Children and fevers

All children get a fever from time to time. It means that their little bodies are fighting off an infection and they will be healthy in no time. But when your child wakes up in the middle of the night with a high temperature, it’s natural to get worried and wonder what to do next.

A fever occurs when the body’s temperature increases to 99°F and higher. A fever is not a condition in itself. It is a symptom of something else, such as an underlying infection. When your child develops a fever, you should understand that their body is working on fixing an issue. Typically, a fever will subside in a couple of days. If your child has a very high temperature or a persistent fever lasting several days, take them to a doctor immediately.

What causes fevers in children?

As mentioned earlier, fevers develop when the body is trying to combat an underlying issue. Here are some common causes of fevers in kids:

• The most common cause of fever in children is viral infection. The body raises its temperature to fight off these infections.
• Newborns and infants are not capable of regulating their body temperature as well as older children. So it is common for babies to develop a fever if they are dressed in too many layers of clothing or if they are in a hot environment. Fevers in babies are not to be ignored and require medical attention.
• Children and babies can sometimes develop a low-grade fever after they have been given their vaccines.

When is a fever serious?

You don’t need to treat all fevers in healthy children, but you need to keep an eye on their body temperature during a bout. A doctor is the best person to decide when a fever is to be taken seriously or not. Consult a paediatrician when your little one develops a fever so you can prevent something more serious.