{"id":15140,"date":"2019-10-31T17:53:59","date_gmt":"2019-10-31T16:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cosinuss.com\/?p=15140"},"modified":"2020-08-17T10:03:55","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T08:03:55","slug":"fever-in-babies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cosinuss.com\/en\/2019\/10\/31\/fever-in-babies\/","title":{"rendered":"Fever in Babies: a Fever Guide for Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

When their kids are having a fever, most parents are just thrown in at the deep end and have to figure out for themselves, how to handle this new and frightening situation. There is nothing, that prepares you for being awake all night and worrying about your little one, checking for signs of deterioration or recovery and hoping all goes well. When the patient is a baby, particular attention is needed, as there are some specifics, which have to be considered. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

What Is a Fever?<\/h2><\/div>

A fever is actually a good thing: When viruses or bacteria force their way into the body, the body responds by raising the \u201athermostat\u2018. At higher temperatures, germs can\u2018t settle and multiply so easily. The temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus, the control center for the body temperature. Normally, it regulates the temperature to around 98.6\u00b0 F, but when having an infection, it gives the command to heat up. A normal, healthy body temperature is then considered as too cold and the body produces heat.
\nSo, a fever is not a disease but a symptom and a very clever defense reaction.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Sometimes, a fever is a side effect of a vaccination. This is a physiologically useful reaction of the body. With a vaccine, antigenes are introduced into the body. The body\u2018s reaction is to activate its immune system which might provoke minor disease symptoms (but there acutally is no \u201areal\u2018 infection!).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>

Fever in Babies<\/h2><\/div>

Kids often have a fever, their bodies are still learning how to handle pathogens. A harmless disease might already cause a rise of temperature. But sometimes newborns DO NOT react with a fever, even if they are seriously ill. It can happen, that a very young baby becomes cold rather than hot, when he is sick.<\/p>\n

As parents, it is our everyday task to read our baby\u2018s signs, since a baby cannot communicate verbally. We are used to that, so normaly, when something is wrong, we realize it quickly. A fevering baby might be whiny, become fatigued faster than usually or more restless. He feels hotter, with a warm and faster breath, has tired eyes and might have chills.<\/p>\n<\/div>

How to Take the Temperature?<\/h2><\/div>

If you think that your baby might have a fever, take his temperature to be on the safe side. Knowing the exact temperature is important for your decision, which steps to take next. There are different ways to take the temperature<\/a>. For babies, you\u2018d better choose a method that is as less disturbing as possible. We recommend degree\u00b0 in-ear measurement<\/a> as it is accurate and is accepted well by infants. It makes undressing your baby unnecessary and your baby does not have to keep still. Also, degree\u00b0 has a decisive advantage compared to other thermometers: it measures continuously, so you can monitor your baby\u2018s fever curve permanently and know exactly in which fever phase he is which allows you to act accordingly. Moreover, monitoring at night is easily possible without disturbing your baby\u2018s sleep.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Is it a Fever?<\/h2><\/div>

Babies have a slightly higher body temperature than older kids and adults. It lies between 97.7\u00b0 F and 99.5\u00b0 F. The temperature is lower in the morning, and higher in the evening. The temperature is increased, when it is over 100.4\u00b0 F, over 101.3\u00b0 F it is a fever.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n

Even though it is often claimed, teething does not cause a fever<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>

When to Call the Doctor?<\/h2><\/div>

You know your child best \u2013 so call your pediatrician when you are worried, regardless of the temperature. When you feel uneasy, ask your doctor for specific advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Babies under 3 months<\/h3><\/div>

Immediately consult your doctor, if your baby’s temperature is 100.4\u00b0 F or higher. Babies of this age might not react with a higher temperature, even if they have a serious disease. So your child needs to be examined for ill health. If you can\u2018t reach your paediatrician, go to an emergency room right away, even if it is the middle of the night. Very young babies often don\u2018t display the typical symptoms, if they have a severe infection.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Babies between 3 and 6 months<\/h3><\/div>

See your doctor, if your baby has a fever of 101\u00b0 F or higher and has symptoms like loss of appetite, unusual behaviour, drowsiness or fussiness, vomiting or diarrhea. Otherwise, if your baby appears well, you don\u2018t have to see your doctor, except the fever lasts longer than 24 hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Babies older than 6 months<\/h3><\/div>

If the temperature is 103\u00b0 F or higher and other symptoms (as aforementioned) show you need to see a doctor. The most important thing is, how your baby looks and behaves. A febrile baby is tired and weak, of course, but if nothing appears out of the ordinary, there is no need to call the doctor.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Also consult a doctor, if your baby:<\/p>\n