Fever In Babies; Causes And Home Remedies

What Could Be The Reason For Fever In My Baby?

Fever is the rise in the body’s temperature. Fever means the body’s temperature being 100.4⁰Fahrenheit (F) or 38⁰Celsius (C) or higher. The brain regulates our body’s temperature. This thermoregulation is not fully developed in babies. So, they get a fever in response to minor illness or there may be no infection in their bodies. Fever in babies could be due to:

• Infection: Fever is usually due to the body’s defense mechanism against infection. Infants develop fever even with minor illnesses.
• Vaccination: Babies tend to get a fever following vaccination. This is again a normal body response.
• Overheating: Sometimes, the baby is overheated by many layers of clothing or blankets over them. This can also result in a fever. Never place your baby alone in a heated car or near a heater in a bundle of layers. This can be dangerous as the body’s temperature may rise suddenly. Comfortably dress your baby.
• Less intake of fluids: Sometimes when your baby doesn’t feed properly or takes fewer fluids it can result in high temperature and dehydration.

How To Check Your Baby’s Temperature?

You can check your child’s temperature on different parts of the body. Measuring a baby’s temperature through the anus is considered the most accurate method for a very young child. The methods for taking a baby’s temperature are:

• Rectal measure: Insert the rectal thermometer having a safety bulb, into the anus to record the temperature. Place your baby on his tummy. Separate your baby’s bottoms with one hand and insert the thermometer into the anus with another hand to about half-inch. This is the recommended method for a child below 3 months or a child unable to cooperate while taking the temperature.
• Forehead measurement is the next best choice, for a child younger than 3 years. The digital thermometer is simply placed in front of the forehead to record the temperature.
• Oral measurement: For a child above 4 years this can be used. You can measure the temperature by inserting a thermometer into the mouth, below the tongue and then keep the mouth closed for 2 minutes and record the temperature.
• Measurement through the ear: Gently insert the probe tip into the ear canal, hold the button for a few seconds, then read the temperature.
• Axillary or underarm measurement: You can assess the body temperature from the armpit area, but it is not a very accurate method.

At-Home Care For The Baby

What you should do:

• Remove the extra layers of clothes. Put on lightweight and comfortable attire.
• Infants: you can put on a wearable blanket over them.
• Toddlers: put a light blanket over your baby
• Bathing is good for the baby if he is having a fever. Use lukewarm water.  You can simply sponge-bathe your baby with lukewarm water.
• Give plenty of fluids or breastfeed the baby to prevent dehydration. Your child may not eat well during the fever. So make sure to give enough liquids to the child.
• Infants: breastfeed your little one frequently.
• Toddlers: you should increase water intake and give juice and electrolyte solutions to your baby.
• Medicines like acetaminophen and Ibuprofen help in lowering the temperature. Read the instructions on the label to know the dosage for your baby. You can ask your doctor about the required dose or medicines.
• Infants: Acetaminophen can be given to treat fever.
• Toddlers: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given safely to a baby who is above 6 months.
• Ensure your baby gets proper rest to help a speedy recovery.

What you should NOT do:

• Never give aspirin to your baby as it can cause a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome in children, that shows as confusion, fits, and unconsciousness
• Don’t use cold water to bathe your baby as it can cause shivering. Also, the use of alcohol is not recommended.
• Don’t force-feed your baby while he is not well.

When To See A Doctor?

Call your doctor if, you notice the following signs and symptoms:

• Fever more than 102.5⁰F or 39⁰C in a child above 3 months may need medical attention. If the fever keeps coming back even after the medication or lasts for more than 3-4 days you should consult the doctor.
• Get a consultation from the doctor, if your baby is less than 3 months old and has a fever of 101.4⁰F or 38.5⁰C or higher.
• When you notice an unusual rash on your baby’s body along with a fever, consult your doctor.
• If it is difficult to wake up your baby or the baby is lazy, or drowsy, immediate medical care is needed.
• Baby is not eating or drinking, has a dry mouth, sunken eyes, and looks very ill. These are the signs that need immediate medical attention.
• Call your doctor if the fever is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Always seek medical care for a baby, with weak immunity as in sickle cell disease or cancer, having fever.

Factors Requiring An Individualized Approach

• Recent immunization within 48 h
• Recent treatment with antibiotics
• Toxic appearance
• Missing immunizations for age
• History of chronic illness
• History of immunodeficiency
• Petechial rash
• Clinical dehydration
• Seizure within this illness
• No telephone
• Uncertain follow-up

Conclusion

Fever management in children depends on knowledge of serious bacterial illness risks. Sick children need investigation, hospitalization, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and medical support. Well, children with a fever's apparent source receive specific therapy. Those under three months old need hospitalization or close monitoring. Children over three months old require careful assessment for investigation and treatment.