Table of contents:
- Why does fever occur in children?
- Then what are the symptoms of fever in children?
- Does a child with fever need a doctor's treatment?
For parents who already have children, their growth and development should be one of the top priorities. However, there are health problems that are difficult to avoid and always attack children's health, for example, such as fever. Fever is a health problem that commonly occurs in children, including those under 10 years of age. For that, you need to know the symptoms of fever in children from the very beginning.
Why does fever occur in children?
Fever is not really a disease. Conversely, symptoms of fever in children are signs that your little one's body is fighting a disease or infection.
When the body has a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more, your little one is said to have a fever. The body has several ways of keeping temperature stable by responding to changes in weather or air temperature by:
- Increase or decrease sweat production
- Bringing closer or also removing blood flow from the surface of the skin
- Remove or maintain fluid levels in the body
- Looking for a cooler or warmer environment
Then what are the symptoms of fever in children?
Fever causes discomfort in children as the temperature or body temperature continues to rise. Together with a body temperature that reaches or exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, the symptoms of fever that a child may feel are:
- The child's activity level decreased unusually
- Children are more fussy, lose their appetite and thirst more quickly
- The child will feel an increase in body temperature or even feel hot. But keep in mind, the numbers that show your little one's body temperature are not necessarily as high as you think
Symptoms of fever in children may look like symptoms when other health problems occur. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your little one is under 3 years old and has a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more, you need to immediately take him to the doctor.
Fever is a health problem that is rarely dangerous to your little one. However, an increase in body temperature can make a child shiver and sweat when the temperature decreases, causing discomfort.
Sometimes when body fluids are lost and not replaced immediately, your little one may experience mild dehydration. So you need to pay attention to the symptoms of fever in children.
Does a child with fever need a doctor's treatment?
You don't need to see a pediatrician if your little one who has a fever is already 3 years old or older. Overcoming fever can be done at home. There are several drugs that can help reduce heat. But you need to keep an eye on the ingredients and choose the ones that give you the lowest side effects.
Fever can make your little one feel uncomfortable. Therefore, you need to solve it. However, when dealing with fever, keep in mind that you cannot speed up the body's process of fighting a disease or infection. You can help the child relieve the discomfort they feel, for example, such as reducing a hot body temperature.
On the other hand, there are several symptoms of fever in children which are a sign of other diseases. If this happens, you need to contact a doctor immediately.
Symptoms of fever in dangerous children are usually accompanied by:
- Sluggish and unresponsive to your calls
- Unconscious for the first time
- Difficulty or shortness of breath
- Throws up
- Headache
- Pain in the abdomen
- Stiff neck
- Fever for more than 3 days
- Have traveled or had direct contact with someone who has a serious infection
Babies under 3 months of age who experience fever also need to be taken to the doctor immediately.
Parents need to be observant in maintaining children's health from an early age. Fever in general is not a serious threat to health. However, if the symptoms of fever in children are accompanied by several other symptoms that rarely occur, it is better to immediately take your little one to a doctor or health professional.
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