How should treatment with high fever be?

Cigdem Yavrucu / Child Health and Diseases Specialist

One of the most worrying situations for parents is high fever. Here's what you need to pay attention to in this regard.

It is not a definite rule to treat all conditions of fever or to normalize body temperature. However, lowering the fever makes the child comfortable. Unless the fever is too high (above 41 degrees), it does not cause any special harm to the patient. Fever is one of the body's ways to fight infections. Therefore, reducing fever should be unique to each patient. At the same time, fever may remain at high limits during illness. It is a rare condition that the body temperature is 41 degrees and above and it is defined as hyperpyrexia.

• How many days may the fever take?

In children older than 3 months, it is necessary to act, taking into account the degree and duration of the fever, as well as the general condition of the patient. Children with a general condition, normal feeding, fever below 38.5 degrees can be monitored for up to 3 days with symptomatic fever treatment at home. If the duration of the fever exceeds 3 days, even if there is no obvious reason, it is absolutely necessary to make the necessary evaluation by consulting a doctor.

• What not to do in high fever

High fever often causes chills and trembling. A child with a fever, and trembling, should not be covered. It is important not to wear thick clothes and to let the body breathe. Never take a bath with cold water. Compresses should not be applied with vinegar or alcohol. Antipyretic medicines should not be used frequently. Otherwise, the fever may rise even more, and can lead to consequences such as medicine and alcohol poisoning.

• Conditions to consult a doctor in high fever

* If the fever rises above 40 degrees and lasts longer than 72 hours,

* If there is constant crying, groaning and restlessness with fever,

* If there is constant sleepiness, confusion, and numbness,

* If the discomfort continues despite the fever drops,

* If difficult and frequent breathing, cough, wheezing, chest pain, ear pain, abdominal pain, sore throat, neck stiffness, persistent vomiting, frequent diarrhea, burning when urinating, change in urine color must be taken into consideration to the doctor.

* If he / she has had a convulsion before,

• How should nutrition be in children with high fever?

Fever leads to an increase in fluid loss as it increases sweating and respiratory rate. Therefore, the child should be given plenty of fluids. For this purpose, especially water, fresh juice, ayran, soup and juicy fruits should be preferred in nutrition. Breastfeeding babies should be breast-fed. Fever increases the calorie requirement as it speeds up the child's metabolism. Therefore, the child with high fever should not be starved and their nutrition should be supported. The child should be given soup (enriched with vegetables, protein), yogurt, banana, rice or potatoes, especially because the weakness is evident and needs energy. However, the child should never be over-forced for feeding. Food should be prepared to appeal to his palate.

Editor's note: Be sure to read our columnist's other column about fire.