat disturbances.

First aid for heatstroke is to place the child in a cool, well-ventilated room, apply a compress to the forehead, rub it off, and give it water (if the child is conscious). You should also immediately call an emergency medical team.

Teething

A high temperature in a child during teething is rare. Typically, the fever does not exceed 38.5 o C. But in some cases, the temperature can rise to very high numbers, accompanied by lethargy of the child, refusal to eat, and anxiety. This fever needs to be reduced. In a 10-month-old child, a high temperature may well be associated with teeth, especially if he actively rubs his gums, is capricious, and at the same time there is increased salivation.

Vaccinations

After preventive vaccinations, a child’s high fever, as a rule, does not last long. It usually increases within 24 hours after vaccination, and can be combined with other symptoms: slight swelling and pain at the injection site, the child may spare the leg and move less. These signs are the body’s protective reaction to the vaccine and indicate an adequate immune response.

If the temperature rises after vaccination, you can give the child an antipyretic drug once, without even waiting for febrile fever. You can also use physical cooling methods, but wiping is not recommended (especially you should not get the injection site wet). If there is no positive dynamics within 1-2 days, then you should think about another reason for the increase in temperature (for example, the onset of ARVI).

When wiping, use a towel moistened with water, which is placed on the forehead. Once it dries or warms up, the towel can be re-wetted. They also wipe their hands, feet, chest, neck, and face with water. After wiping, you should not wrap the child, as the procedure may cause the opposite effect. This procedure should not be performed on a child who has ever had convulsions due to high fever or has diseases of the nervous system.

In addition to rubbing, you can apply ice wrapped in a diaper to the armpits and groin areas. However, this method can only be used in older children. Don't get too carried away, as you can get frostbite in the areas where ice is applied.

When you have a fever, you should also not forget to drink plenty of fluids. Fluid loss through the skin and through breathing at elevated temperatures increases, so its deficiency must be replenished in a timely manner. Also, increased drinking helps accelerate the removal of toxic substances from the body. When a one-year-old child has a high temperature, it can be difficult to give him water. If he refuses to drink, you can give him liquid little by little, but often.

Small children need to be put to the breast more often, or given plain water, and a six-month-old baby can have herbal teas (fennel, chamomile, linden), diluted juices and fruit drinks. An older child can also be offered compote, diluted juice or tea. Children should be especially actively given water if they have an intestinal infection, when a high temperature is accompanied by diarrhea. But don't be too zealous, a large amount of liquid can cause vomiting.

At high temperatures you should not:

• force the child to stay in bed if he does not want to, but excessive activity should also not be allowed, as this can lead to an increase in temperature;
• excessively wrapping or covering the child - this interferes with the natural transfer of heat;
• do a cleansing enema if there are no appropriate doctor’s recommendations (although this procedure has an antipyretic effect, you should not abuse it and do it yourself);
• use alcohol-containing liquids and warm water for wiping;
• covering the child with a wet sheet or towel, wrapping him up after wiping - all this can lead to an even greater increase in temperature.

When and how to bring down a high temperature in a child - video

High temperature in a child: treatment with medications

You can quickly bring down a child’s fever using antipyretic medications. In children, medications based on ibuprofen or paracetamol are approved for use.

Medicines may differ in release form (tablets, syrups, suppositories for rectal use, powders). Drugs in the form of syrups or suppositories are usually used in young children. For example, when an infant has a temperature above 39 o C, it is convenient to reduce it with the help of rectal suppositories.
Some features of the use of various dosage forms:

• medications taken orally begin to act faster - 20-30 minutes after administration;
• the effect of suppositories occurs after 30-45 minutes, but lasts longer;
• if the disease is accompanied by vomiting, it is better to use suppositories;
• Medicines in suppositories are convenient to use when the child’s temperature rises at night;
• preparations in the form of syrups, tablets and powders contain flavorings and flavoring additives, and therefore often cause allergic reactions;
• if it is necessary to use different dosage forms of drugs (for example, syrup during the day, suppositories at night), choose products with different active ingredients to avoid side effects;
• re-use of antipyretic drugs is possible no earlier than 5-6 hours after the previous dose; If the temperature does not decrease sufficiently, or if it increases again in a short time, you should not experiment - it is better to immediately contact a specialist for additional help.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are equally effective, but both have their own contraindications and side effects. Before use, you should consult your doctor. Doses of medications for children are usually calculated based on the child’s age or body weight. Therefore, before taking, you should carefully study the instructions. Thus, a 2-year-old child with a high temperature should receive almost twice the dose of the drug than an infant patient.

Some homeopathic remedies can also be used to reduce fever. For example, when a child often has a high fever, to avoid side effects from frequent use of ibuprofen and paracetamol, they can be combined with homeopathic medicines.

If the elevated temperature is accompanied by pallor and coldness of the extremities, then additionally small doses of antispasmodics (No-spa, papaverine) and antihistamines are given. However, this can only be done by a doctor.

If a child has a high temperature, the same antipyretic drug cannot be used for a long time. Simultaneous administration of the drug by mouth and in the form of suppositories is also contraindicated. This can lead to an excessive decrease in body temperature, and the occurrence of side effects from the drug.

Medicines not used in children

Medications that are not used in children include:
1. Currently, drugs such as amidopyrine, antipyrine or phenacetin are not used as antipyretics due to the large number of side effects.
2. Medicines based on acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) are practically not used in children because of their ability to reduce the number of platelets in the blood, cause bleeding, allergic reactions, as well as a very serious complication characteristic of children - Reye's syndrome.
3. Analgin and other drugs containing metamizole sodium as an active ingredient also have a large number of side effects, such as inhibition of hematopoiesis, severe allergic reactions, excessive decrease in temperature with loss of consciousness. These products are not recommended for use at home.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

A doctor should be consulted in any case of fever in a child or adult. Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe, in addition to antipyretics, other medications (cough medicines, vasoconstrictor nasal drops). If necessary, etiotropic therapy is also prescribed, aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease. For example, a high fever associated with a child having a sore throat requires antibiotics.
The following cases require immediate contact with specialists:

• Extremely high body temperature numbers - more than 39.5-40 o C.
• If a child has a high fever for more than three days and there is no lasting positive effect during the course of the disease, despite the therapy prescribed by the doctor. It is necessary to correct the prescribed treatment, carry out additional diagnostic procedures (for example, take an X-ray of the lungs, take blood and urine tests).
• When new symptoms appear against the background of fever, such as a rash, severe cough, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Deterioration of the child’s condition against the background of the beginning of recovery, which may indicate the addition of another infection.
• If the increase in temperature is believed to be due to the child overheating and possible heat stroke.
• The appearance of complications from prescribed therapy. For example, if after taking a drug prescribed by a doctor, a child has an allergic reaction. You should call a specialist to select new medications.
• The child refuses to drink, there are signs of dehydration: dry skin, rare urination, dark urine, and others.
• The presence of severe chronic diseases in a child, the course of which may worsen against the background of severe fever (pathology of the heart, kidneys, nervous system, other diseases).
• If a child has a very high temperature, accompanied by refusal to eat, febrile convulsions, severe restlessness and groans, the appearance of a rash, impaired consciousness, unusual behavior, swelling of the neck, limpness, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and other signs of the child’s extremely serious condition, it is necessary to urgently call a team ambulance.

Thus, a prolonged high fever in a child is not a reason to treat yourself or experiment with therapy. Watchful waiting can lead to serious complications. If you have any doubts about the child’s condition, it is better to play it safe and consult a specialist.

Consequences of high fever in a child

One of the most common complications of high fever in a child is febrile seizures. They usually occur in children under 6 years of age with a temperature above 38 o C. Often this reaction to fever appears in children with diseases of the nervous system.

Signs of febrile seizures in a child:

• convulsive muscle twitching, which can be either pronounced (with throwing back the head, bending the arms and straightening the legs) or small, in the form of shuddering and twitching of individual muscle groups;
• the child stops responding to his surroundings, may turn pale and blue, and hold his breath;
• often, convulsions may recur during subsequent increases in temperature.

When the temperature is high and the child has convulsions, you must immediately call “03”. Urgent measures at home will be:

• Place the baby on a flat surface and turn the head to the side;
• if there is no breathing after the end of the convulsions, begin giving the child artificial respiration;
• you should not try to insert a finger into a child’s mouth, a spoon or other objects - this will only cause harm and injury;
• You should undress the child, ensure the room is ventilated, use rubbing and antipyretic candles to reduce body temperature;
• You should not leave your child alone during an attack.

Children who have had seizures need observation by a neurologist, as well as a full medical examination to exclude the onset of epilepsy. Therefore, you should not wait for your child to have a high fever for a week. Contact your doctor promptly for diagnosis and treatment. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

There is probably not a single mother, young or experienced, who would not be frightened by a sharp increase in the baby’s temperature, and the actions of a frightened mother are sometimes unpredictable and not entirely adequate. Let's try to figure out what should be done and in what cases.

First of all, it is worth separating the concepts of fever and increased body temperature when the body overheats. Overheating can occur for a variety of reasons - when the air temperature rises, during active muscular work (we include jumping on a trampoline), when eating two bowls of grandma's hot soup, etc. In the above cases, the body maintains the goal of normalizing body temperature, and even if your child reaches 37.5-37.8 degrees, no emergency measures are needed. Just make sure after half an hour that the temperature has returned to normal.

With fever, things are much more complicated. In order not to overload yourself and your suspiciousness with unnecessary information, in this article we will limit ourselves to fever of infectious origin, leaving everything else to specialists.

First of all, every mother should know that fever is not only evil, but also good. Fever of infectious origin is a protective-compensatory reaction of the body, as a result of which the immune response is enhanced: a rise in temperature leads to intensified metabolism, increased synthesis of interferons, increases the bactericidal ability of the blood due to increased phagocytosis and increased activity of leukocytes, and stimulates the formation of antibodies. On the one hand, everything looks good - the baby’s body is learning to fight infection, but on the other hand, the fever itself can be dangerous for the child.

There are two types of fever - “red” (or “pink”) and “white”.

Signs of red (pink) fever: the baby’s skin is pink, warm, the baby responds well to antipyretic drugs and non-drug antipyretic measures. Heat transfer corresponds to heat production, the child feels relatively well.

With white fever, there is a pronounced centralization of blood circulation and spasm of peripheral vessels: the child’s skin is pale, the head and torso are hot, the feet and palms are distinctly cold, tachycardia and an increase in systolic (upper) blood pressure are observed, heat transfer to heat production does not correspond, delirium and convulsions are possible, antipyretics have no effect or their effect is negligible.

So, what temperature needs to be reduced, and what temperature is better to just wait out, armed with a bottle of valerian?

Most viruses are neutralized at a temperature of 39 degrees. Therefore, it is obvious that for an initially healthy child (over 1 year old), an easily tolerated temperature (pink fever) up to 39 is not a reason to take antipyretics and is quite easily maintained at the same level with plenty of fluids. When the temperature rises above 39, this temperature is usually easily reduced by simply wiping it with a sponge moistened with warm water. You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen. For babies under one year old and children with a history of febrile convulsions, the upper limit for keeping the temperature low is reduced to 38 - 38.5 degrees.

With white fever, the level of unbreakable temperature is lowered. If a child does not tolerate the temperature well, complains of a headache, or trembles, this temperature must be brought down, even if it has not crossed the 38.5 bar. The problem is that the usual methods of reducing the temperature during white fever do not work, because... as a result of pronounced centralization of blood circulation, heat production exceeds heat transfer, and in order to effectively reduce temperature it is necessary to first restore microcirculation. At home, you can use no-shpa and Corvalol, which are present in almost every home, put the baby on a woolen blanket, rub the arms and legs, put on woolen socks, and when the child is warm, use ordinary antipyretics. In addition to no-shpa and Corvalol, it is possible to use papaverine, nicotinic acid, and dibazole to relieve spasm of peripheral vessels at home. It is worth knowing which of these drugs are present in the house before calling the pediatric emergency substation.

A common occurrence of white hyperthermia is febrile convulsions. The first thing parents should do at the onset of paroxysm is to pull themselves together, put the child on his back and turn his head to the side, remove him from clothes, measure the temperature, call an ambulance in the process and wait, carefully watching the child. The temperature during an attack can only be reduced by rubbing with warm water and cooling the head (a cool wet towel is quite enough). During an attack, do not try to give your child medicine, unclench his jaw, give him something to drink or distract him with chocolates. As a rule, attacks of simple febrile convulsions last no more than 15 minutes, but even if the attack has passed, you should not cancel calling the ambulance - be sure to wait for the doctor.

Another unpleasant phenomenon that mothers rarely pay attention to concerns not an increase, but a decrease in temperature. A normal decrease is considered to be a decrease of 1-1.5 degrees per hour; a sharp decrease in temperature of 2.5-3 or more degrees is called critical and can lead to a life-threatening collapse for the child. If your baby is reactive and prone to sudden temperature fluctuations, you may want to seriously consider your doctor's offer to continue treatment in a hospital.

What you should never do.

Our grandmothers and even mothers widely used rubbing vinegar and vodka to reduce the temperature. You should not listen to this advice - firstly, these procedures increase intoxication, and secondly, wiping with a sponge moistened with ordinary warm water (32-35 degrees) is much more effective.

Another sad experience of the older generation is gastric lavage with cold water and cold enemas. Both of these can trigger the development of seizures.

The third thing to avoid is taking antipyretic drugs, which were once used to reduce our temperature. You should not give your baby amidopyrine, aspirin and analgin. The drugs of choice for our children are paracetamol and ibuprofen, which do not interfere with platelet function.

Fourth - probably, among modern Russian mothers there is not a single one who, at least once in her early youth during an illness, was not given an antipyretic tablet at night “for prevention.” Don't repeat the mistakes - it doesn't work that way. Antipyretic drugs are taken only when there is a fever.

Fifth - honey. You should not give honey to a child under 5 years of age during illness. Especially you should not give it when you are sick for the first time. This is a fairly strong allergen and during illness with an enhanced immune response, its use is simply dangerous.

Sixth. You should not rely on the experience of online communities and stuff your child with antipyretics for five days, firmly believing that a fever during a viral infection for 5 days is normal. This is not normal (this time). And you shouldn’t start a bacterial infection by delaying taking antibiotics (that’s two). Make it a rule to write down all significant events (episodes of fever, changes in cough, nasal discharge, changes in appetite, etc.) - this will make it much easier to see the dynamics and notice the development of a bacterial infection in time. Why write it down? Because a child’s illness is stressful for the mother. And not a single mother will be able to objectively assess the dynamics from memory - rises in temperature merge into one, an attempt to remember the number of doses of medication comes down to memories of the accompanying hysterics, etc. Write it down)

Seventh. You should not change thermometers - now it is quite difficult to find a thermometer that shows the reference temperature. By measuring the temperature all the time with the same thermometer, you will at least see the dynamics. Also, you should not measure temperature with infrared ear thermometers for sore throat and otitis - you will measure the temperature at the site of inflammation, and not body temperature at all. If you have a sore throat, even at a temperature of 37 degrees, an infrared ear thermometer will show you at least 39. And you will be right. If you want to find an infrared thermometer for all occasions, pay attention to infrared forehead thermometers.

Eighth. You should not rely on antipyretics while taking antibiotics for a bacterial infection - by combining the use of these drugs, you deprive the doctor (and yourself) of the chance to understand whether the antibiotic works or not.

Ninth. You shouldn’t try too hard to persuade your child to eat if he doesn’t want to. Loss of appetite is an absolutely normal phenomenon during illness, and a hungry body fights infection much more successfully than a well-fed one.

But the tea made from raspberry leaves and raspberry juice, which I remember from childhood, containing amounts of salicylates that are not dangerous for children, have not lost their relevance and are quite suitable for our children.

This article is in no way intended as instructions for self-medication and is intended only so that you know how to act in a given situation, what to expect from doctors, what not to do and what to say when calling a doctor or pediatrician. ambulance substation (phone in Novosibirsk 225-35-13)

A high temperature in a child (fever) is considered one of the most dangerous symptoms for parents. Many mothers try to reduce even the smallest temperature, believing that this will be better for their baby. In fact, fever is a defense mechanism of the body, including children.

What are the causes of high body temperature in a child? Firstly, many viruses and bacteria die at certain temperatures - the body seems to be trying to kill the infection within itself. Secondly, a temperature higher than usual leads to the dilation of blood vessels and a rush of blood to many organs and tissues, enhancing metabolic processes.

Thirdly, fever promotes increased production of immune cells, which improves immunity. This is why doctors do not recommend lowering body temperature if it has not reached 38.5 0 C.

What to do if you notice that your child has a fever? First of all, you need to measure it accurately. Many parents rely on subjective sensations by placing their lips on the child’s forehead or face, so they roughly guess how many degrees the temperature is. This is wrong.

You need to know exactly how high the baby's temperature is. To correctly measure body temperature, the thermometer must be placed in the armpit, pressing firmly with your hand. About three minutes is enough time.

It should be remembered that in a newborn baby, a temperature of up to 37.5 0 C is considered normal; you should not try to reduce it. In a healthy child, an increase in body temperature can be observed immediately after eating, sleeping, or physical or emotional stress. If such an increase in temperature is not accompanied by other complaints, then there is no point in drawing negative conclusions.

What parents should do if their child has a high temperature

If the temperature is not higher than 38.0 0 C, the baby does not have chills and there is no severe concomitant pathology, for example, heart disease, pathology of the nervous system, convulsive syndrome, the limbs are warm, then such a fever should not be brought down. Every half hour you should measure your body temperature, and if it rises above 38.5 0 C, then call a doctor at home and give the baby antipyretics (suppositories, syrup or antibiotic).

Before the doctor arrives, parents should provide first aid to the baby. The child should be put to bed without covering him, even if he has severe chills. Provide access to fresh air and give the baby plenty of water. Doctors allow wiping the baby’s body with cool water or applying cold compresses.

You should not wipe the child’s body and limbs with alcohol or vinegar when the body temperature is elevated, especially if the baby has cold feet. The toxic substances of these solutions are absorbed into the baby’s body through the skin. It is also impossible to cover a feverish child, no matter how severe the chill. It is also not worth treating the child yourself, including giving antibiotics. Any medications, including antipyretics, should be prescribed by a doctor after the cause of the temperature has been established!

Why does a child have cold legs and arms when he has a fever?

Why does a child have cold feet at a temperature of 39.0 0 C? Why are the legs and arms cold, while the rest of the body is “burning” and may even be red? The presence of such symptoms is often associated with a sharp spasm of the small vessels of the limb. This is called "pale fever." This temperature drops very hard and requires the addition of antispasmodic drugs to therapy.

First aid will be to warm cold feet. The limbs can be immersed in hot water or rubbed with mustard (folk remedies are effective in these cases). No antipyretic drugs will help as long as the baby has cold hands and feet.

Diseases and conditions that may be accompanied by elevated body temperature

Stomach ache, red throat, sore throat, headache, cough, frequent urination, snot, cramps - these are just some of the reasons that cause fever and chills.

The causes of elevated temperature in a child are usually the following.

Sore throat or pharyngitis(red throat). This is a viral infection. An increase in body temperature in this case indicates an infectious cause of the disease. If the temperature rises sharply to 39.0 0 C or higher from the first days of illness, it is accompanied by a runny nose, snot, coughing, sneezing, the throat begins to hurt and is red, most likely the baby has a viral infection and intoxication develops (a condition that appears when poisoning by toxins of viruses or bacteria). This type of sore throat is less dangerous than herpetic sore throat.

Today, herpetic sore throat is common. With tonsillitis (tonsillitis), an increase in temperature is often accompanied by lethargy, drowsiness, pallor and nausea; a stomach ache or headache may appear, which indicates that the child’s body is poisoned by bacterial toxins. The throat does not hurt much and is slightly red. Sore throat must be differentiated from diphtheria, a serious fatal disease.

With diphtheria, the throat does not hurt, it is not red, and the temperature rises. If you have all of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact your pediatrician. The temperature will persist until an antibiotic is prescribed. Antipyretics should be given immediately, without waiting for high numbers, because sore throat is quite dangerous.

The presence of symptoms such as abdominal pain, combined with high body temperature, may indicate any inflammatory processes in the child’s abdominal cavity, including poisoning. When a child has abdominal pain, consultation with a surgeon is mandatory. Starting from appendicitis, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum), ending with pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney tissue). The temperature rises to 39 and above, chills appear. If your stomach hurts and you experience frequent urination, you may suspect a genitourinary infection.

Fever accompanied by loose stools (diarrhea) may indicate that there is an intestinal infection in the body. The manifestation of these symptoms may be combined with vomiting and abdominal complaints. Diarrhea can also occur due to poisoning. If your stomach hurts, helminthic infestation cannot be ruled out. How many days the fever will persist depends on the severity of the disease. In case of severe poisoning with toxins, even hallucinations may occur against the background of dehydration of the body.

A set of symptoms, such as headache and fever, may indicate intoxication of the body (poisoning with toxins) or a severe infection of the nervous system (meningitis). In the latter case, fever and headache are combined with vomiting. Antibiotic and detoxification agents are required in this case. Headache, fever and convulsions can be a serious sign of a tumor process.

Fever and frequent urination. As a rule, such a complaint is a manifestation of an inflammatory process in the bladder. Urination will be painful. The temperature can rise to 38.0 0 C. If the inflammatory process spreads to the kidneys, pyelo- or glomerulonephritis develops, the temperature rises to high numbers (above 38.0 0 C), the stomach and back hurt, and frequent urination begins. When poisoned by bacterial toxins, vomiting, weakness and drowsiness occur. In these cases, doctors will definitely prescribe an antibiotic, otherwise the fever may last a long time.

Fever accompanied by a runny or stuffy nose. An increase in body temperature and runny nose is usually a manifestation of an acute respiratory viral infection. If there is prolonged nasal congestion and a small amount of snot, a decreased sense of smell, headache and an increase in body temperature to low numbers, up to about 37.5 0, then sinusitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses should be suspected, to treat such a disease you should immediately start taking an antibiotic .

Increased body temperature with stomatitis may be higher than 39.0 0 C. This condition usually occurs with severe viral or bacterial stomatitis. The infection causes a severe inflammatory process in the oral mucosa. With fungal stomatitis, the temperature may not rise. In this case, an antibiotic is not needed; the prescription of antifungal drugs will be enough, and for bacterial stomatitis, an antibiotic is required. If you have stomatitis, it is also important to consult a doctor promptly.

High fever and cough. The first thing you might think of is pneumonia. Yes, pneumonia is one of the most common causes of this symptom complex. Today, due to the aggressiveness of infections, pneumonia is very dangerous due to complications. Cough with pneumonia is frequent, at the beginning of the disease it is dry, then wet. The temperature is above 39 degrees, headache, nausea, weakness, and snot appear. The body is gradually poisoned by infection. If a cough appears against the background of a low temperature and hurts in the sternum area, then bronchitis most likely develops. A cough can be combined with an increase in temperature even in the presence of a foreign body in the bronchi. Snot in a child usually appears both with pneumonia and bronchitis.

In case of any of these conditions, you should immediately consult a doctor, since any illness is dangerous for a child!

Reasons why body temperature may rise without other symptoms may include:

1. Child overheating. A common mistake young mothers make is that they always try to wrap up their baby. In a child under one year old, thermoregulation processes are somewhat atypical, and any overheating can cause a sharp increase in body temperature above 39 degrees. In such a situation, the first thing to do is undress the baby. For older children, fever may be caused by prolonged exposure to the sun, which can lead to heatstroke. First aid is to cool the baby, for example, apply a cold compress to the forehead, move the baby to the shade, or give the baby a drink of cold water.
2. Severe psycho-emotional trauma. Many parents do not associate an increase in their child’s temperature, for example, with exams or a quarrel with peers. But the nervous system in children can react to such circumstances in its own way, in some cases the child’s temperature rises.
3. Teething. A common cause of increased body temperature occurs against the background of the child’s complete well-being. When teething, you can notice a number of symptoms - the baby has become more whiny and capricious, the stomach is swollen, appetite is decreased, and the surface of the gums is slightly swollen or reddened. Parents at these moments need to be especially attentive to the child, since during teething the baby’s local immunity decreases, which increases the likelihood of contracting an infection, bronchitis or sore throat may develop, and the throat may become red. Therefore, the child’s feet should always be warm. A high temperature during teething may last for several days, all of the above may be accompanied by diarrhea, but this will not indicate poisoning, just as a red throat, cough, and snot will not be a sign of bronchitis. The throat usually does not hurt during teething, even if there is a cough. Many mothers immediately start giving their baby antibiotics, but this is not worth doing. You can give antipyretics, but it is better to consult a doctor for advice. Sometimes during teething there is frequent urination.
4. Preventive vaccinations. An increase in body temperature in children after vaccinations is considered a normal reaction. It can be observed in the first three days after the injection; after some vaccines, for example, against measles, rubella and mumps, elevated body temperature can last up to 15 days. It is necessary to reduce the temperature after vaccination.

How to reduce the temperature? Traditional and folk remedies

Treating a child without consulting a doctor is fraught with dire consequences, so any treatment should begin with a visit to a specialist. First aid, of course, can be provided by parents, but the help of a doctor will be more effective. Today, WHO experts have approved the treatment of fever in children with antipyretics such as paracetamol and ibpurofen, the dosage forms of which are suspensions, suppositories, and tablets.

The doctor decides how long and in what dosage the drug should be used. It is not allowed to use "Analgin" and "Aspirin", because after these drugs serious complications can occur, for example, a child may develop a headache.

For the smallest children, rectal suppositories and suppositories are a convenient form of the drug, especially when the body temperature rises at night or chills begin. Suppositories are fast-acting medications, are well absorbed into the bloodstream and cause fewer complications. If a child experiences convulsions or vomiting due to fever, suppositories are an ideal antipyretic option. Rectal suppositories are also convenient for treating disabled children.

For older children, suspensions or syrups are recommended. It is better to use products without dyes and fragrances to reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction to the drug. Any antipyretic drugs should be taken no more than once every 5-6 hours, be it syrup or suppositories.

Folk remedies that will help relieve fever, especially when there are chills, are made from St. John's wort, chamomile and yarrow. Infusions and compresses are made from these herbs.

Why is fever dangerous for children? The appearance of seizures

The most dangerous complication of fever for a child is convulsions, they are also called.

The reasons why convulsions occur due to fever can be different:

• difficult childbirth;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• intoxication of the nervous system;
• poisoning by bacterial toxins.

Seizures may manifest as:

• twitching of individual muscle groups;
• throwing back the head;
• eye rolling;
• fading;
• holding or stopping the child's breathing.

It is not always known how long the convulsions last, so you need to urgently call an ambulance. With severe convulsions, lasting more than 20 minutes, the child’s jaws sometimes clench. Do not squeeze them with your finger or spoon, otherwise you may harm the baby. If the seizures have stopped before the doctors arrive, then try to assess the baby’s condition yourself: what kind of breathing he has, how he reacts to the surrounding space.