Fever in young children: what’s behind it?
Fever is a symptom that often occurs with known childhood illnesses. For example, gastrointestinal infections, flu infections, middle ear and tonsillitis or bronchitis can lead to feverish reactions. If your child has a high fever for several days, it makes sense to see a paediatrician to find out the exact cause. If the treating paediatrician suspects that a serious childhood illness is responsible for the fever, they will arrange for further examinations.
Tip: Some children go through the "three-day fever" in infancy or toddler age. This is nothing to worry about as it’s a mostly harmless disease caused by a virus. Symptoms of three-day fever are episodes of fever that last for several days, followed by a rash all over the body. Once your child has overcome the virus, they are then immune to the pathogen for life. You cannot treat the cause of the virus, you can only alleviate the symptoms. It’s important that your little darling receives fever-reducing medication if necessary and drinks plenty of fluids.
How do I measure my child's temperature correctly?
In order to cure the fever at home, you should measure the temperature of your child regularly. The best way to do this is to take a rectal measurement with a digital clinical thermometer.
If your child is uncomfortable with the rectal measurement, you can alternatively measure with an ear thermometer in the ear canal. However, you should proceed carefully and follow the device instructions carefully so that you do not measure incorrectly.
You should only take measurements in the mouth with older children. The measurements under the armpit are still too imprecise for small children and babies. In newborns and infants, a fever is present from a body temperature of 38.5 °C. If your child has a temperature of over 38.5 °C, it has a fever. Your little darling will also show you that it is feverish on the outside: its skin is cool and wet or its face is red.
Cure fever at home: How do I help my child?
As long as your child is behaving cheerfully, continues to show an appetite, and is eating and drinking normally, you don't need to take any additional action. However, if your child feels very unwell and has a high fever of up to 40 °Celsius, you should take antipyretic medication. The active ingredients ibuprofen and paracetamol are suitable here. Older children can take these as pills, while infants and young children should be given suppositories or juices.
If you like, you can also use "well-tried" home remedies such as body-warm calf wraps. You also help your child by offering something to drink about every hour, since your little one loses a lot of fluids when they have a fever. Also, make sure your child stays in bed and eats regularly. If your child has little or no appetite, offer light food that is not heavy on the stomach.
Important: If your child suddenly reacts very sensitively to touch, screams or seems apathetic and no longer feels hungry, you should consult your paediatrician as soon as possible. A doctor's visit is also necessary if the fever lasts longer than three days or if the high temperature cannot be reduced despite medication.
What to do if my child gets a febrile seizure?
Febrile seizures occur whenever body temperature falls or rises rapidly. You notice a febrile seizure through the following symptoms:
- Your child rolls their eyes, twitches, or goes limp
- Lips may turn blue
- Sometimes a febrile seizure is accompanied by fainting, causing your young child to lose consciousness
In general, such febrile seizures are rare - in about three to five percent of small children - but they give parents a real fright. However, such febrile seizures usually pass on their own after a few minutes. In most cases, the cramps are also harmless from a health point of view - so your child will not suffer any permanent damage.
Even if you are very worried and unsure whether your child needs medical help: try to keep calm and be there for your child. Put your child in a stable side position and keep their face and nose free. If your child throws up, be careful not to swallow the vomit. Your little darling should never drink or eat during such an attack, as they could choke on it. Even if the febrile seizure subsides after a few minutes, you should definitely have your child examined by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out a serious cause. If the febrile seizure persists, it's important to call the emergency doctor as soon as possible. This ends the "complicated febrile seizure" with "emergency medication" and arranges for further examinations.
