Often parents worry when a child has a fever . Anxiety cause excessive actions do not only parents but also by some physicians . Though fever is generally not harmful . Fever is one of the mechanisms the body to overcome the infection .
Fever usually does not indicate anything serious . Fever is actually no harm and may actually be a good sign that these conditions are often the body's way to fight infections - and not all fevers need to be treated state . However , a high fever can make a child uncomfortable . But be wary as a mild illness when fever cause dehydration , seizures or decreased consciousness .
Fever is usually caused by a viral infection which most do not require antibiotics and are not dangerous unless caused by dengue virus causes dengue fever . Often occurs when a child overdiagnosis typhus just experiencing the usual viral infection .
Often the act of panic and excesses committed by parents and even some physicians when dealing with fever in children . When the fever sometimes parents are still worried and do not know what to do . Treated himself , should immediately go to a doctor or to immediately check blood . In addressing these , every parent and every doctor is different . There is no excessive understatement . Some parents , slight fever should see a doctor immediately .
Even some doctors also sometimes exaggerated , fever briefly given antibiotics immediately and directly mengadviskan should check blood . Not all complaints of fever should be given antibiotics or laboratory should immediately check . Excessive action as it is often detrimental to the child than the effects of the fever itself .
Fever more than 72 hours does not have to always check the blood lab because it is not always caused by dengue or typhoid fever . Preferably , laboratory tests should be based on physician advice . Not based on their own request or by laboratory personnel advice . Check whether or not blood or laboratory test types must be compatible with the clinical manifestations in children so as not to overdo it. When in doubt you should contact your doctor can consult children directly or pertelepon , need to check whether blood or not .
To ask advice kind of examination . Often the doctor just happened mengadviskan complete blood check , but the above advice perugas own laboratory or a desire to add the type of examination that is not necessary . But on the contrary , the parents also do not be too dismissive when the fever caused by a dangerous disease with life-threatening disorders that or make the disease more severe when handling late . Another important point is the temperature measurement when the child has a fever . For infants , measuring rectal temperature because the body closest to the actual temperature . For larger children , measuring the temperature in the mouth or ear . The temperature in the armpit about 0.5 to 0.8 degrees lower than the rectal temperature . Do not " guess " the body temperature by touching the hand without using a thermometer .
Finding the cause of fever in children
In case of fever is actually more important is to find the cause . Parents do not have to worry if the cause is viral infection usual . Be wary if the fever caused dangerous diseases like dengue fever , meningitis or brain infection . When suspected bacterial infections such as typhoid or urinary tract infection should consult a doctor . It is important to note , often occurs due to overdiagnosis typhus typhus laboratory tests are very sensitive and misleading if not carefully observe the signs and symptoms of the disease .
Steps must be taken:
1 . The most common cause , viral infection . Although sometimes a bit sluggish but , if the child is still active and willing to play on the floor biasanay caused by a minor infection such as viral infections . Viral infections characterized by cold and or cough , or diarrhea without blood . Most viral infections without symptoms of coughs , colds or other disorders . The hallmark of viral infection will usually high fever within the first 1-2 days , while days 3-5 down or 4-5 times a day to rise again but not as high as 1-2 days . Usually 6-7 days to be improved itself . In these circumstances it is not necessary and unnecessary antibiotic blood checks .
2 . Dengue hemorrhagic fever . Viral infections are the most to look out for is the typical appearance of dengue fever usually be high in the first 1-2 days , while days 3-5 down or 4-5 times a day to rise again but not as high as 1-2 days . But when the child is very weak 3-5 to not want to play down to the bottom of a sleeping child all day and just want to be picked up berebah on the back . In such circumstances it is advisable to check full blood , dengue IgM or IgG . But no need to check or IgG Widal typhoid . Also no need to check CRP , SGOT , SGPT . Examination for typhoid disease is often very sensitive , which when exposed to a viral infection or the result of probes Widal typhoid IgG increased when not suffering from typhoid . It is demonstrated that the patient was also diagnosed with dengue fever typhus . Actually happens laboratory results are often misleading because typhoid cause a false positive sign . It is often the case , especially in people with allergies and gastrointestinal hypersensitivity
3 . Inflammation of the lining of the brain or brain infection ( meningitis or encephalitis ) . Other dangerous viral infection is meningitis and encephalitis . The disease is suspected when fever accompanied Hars recurrent seizures and old or accompanied by decreased consciousness .
4 . Bacterial infection . Rare cause of infection is a bacterial infection . His trademark is currently 1-2 days is not too high , but the higher 3-5 days . Should be suspected bacterial infection is urinary tract infection , typhoid , bronchitis , pneumonia or other bacterial infections . In these circumstances , a doctor should be consulted .
5 . Cause rare . Other causes are very rare such as auto immune reaction , malignancy , and the like . This occurs when more than 5-7 fever of unknown origin .
6 . High fever is not caused by teething . It often mislead clinicians , especially in people with allergies or gastrointestinal hipersenitif . Under the circumstances they experienced fever and indigestion disorders around the mouth like swollen gums , dry mouth , white tongue , tongue berpulau ( geographic tongue ) , dry lips and bleed . In case of swollen gums are often considered to teething , swollen gums When observed occur in the bulk of the gums , not only on a local one tooth .
Drugs and Treatment Fever
- Fever is a symptom , not a disease . Find the cause is not in a hurry give fever medication .
- Compress . Compress with warm water . Avoid cold compresses with water or alcohol . Compress of alcohol is dangerous because it causes the steam may adversely affect the child terhitup
- No need to worry when a child is difficult to eat or drink . No need to worry if a child does not want to eat at all , as long as the child is still sweet tea to drink water or milk 50-60 percent of the usual amount , or about 400-500 cc a day . Not to worry if the child is still active and playing as usual . Because in general, especially children with gastrointestinal hypersensitivity or children with picky eaters will find it difficult to eat during fever . Usually will not last long , the child experienced in 3-5 days . Parents should be concerned if a child seems excessively weak day keeps sleep and restless children throughout the day .
- Paracetamol / acetamino . Paracetamol is considered quite safe compared to other classes of fever-lowering drugs , because of gastrointestinal side effects to a minimum . Can be administered orally or rectally . However, when used exceed the recommended dose for long periods may cause liver damage . Always read the instructions for use on the packaging , or follow the instructions of your pediatrician .
- Ibuprofen . in addition to lower fever and relieve pain , ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory benefits ( anti -inflammatory ) is low . Side effects such as nausea , abdominal bloating and most severe bleeding in the stomach .
- Naproxen . Often also known as Naproxen sodium . This drug is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ( NSAID ) . Works by lowering hormones causes swelling and pain in tubuh.Umumnya used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis such as inflammation , swelling stiff and painful joints . Can only be obtained by prescription . Due to the use of naproxen in the long term can lead to increased risk of heart disease , not recommended for children with a history of heart disease . Prior consultation with a pediatrician , before the drug is administered .
- Aspirin . Also known as acetylsalicylic acid which has the function to reduce fever , relieve pain and anti-inflammatory . Aspirin as ibuprofen , can cause nausea and stomach bleeding . Therefore , always taking aspirin after meals . Aspirin is not recommended for children when fever is caused by a viral infection , because it can cause Reye's syndrome ( liver disorder which can cause loss of consciousness ) .
When to take a child to the doctor ?
- If your baby is less than 3 months old with a temperature above 38.3 ° C.
- If the fever more than 48 hours - 72 hours without a cough, runny nose , so you need to find the cause . For example , rule out the possibility of a UTI ( Urinary Tract Infection ) .
- Do not want to drink at all , kids just want to drink less than normal and dehydrated . Child 's eyes appear sunken . If the fontanel has not closed , you can see that too sunken fontanel . You can also do a simple skin test . Pinching the skin on the child , when wrinkled and old enough to starting position , then it can be said your child is dehydrated .
- Cranky excessive or continuous cry with screams .
- When the child fever 3-5 days to very weak or sleep continuously throughout the day .
- Seizures , neck stiff neck and shortness of breath .
- Weakness, decreased urination or Restlessness , excessive vomiting when the frequency is more than 5-7 times and diarrhea a lot more than 5-7 times the liquid