stressful
A baby with a fever (Photo: ShutterStock)
Heat - there is no parent who does not know it.
The baby starts to get hot, the cheeks are red, the eyes are shiny - and the parents' anxiety level increases.
So before you run to the emergency room, you should know that fever in children (and also adults) is a reaction of the immune system against viruses and infections.
The increase in body temperature, in fact, improves the work of the immune system and makes the white blood cells work more efficiently.
Heat treatment is very age dependent.
As detailed below, in the more advanced ages - there are more solutions.
Parents of babies always ask when body temperature is considered normal, and when not?
Normal body temperature ranges between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees Celsius.
Besides the fever, other signs can appear such as sleepiness and apathy, relative lack of appetite, breathing problems and relatively little contact with his immediate environment.
In general, you can give paracetamol every 4 hours and Norofen every 6 hours.
Still, you should check the instructions of each bottle because different preparations are more concentrated with other instructions.
Nurofen is not recommended for children under the age of 6 months, and in general one is not more recommended than the other.
Newborn up to one month old
First, it is important to emphasize that until the age of one month it is recommended not to use antipyretic drugs (such as paracetamol) before consulting the attending physician.
Second, if a fever appears, our course of action as parents depends on the level of fever.
If there is a fever above 38 degrees (not a forehead test, but a rectal temperature test) you should go to the emergency room without delay.
No referral needed.
In the emergency department they will conduct a full investigation and perform a blood test.
Why are we worried at this age?
A baby who is only a month old is not yet communicating with his environment - not yet smiling - not yet showing us signs that he is "okay".
Serious infections that can pass through the birth canal and may lead to meningitis should be ruled out.
If the temperature is lower than 38 degrees, you can contact your family doctor or the nearest HMO branch where you are being treated for a comprehensive examination.
Between 2 and 4 months
At this point, the child is probably already vaccinated (vaccinations at the age of two months), so we can be more relaxed (because we have ruled out the things he was vaccinated against).
Sometimes, fever can also appear as a byproduct of the vaccinations they received, assuming it is a few days after the vaccinations.
However, some of the children in this age range are in daycare and there they are exposed to a host of different diseases.
If a fever appears, it is better not to wait and treat with antipyretic drugs, and of course contact the attending physician for clarification.
More in Walla!
7 surprising reasons why you have a fever
To the full article
Over 4 months old
It should be checked whether at the same time the child is vital and eating?
If so, you don't have to run immediately to the health fund and you can treat it at home.
If, for example, he does not want to eat, does not urinate, is sleepy, these are alarming signs that require investigation and medical intervention.
Important Information
About 2% of babies and children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years may suffer from convulsions due to high fever, or due to other reasons.
During the convulsion, the child may lose consciousness, roll his eyes, lose control of his sphincters and flap his arms in involuntary movements.
In case of convulsions, with or without fever, urgent evacuation to the emergency room by ambulance is required.
Of course, with any questions, please contact the attending physician.
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Heat
babies