What to do when a baby has a fever?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Assoc. Prof. TS.BS Huynh Thoai Loan - Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. Uncle is one of the leading experts in Pediatrics - Neonatology in Ho Chi Minh City with nearly 30 years of experience in examining and treating diseases of pediatric endocrinology, pediatric nephrology and other pediatric - neonatal problems.
The average normal infant temperature is between 36.5 and 37.4 degrees Celsius. Newborns have a fever when the rectal temperature is 38 degrees Celsius or higher. Fever can be a symptom of many diseases, including simple and dangerous diseases.

1. When is a child considered to have a fever?

Newborns have a fever when their body temperature is 38 degrees Celsius or higher. A temperature below 38 degrees Celsius is not counted as a fever because a child's body can increase due to many different reasons such as: hot weather, children wearing too many clothes, just taking a warm bath...
In addition, heat Children's body temperature tends to increase in the late afternoon and decrease in the early morning. Therefore, parents need to check the child's temperature with a thermometer to accurately determine whether the child has a fever or not.

2. Taking care of babies with fever

When the infant has a fever, feed the baby more often, increase the feeding time and the amount of feed each time. Let the child lie in a cool room, wear light clothes. Actively wipe the young person with a warm towel to cool the child's body. Warm towels can be used to cover the child's forehead, armpits and groin.

3. Babies under 3 months of age with fever are very dangerous

Babies under 3 months old are very immature, so a fever can lead to very serious effects. You should pay special attention to the child. If the child's fever is not caused by warmth or the room temperature is too hot, take the child to the hospital immediately, in case the child has a fever due to a very dangerous infection.

4. When a newborn has a fever, the rectal temperature should be the most accurate

The temperature measured in the forehead, ears, armpits of children may have errors, especially when parents measure with an electronic thermometer. To measure the most accurate temperature, when the infant has a fever, it is advisable to measure the rectal temperature to avoid causing unnecessary panic or not promptly handling when the child has a fever that is too high.

5. When an infant has a fever, it is necessary to treat the symptoms, not reduce the fever

Many parents only pay attention to how to lower their child's fever, not paying attention to their child's symptoms. They think that the higher the fever, the more severe the illness. This is not entirely correct. In fact, there are many cases of children with high fever but still eating, sleeping and playing normally. There are cases where the child only has a fever of more than 38 degrees, but is fussy, stops feeding, shows fatigue, asks to be held... It is necessary to pay attention to the child's symptoms to determine whether the child's condition is okay or not, or is needed. hospital check it?

6. Note when using medicine for babies with fever

Infants with fever below 38.5 degrees Celsius should reduce fever by applying a warm towel. Use a soft cloth dipped in warm water about 30 degrees Celsius to wipe the child's body, especially the forehead, armpit and groin area.
If the child continues to apply warm compresses, but the child does not have a fever or the fever is higher than 38.5 degrees Celsius, then give the child fever-reducing medicine. Note:
For children under 6 months of age, it is recommended to reduce fever for children with acetaminophen (paracetamol) rather than ibuprofen. If you have a fever for 30 minutes, but the temperature still does not drop, you should take the child to the hospital to be checked

7. Fever is the body's defense response

Fever is the body's defense response against harmful agents such as viruses, bacteria. Fever is a sign that a child's immune system is working properly.
If the child still has a fever after wearing loose clothes, adjusting the room temperature, the child does not have a fever after vaccination, parents need to take the child to the hospital for examination to find out the cause and be given a doctor's advice. reasonable treatment regimen for children.
Children at any stage are very susceptible to diseases that cause fever. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, Master's degree), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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