Does your little one have a fever? Don't worry, let's talk about it!

Hello! It's very normal to feel a lot of stress and worry when your little one has a fever, isn't it? You think, 'Oh, what happened to my son/daughter? I don't know if it's a big problem.' Actually, most of the time, a fever is not something to be afraid of. However, as a mother or father, we need to know exactly when we need to see a doctor and how to take care of our baby at home. So today, we will talk about this fever, that is, high temperature , in a very simple way that you can understand. Right?

What exactly is fever? Let's understand it simply.

Simply put, a fever is a condition in which our body temperature, or body heat, is significantly higher than normal. We usually say in medical terms that a person has a fever if their body temperature is 38 degrees Celsius (38°C) or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (100.4°F) or higher. Now you might be wondering, 'How do I measure this accurately?' That's why we use a thermometer.

However, depending on where we measure the temperature – whether it is in the armpit, inside the mouth, on the forehead, or through the rectum (rectal method) – this value we get can vary slightly. This is because the core body temperature is slightly higher than the surface temperature. For example, a rectal temperature is usually slightly higher than a rectal temperature . That is why doctors sometimes refer to a rectal temperature when checking the temperature of a small baby. However, to know for sure if your baby has a fever, it is best to use a thermometer.

Why do these babies suddenly develop fevers?

Most of the time, about ninety percent of the time, a fever in young children is caused by an infection . This can be a bacterial infection, or it can be a viral infection. Think of it this way: our body is like a fortress. Germs are like enemies that are trying to attack this fortress. A fever is when our body's defense system, the ``Immune System,'' is activated to fight these enemies. When we get a fever, our body's ``Immune System'' is stimulated even more and starts fighting the infection. Also, doctors believe that when the body temperature increases, the ability of the germs that cause the disease to grow and spread decreases. In other words, a fever is actually a good sign that our body is fighting the disease!

But, not all fevers are caused by an infection. Babies can also get fevers for a number of other reasons. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Over-dressing or hot environment:This is especially true for infants who are a few months old, especially newborns. They cannot control their body temperature as well as older children. So, if they are overdressed, wrapped in thick clothes, or the room is too warm, the baby's body can overheat and develop a fever. Imagine, a mother had wrapped her newborn baby in a thick blanket and closed the windows in the room. After a while, the baby's body was hot. When she looked at the thermometer, it looked like a slight fever. The mother was scared. But when she took off some clothes and let the air in the room, the fever went down. However, this is very important: If a newborn baby has a fever, even if you think it may be because they are wearing too many clothes, you should definitely show it to a doctor. Because it can also be a sign of a serious infection. So it is not a good idea to take risks.

• Immunizations/Vaccinations: After a baby is given a vaccine, sometimes they may develop a slight fever. This usually subsides after a day or two at most. This is the immune system's response to the vaccine. There is nothing to worry about. The doctor will give you medicine to reduce the fever at that time.

• Teething: Some mothers say, "Oh, doctor, my baby is teething , that's why he has a fever." It's true that sometimes, even when teething, a baby's body temperature can only rise slightly, that is, very slightly. But if the fever is over 100°F (37.8°C), then teething cannot be the only cause. Then we need to think about another cause.

When does a fever become dangerous? You need to be very careful about this!

A fever in a normally healthy, active, and active child is usually not dangerous. However, we should be aware of the following situations when a fever can be dangerous. These are some of the things we should not forget:

• Infants younger than 3 months: This is the most important thing. If your baby is less than three months old, and their rectal temperature is 38 degrees Celsius (38°C) or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (100.4°F) or higher, call your doctor immediately, or take them to the nearest hospital emergency room. Again, a fever in a very young baby can be the only sign of a serious infection that can be life-threatening. Their immune systems are not yet fully developed, so even a minor infection can spread quickly. So be very careful about this.

• Children with other chronic health conditions: If your child has a chronic health condition – for example, heart conditions, lung conditions, diabetes, or immunodeficiency disorders – they may not be able to be treated like a normal child if they have a fever. It is important to talk to your child's doctor in advance and be sure to ask them, "What should I do if my child has a fever? How high should I call you?" They may have specific instructions.

Imagine, the mother of little Nimali called the doctor as soon as she saw that her two-month-old baby had a fever. The doctor told her to bring him to the ` (ETU) ` immediately. When the tests were done, the baby had a minor `( Urinary Tract Infection )`. Since treatment was started quickly, the baby recovered quickly. That is why we need to be especially careful about fever in young babies.

So, when should you not be too worried about a fever? Learn this to put your mind at ease!

Okay, now we've covered the things to be concerned about. Not all fevers are that dangerous. If your baby is over 3 months old and shows the following symptoms, there's nothing to worry about with a fever. You can take it easy:

• If the child is still interested in playing and being happy . If he plays with his toys a little and smiles even though he has a fever, that's a good sign.
• Drinking plenty of fluids like water, milk, and fruit juice is very important to prevent dehydration.
• If you are mindful, listen carefully when you speak, recognize you, and respond with a smile.
• If the skin color is normal (not pale or blue).
• The most important thing is that if the child starts playing well and seems healthy after the fever has subsided, after giving a fever-reducing medicine (e.g. Paracetamol), this shows that there is nothing wrong with their basic condition.

Another thing, don't worry too much about a child with a fever not wanting to eat or refusing food. This is very common with infections that cause fever. The most important thing is to make sure the child is drinking plenty of fluids and urinating ( peeing ) as often as possible. If so, it's okay to eat a little less. When they get better and the fever goes down, they'll start eating well again. So don't worry about it, okay?

What are the signs that you might feel or see that your baby has a fever?

Sometimes, even when there's no fever thermometer nearby, you may wonder if your baby has a fever. Then, keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• When you touch your forehead, neck, or chest, you feel warmer than usual. This is something mothers feel well, right?
• The child's behavior changes. He may be more fussy/cranky than usual. He may cry a lot, or he may not like anything. Or, some children may become more quiet, depressed, and stay in bed .
• You may feel like your breathing is a little faster, or your heart rate may be higher than normal. You can feel this by lightly touching your chest.
• You can say that you have a headache (if the child is older and can talk). Small babies may hold their heads and cry.
• You may feel like you're cold, get chills, or suddenly start sweating. These things can happen when you have a fever or when you have a cold.
• The skin may appear flushed, or the eyes may appear red.

If you see any of these signs, the best thing to do is to take your child's temperature accurately using a thermometer. That's how we can determine exactly if they really have a fever, how high it is, and what we should do next.

So, shall we remind you again of the most important things to remember about this fever?

Okay, now we've talked a lot about the flu. To sum it all up, here are the most important things to keep in mind:

Fever is often a natural, healthy response of the body to fight an illness. So there's no need to panic or be afraid of every fever. What matters is the child's age and their normal behavior.

• If a baby under 3 months old has a fever (38°C/100.4°F or higher when measured rectally), it is an emergency! Definitely, see a doctor or take him to the hospital immediately without any delay. This needs to be said a thousand times.
• If your baby is over 3 months old, is playing well, is drinking plenty of fluids, and seems healthy and happy when the fever goes down, there is usually nothing to worry about. However, if the fever persists for several days or your baby's condition seems to be getting worse, it is wise to see a doctor.
• Always use a thermometer to accurately measure your temperature. It's more accurate than just assuming that your body feels hot.
• Keep the child comfortable. Do not overdress or wrap him/her. Keep the room well ventilated. Give fluids (water, milk, juice, etc.) frequently.
• Finally, the most important thing: If you have any doubts, if you feel scared, if you feel uneasy, if you think, 'I don't know if something is wrong with this,' never hesitate to call a doctor and get advice, don't be shy. What a mother or father thinks and feels about their child is often right. Listen to what your heart tells you. No one knows your child better than you.

So, with these things in mind, you will definitely be able to deal with your little one's fever without panicking, but with wisdom and love. Above all, the comfort and safety of the child is what matters to us. We wish you all good health!

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