Cigdem Yavrucu / Child Health and Diseases Specialist

1. Wrong: Fever is very dangerous for the child.

Actually: Fever means the body's defense mechanism is working.

2. Wrong: Wiping the body with alcohol, vinegar and cologne will reduce fever.

Actually: Although the veins contract at the first moment and decrease the fever, then the vessels expand again and the fever rises more. It increases the risk of referral, especially in young babies.

3. Wrong: Not to take off the child's clothes, even to dress him more, to give him too hot or too cold drinks, to take a shower with cold water.

Actually: Cold water may cause the veins to contract, causing the fever to rise again. Warm water should be preferred instead of cold water. Again, children can be given refreshing drinks instead of very cold drinks.

4. Wrong: Having a different temperature on your skin means high fever.

Actually: The skin of the children can get warm due to the games such as running games, crying, getting out of bed, being outdoors on a hot day. When the conditions that cause this situation are over, their skin returns to its normal temperature within 10-20 minutes. It is not enough to feel the temperature by hand or lip, you should definitely measure your temperature with a thermometer to be sure.

5. Wrong: When taking antipyretic drugs, the fever should drop to its normal level.

Actually: Fever usually decreases 1-1.5 degrees when medication is given.

6. Wrong: If the fever is not dropped, it will continue to rise.

Actually: There is a natural thermostat in the brain. For this reason, the fever caused by infection travels between 39.5 and 40 degrees and rarely rises to the range of 40.6 to 41.1 degrees.

7. Wrong: When a child has a fever, it must be reduced with a fever reducer.

Actually: If fever causes discomfort in the child, it can be treated with medication. It usually does not cause discomfort unless it exceeds 39-39.5 degrees.

8. Wrong: Antibiotics should be given as antipyretics.

Actually: Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, not effective against viruses, and have no effectiveness as antipyretics.

9. Wrong: Once the fever is dropped, it will not rise again.

Actually: Fever may continue until the virus is fully controlled as long as the disease continues; so it may take up to 3-5 days.

10. Wrong: The degree of fever is important.

Actually: Rather than the degree, it is important how the child looks.