08/05/2019
Fever in children -what to do?
Fever is one of the most common health complaint in kids.
It is body's response to kill germs.
Any infection anywhere in body can cause fever.
Parents often get panic if fever starts coming.
1.Don't panic
2.Don't run after antibiotics.Don't start self medicating on your own or by seeing old prescriptions.
There can be many causes of fever..it's mostly viral in India in which antibiotics are of no use.
Start them only after consulting your pediatrician.
3.Don't keep visiting doctors' twice a day or keep calling him with every fever spike.
Have patience..it's going to take time.
Kindly at least wait for 72 hours.
4. Give paracetamol in appropriate dosage.
5.Tepid sponging can be done .
6.DONT ADD ICE TO WATER WHILE SPONGING.
Use tap water during summers and lukewarm water during winters.
Don't just put wet towel on forehead.Instead use it in armpits and groin area
Rich capillary network(blood supply) in these areas quickly exchange heat.
7.Don't add 1 to your thermometer reading in babies and toddlers.
8.Forehead isn't the right place to check temperature, it doesn't show core body temperature.
9.Give plenty of fluids to drink- water,coconut water, ORS, etc.
10. Don't put extra layers of clothing unless child is feeling cold.
11.Don't insist your pediatrician for blood tests during early part of illness.
He/she knows better when to do tests.
You aren't going to get anything in blood tests if not done at right time.
