What temperature should be lowered in a child under one year old?

Why is fever necessary?

Fever usually occurs due to a viral infection. Often the disease begins with an increase in body temperature, other symptoms appear later.

In fact, fever is a good sign. After all, an increase in temperature means that the body has begun to fight the infection, and a high temperature means that the body is coping well.

Fever, as a reaction to a disease, indicates a healthy immune system - so this is not a reason for fear, but for joy. An artificial decrease in temperature can weaken protection, so you should not resort to it without sufficiently compelling reasons, at least until the thermometer shows more than 38.5°.

Why is the temperature rising?

There is an increase for 2 reasons:

the immune system fights diseases - viruses, infections, bacteria, inflammation;
as a result of physical actions - after screaming, crying, running, hot bath, overheating in the sun.

In the first case, the fever is brought down with drugs, in the second, the child is given time to cool down on his own.

Before feeding your child paracetamol, you need to understand the difference, which temperature is dangerous for the child and which is useful.

Fever is normal. The body's natural reaction to illness is to activate the immune system and warm the blood. The hotter the blood, the more types of pathogenic microorganisms will self-destruct - some lose the ability to reproduce, some die.

This is a physiological process inherent at the genetic level. Fighting bacteria and viruses through fever produces antibodies in the body, which in the future will instantly react if they are re-infected and the disease will not begin.

Important! A baby's normal temperature reaches 37.1 degrees even in a calm state, especially in the first months of life.

Thoughtless intervention and constant artificial reduction of body temperature does not alleviate the condition, but worsens it, allowing the disease to intensify. At the same time, the immune system is deprived of the opportunity to produce antibodies, and if the disease recurs, the disease will quickly develop.

Question answer

What temperature is dangerous for a child? Answer:

above 38.5 - brain cells begin to die, the liver is overloaded;
caused by diseases - guaranteed to last a long time;
accompanied by convulsions and/or vomiting – convulsions can provoke cardiac or respiratory arrest, vomiting dehydrates;
accompanied by diarrhea - dehydration occurs.

What temperature should be lowered in a child? Regardless of the source, heat above 38.5 degrees is dangerous and needs to be reduced.

What temperature should be lowered for a child under one year old? In a baby, the fever caused by strong crying does not go away. Fever caused by diseases is reduced after reaching 38.5 degrees with antipyretics, along with the main therapy.

During teething, fever in a baby is not caused by the production of antibodies, but by the inflammatory process in the gums. If the baby is lethargic and capricious due to fever, you can give an antipyretic at 38 degrees. If the baby is in pain, they give a drug based on ibuprofen (Nurofen), which has an analgesic effect, regardless of the presence or absence of fever.

When should you lower your child's temperature? Answer:

when it reaches a critical level of 38.5 degrees and above;
when it rises sharply;
if there is night ahead, and the thermometer is already 38.

Is it necessary to bring down the temperature of 38 in children? 38 is not the extreme limit. If the increase in the indicator was not sharp, you can hold off on antipyretics. In individual cases, the body's sensitivity to heat is acute - convulsions, nausea and vomiting begin at 38 degrees. In this case, the fever is brought down earlier.

How many days can you lower your temperature? The recommended limit is 4 days. Taking antipyretics for 5 or more days puts a strain on the liver, but you shouldn’t let your child “burn.” If the fever does not go away for more than 5 days, antibiotics are prescribed or the patient is admitted to the department for constant monitoring of the course of the disease.

How often can you lower your temperature? The difference between taking antipyretics is at least 4 hours.

Is it necessary to lower a child’s temperature to between 37 and 38 degrees? No, because:

Up to 38 degrees, the body actively and independently copes with the disease. With this indicator, the baby will stay at home for 3 days, and on the 4th he will make a dramatic recovery - antibodies have been developed, the disease has been eradicated. If you intervene, the immune system will be disrupted, the microbes will attack and the disease will drag on for weeks.
When the bar reaches 37.5 degrees, there is almost no effect from antipyretics.

In exceptional cases, the doctor may prescribe antipyretics at 37.5-37.7 degrees.

Doctors do not recommend lowering the temperature to 38 degrees

How to lower the temperature correctly?

Regardless of the recommendations regarding what temperature should be brought down in a child, it is important to create an optimal microclimate in the room and conditions for recovery. In general, we are talking about the following points:

regular ventilation of the room (the influenza virus and many others are concentrated in stale air);
maintaining optimal humidity of 40-60% (in this case, the mucous membranes of the nose and larynx do not dry out, which improves the quality of local immunity and improves the patient’s condition);
drink plenty of fluids (virus breakdown products will be excreted through the kidneys through the urine, which will reduce the load on the body).

Elevated temperature can be brought down both with folk remedies and with medication. Proponents of the first option can use:

Rubbing a child with water at room temperature (NOT cold) has a short-term and insignificant effect. In fact, the heat returns within 30 minutes, so regular repetition of the procedure is required.
Making compresses from sauerkraut, which are applied to the veins located on the inner surface of the elbow, where they come close to the surface of the skin.
Cranberry juice, which is an excellent diaphoretic, automatically lowers the temperature. At the same time, the berry is useful for its vitamins, and drinking it accelerates the elimination of viruses and decay products in the urine. Cranberry juice has a beneficial effect on the immune system, which is why it is actively used in folk medicine.
Herbal tea from linden, which gives a good effect when drunk with honey, causing profuse sweating, which reduces temperature due to the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin.

We knock it down correctly

Methods for getting rid of fever during illness:

drink plenty of water;
stop factors that cause heating;
give an antipyretic;
open/replace the blanket with a sheet;
wipe extremities with warm water.

Continuously feeding your child antipyretics is a mistake. The correct approach to solving the problem is to stop the factors that cause heating.

In inflammatory processes, the child’s temperature is reduced by reducing the source of infection. Inflammations in the throat are relieved by gargling, spraying into the throat and taking anti-inflammatory drugs internally.

In case of viral diseases, viral activity is reduced by antiviral drugs and drinking plenty of fluids. If you have a runny nose with thick green snot, wash your nose with saline solution. The general idea is that if the immune system has nothing to fight against, its activity decreases.

A risky but effective method is to sweat. If the baby, being covered, begins to sweat, you can cover him more and allow the body to actively sweat. The risk is that it is very difficult to catch the moment of active sweating, and it is impossible to induce sweat by wrapping yourself up - this is a chemical reaction in the body. Trying will lead to fever. But there is a chance to seize the moment and relieve the fever naturally.

You can cover your baby so he can sweat

How to measure temperature

Several types of thermometers have been developed for infants.

Electronic

This device is safe to use, but it does not always provide accurate temperature readings. There are errors of half a degree. When the measurement is completed, the thermometer emits a light or sound signal.

Mercury

This device gives the most accurate readings. Heating and expansion of the mercury ball occurs under the influence of high temperature, and then slowly cools. The disadvantage of a thermometer is that it is easy to break. The baby can chew it, and mercury is toxic.

Infrared dummy thermometer

It is used for tactile temperature measurement. Simply press it to your forehead or hold it in your ear. The obtained indicators may be overestimated by half a degree.

Important In Russian cities, the main thermometer is mercury. This is somewhat reminiscent of a tradition passed down from generation to generation. The main thing is that the device shows accurate data.

Heat

What to do if the fever reaches 39 degrees or higher? Parent actions:

Do not increase the permissible dose of antipyretics.
Uncover and undress the child.
Use a cloth soaked in warm water to wipe your hands, legs and feet.
Give me something to drink. If he refuses, offer him a straw. The easiest way to give children under 5 years of age a drink, despite their whims, is through a syringe from Nurofen.
It is not recommended to use vinegar or vodka on persons under 11 years of age - the skin is very delicate, irritation will occur, and chemical burns may form.
If convulsions begin, confusion occurs, or the fever continues to rise despite taking medications, you should immediately call an ambulance.

The compress is not applied to the head of newborns - it can cause an increase in fever. Do not apply a wet, cold cloth to a newborn's head - meningitis may occur. You can only wipe your face and forehead.

What antipyretics should I use?

It is recommended to bring down a child’s temperature with two drugs, with different main active ingredients.

The first base is ibuprofen, the second is paracetamol. Taking medications one at a time is more effective in reducing fever.

The candles act slowly, but for a long time. They are placed:

at night - the exposure time of the drug increases, and the mother can sleep;
if it is impossible to take an antipyretic orally.

How to give antipyretics? Taking antipyretics is not associated with food intake. The dosage does not depend on age, but on weight. The instructions for the drug include a table with weight/age and the corresponding dosage.

It is not recommended to exceed the single/daily dosage - side effects or allergic reactions may occur.

What to do if the temperature is greatly reduced? Indicators below 36.6 degrees, up to 34 are considered a natural reaction of the body. After a high jump and an active fight against the disease, the body weakens and needs time to recover. If there are no other suspicious symptoms (lack of appetite, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, cramps, etc.), it is enough to supply the body with vitamins and give time for recovery.

How to reduce the temperature of an infant using medication?

Antipyretic drugs are a whole class of drugs.

Ibuprofen series:

Nurofen (suppositories, syrup);
Ibuprofen.

Paracetamol series:

Panadol;
Calpol;
Efferalgan;
Cefekon.

Rules for taking antipyretics

No more than 4 times a day. There is a danger of overdose and the risk of missing an infection.
No more than 5 days.

Antipyretic drugs have been used since 1971, when the work of J. Wayne first proved their effect on the enzyme, which is activated against the background of inflammation and provokes fever.

Paracetamol does not affect the gastric mucosa and respiratory center, does not disturb the acid-base balance.

Its effect begins within 30-60 minutes and lasts up to four hours.

WHO recommends Paracetamol as the first choice drug for children with fever. The dosage of Paracetamol is calculated from the ratio of 10 - 15 mg/kg. A single dose is also calculated for any drug containing paracetamol.

Vaccinations

Children under 3 years of age receive regular vaccinations. Fever or fever after vaccination is a natural reaction of the body. At this time, antibodies are produced to viral strains, creating immunity.

Attention! The most severe reaction is observed after complex vaccination with DTP (whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus).

It is whooping cough that provokes fever, including severe allergic reactions. When to lower the temperature after vaccinations? After vaccination with stamps of viruses that cause fever, pediatricians recommend that mothers be given antipyretics immediately upon arriving home, rather than waiting for a surge. In some cases, antihistamines are prescribed in advance to avoid a reaction in the form of fever. Useful video: what temperature should you lower?

It is necessary to reduce temperature readings depending on the causes and symptoms. The individual reaction of the body should be taken into account, and an overdose of antipyretic drugs should be avoided.

Causes

The center that is part of the central nervous system is responsible for the process of thermoregulation. Fever is a symptom, not an independent disease.

Fevers are divided into 2 types:

infectious: caused by bacteria and viruses entering the body;
non-infectious: a huge number of factors influence its occurrence (endocrine diseases, neuroses, increased physical and emotional activity, etc.).

In young children, fever may signal teething.

The reason for the increase in temperature may be a reaction to the vaccine. It can occur as the body’s response to the introduction of a vaccine, and the beginning of the formation of immunity. If after vaccination the fever is moderate, then there is no need to bring it down. If the thermometer shows more than 38, then you may need to take an antipyretic drug.

Important! For children, a temperature of 38.5 degrees or a temperature of 37.5-38 degrees that lasts for several days is considered elevated. In such cases, the child’s body needs help.

If a child under one year old has a fever - when should you call the doctor?

Consultation is necessary if it rises above 37.5 degrees. Indications for an immediate meeting with a pediatrician are:

baby born prematurely
fever rose after vaccination
baby cries when touched or hugged
experiencing breathing problems
skin rashes appeared
febrile seizures
diarrhea or vomiting
disturbances of consciousness (hallucinations, fainting)
weakness, drowsiness, or excessive agitation
dehydration - crying without tears, urine is dark yellow, no saliva in the mouth.

Underestimating the rise in temperature is a big mistake. The baby’s body’s reaction to illness is unpredictable, so it’s better to visit the clinic one more time than to regret the lost time later.

Recommendations and rules

A child's temperature needs to be measured:

When he is calm.
Some time has passed since the active games.
Not immediately after eating.
Not immediately after sleep.
Not immediately after swimming.
Not immediately after the massage.

If a baby’s temperature constantly stays at 37.2 degrees, most likely this is an individual characteristic of his body. If the baby is active, cheerful and cheerful, no action needs to be taken. But if the thermometer shows more than 37.5 degrees, this is a reason to call a pediatrician. If the temperature rises to 38 degrees or higher, you need to call an ambulance.

You can measure indicators for young children:

Rectally.
Oral.
In the armpit.
Use an infrared thermometer for a few seconds near any large vessel.

Rectal readings are normally several tenths of a degree higher than those measured in the armpit and even orally.

Doctors' advice on what temperature should be brought down in a child. Reasons for rising temperature

All parents worry about their child and want him to grow up healthy. We often encounter problems related to the health and immunity of the baby.

Nowadays, not a single toddler is immune from common colds and serious illnesses. And one of the first signs of a cold is fever. But is this a reason to panic in all cases?

What does a child's temperature indicate?

We will analyze all possible options for the appearance of a temperature in a child and decide in which cases it is worth bringing it down. As you know, a baby’s normal temperature should not exceed 37 degrees. However, this does not apply to a number of cases where exceeding this norm is a problem.

When a child has a cold, his body and immune system fight viruses and bacteria. This is where the temperature rises so that the body can kill the bacteria.

Read why constipation occurs in a 2-year-old child, what to do in such cases?

About the drug Linkas for children, indications and contraindications, reviews from parents, see here.

See here how to develop a child at 4 months, how to feed him, how much to walk.

Temperature with viruses

If the thermometer shows 37 degrees or higher, you should examine the baby:

If your child is under two months of age and you notice a fever, call your doctor. There is no point in lowering the temperature on your own. At this age, babies cannot regulate body heat, so some antipyretic medications can cause complications. Otherwise, cramps may occur.
If the baby sneezes and coughs, it is necessary to ventilate the room to 21 degrees. If possible, do wet cleaning. Children often react sharply to dust and dirt. If after cleaning the child’s temperature does not drop and the sneezing continues, make an appointment with your family doctor for a consultation. In this case, you should not lower your temperature without a doctor’s examination.

These two points relate to the child’s condition in which whims, severe crying and trembling in the limbs are not noticed. Fever in children under one year of age is considered when the thermometer shows above 37.5 degrees. In such cases, there is no point in waiting for a doctor; you need to act on your own.

Important! It is strictly forbidden for children to be given analgin and aspirin at elevated body temperatures. These medications may cause side effects and lead to Reye's syndrome. In some severe cases, before the doctor arrives, you can give the child paracetamol with breast milk or syrup.

Even if your child is one year old, there are contraindications for more medications. In such cases, if the child has a temperature above 37 degrees, you can give tea with raspberries and honey. The latter is recommended for children who are not allergic to honey.

Additionally, you should cool the room to 19-20 degrees where the child is lying. This will allow the body to return to normal within a few hours. During this time, you can call a doctor or wait for an ambulance.

If the temperature persists for more than three days, it is necessary to take measures to reduce the temperature with medication.

Every child should be vaccinated. The time of the procedure is determined only by the doctor. You can get vaccinations during the first year of life in different months. However, not everyone can avoid DTP vaccination. Every parent fears for their baby, because after such a complex of viruses, children often get sick and experience fever differently.

DTP vaccination is not dangerous if the child has no contraindications to it. Fever after vaccination is normal if:

The temperature lasts no more than three days
The child eats and sleeps normally. The sleep is not superficial, and the stool is not abnormal
The child’s mood is cheerful, and his health is not depressed and elated
The temperature did not rise to 38 degrees

But there are reasons that indicate that medical intervention is not necessary. Some children have a hard time with vaccinations. The consequences are an increase in temperature to 38-39 degrees and a fever duration of over 4 days.

In such circumstances, you should immediately contact an ambulance, as the doctor may prescribe mild antipyretics. The happy point in this matter is the duration of the vaccination – no more than two weeks. However, if measures are not taken in time, the consequences can complicate the effect of the vaccine and reduce the child’s immunity for life.

Usually, parents do not consider it necessary to reduce the temperature, which is slightly higher than usual. But is this true in all situations? The dilemma is tormented - we do not touch a low temperature, because it helps fight viruses, but a high temperature must be brought down - it has a detrimental effect on the child’s well-being and his body.

It is necessary to bring down the temperature in circumstances when the child is crying, and the thermometer in a calm state of the baby showed 39 degrees or higher. Remember that body heat should be measured in the armpit. Antipyretics are also given in cases where the child cannot tolerate heat even at 37 degrees. These are rare cases, but they do occur, and one cannot help but talk about them.

Also, if the baby has difficulty breathing, it is necessary to give an antipyretic drug, even if the temperature is low and has not reached 38 degrees.

As a rule, medications are prescribed by the doctor himself. Sometimes we cannot use advice and we need to act immediately.

How to bring down a high temperature?

If you resort to methods without drugs, it is easy to bring down the temperature. It is necessary to ventilate and cool the room, drink a lot and eat little, do not allow the child to run and jump, only sit or lie down.

If there are no chills, undress the child and cover the legs with a sheet or cotton diaper. Rubbing should not be done, as this will lead to vasospasm.

When using medications, remember that analgin is contraindicated for children under 15 years of age. You can use ibuprofen, it has both antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Important! Do not cover the child with a cold towel and do not wipe with vinegar. Do not bathe your child in cool water after vaccination. Never let your child lie down for more than 15 minutes at a time. It is advisable to play with the child as much as possible at elevated temperatures and entertain him with toys and walks around the house.

When acute infections occur, the child’s temperature rises instantly. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain and severe crying. In case of infectious diseases, call an ambulance!

The temperature must be brought down immediately. Medicines act in such cases within the first 20-30 minutes. This will give parents additional time before the ambulance arrives. Remember that strong medicine should not be given again within 24 hours. It is necessary to reduce the concentration of the drug or replace it with a lighter one.

Fever in newborns

Fever in very young children can be caused by a cold or heat. If there is high humidity in the room, and the thermometer outside the window does not drop below 27 degrees, it is enough to simply undress the baby to one layer of clothing.

As a rule, in newborn children, body regulation is not yet perfect, so there is no need to panic because of a temperature of 37 degrees. In the first month of life, the mark can rise to 37.7 - and this is the norm. To alleviate the child’s condition, it is enough to give him 5-10 ml of boiled water at room temperature.

If you notice tremors in your child's hands and chin, consult a doctor.

But in most cases, this only indicates the baby’s needs - he is hot, cold, wants to sleep or eat. At this age, babies learn everything through crying.

Therefore, there is no need to frantically sit next to him with a thermometer.

Here are basic recommendations that will help you avoid serious consequences from a cold or other illnesses.

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Causes of fever

It is not always necessary to bring down a baby’s temperature, especially with medication. Much depends on the cause of the phenomenon. She may have:

Non-infectious.
Infectious nature.

In any case, you need to try to find out the reason for the increased numbers.

Non-infectious

There are many factors contributing to the rise in temperature. The main ones include:

Overheat.
Teething (possible rise to febrile levels).
Allergy (usually the numbers remain at low-grade levels).
Routine vaccination.
Stress.
Dehydration (may occur with protein complementary foods and lack of fluid in the body).
Damage to the central nervous system.

If the baby overheats, it is enough to undress. If dehydrated, provide sufficient water.

During the vaccination period, pediatricians recommend giving children antihistamines (Erius) and stocking up on antipyretic drugs.

When the temperature rises to 38 degrees, it is not knocked down. For higher numbers, you can use rectal suppositories with an antipyretic effect, but be sure to call a doctor.

If you have an allergy, you should contact a specialist of the appropriate profile. It will help identify the source (as a rule, children under one year old react to foods) that will need to be excluded from the diet. Antihistamines help combat the symptoms of an allergic reaction in children.

Infectious

With some intestinal infections, the first sign of a developing disease is fever. However, in a child, almost any illness begins with high numbers on the thermometer. It indicates that the body is actively fighting the pathogen.

If, against the background of catarrhal symptoms, bowel disorders, the baby has a low-grade fever for a long time, this is a cause for concern. The immune system is weakened and does not provide adequate resistance to the harmful agent.

Infections normally occur with high numbers on the thermometer. But you need to lower the temperature only when it reaches above 38 degrees and in some special situations.

Signs of a fever

Even the most caring parents do not measure their child’s temperature every day. And there is no need for this. But since a baby cannot complain about his condition in the first months of life, it is important for parents to know not only how to bring down the baby’s temperature, but also how to suspect that it is rising.

If the baby has diarrhea or vomiting, the nose is stuffy and secretions are abundant, the baby is breathing heavily and hoarsely, every parent will guess that measures need to be taken. And first of all, measure the temperature readings. But the disease does not always begin with them. It makes sense to check temperature readings if an infant:

Refuses to play.
Doesn't want to eat.
The baby begins to behave unusually.
Whimpers or cries.
Doesn't sleep well.
His face became flushed.
And the skin feels hotter than usual.

Even if the thermometer does not immediately show high numbers, after some time the procedure must be repeated.

Sometimes an increase in body temperature begins later than the baby begins to feel general malaise. These are signs of the so-called red fever. But another scenario is also possible. A small person develops white fever. This is a more dangerous condition; it often leads to seizures and death of the baby. The symptoms of this condition are as follows:

Icy limbs and a hot head.
Apathy, lethargy, weakness.
Whitening of the skin.
Acrocyanosis (blueness of the nasolabial triangle and nail area).

Emergency measures in such situations are antipyretics and antispasmodics in permitted dosages.

In addition, the baby’s limbs must be warmed. You can rub them and put on warm socks.

Rules for measuring temperature in infants

When using a mercury or electronic thermometer to take measurements in the armpit, it is important to ensure that the child holds the handle tightly against the body for five minutes before meeting the thermometer, so that the temperature of the skin of the armpit is equal in value to that of the internal organs. After this, you can set the thermometer for 5 minutes.

Important! The skin in the armpit must be dry before measurement, so it should be wiped with a tissue.

A child who can sit and listen to a fairy tale or watch a cartoon can be placed on her lap by her mother to sit together for 10 minutes in an embrace: the first 5 minutes without a thermometer, the next 5 minutes with a measuring device.

When using electronic thermometers, it is important to remember that the sound signal is not a reason to take readings and stop measuring. A squeak is a signal that the device gives not when it has finished taking readings, but when the values begin to change more slowly. In other words, when the device is just installed in the armpit, the values rapidly rise from 30˚C to 36˚C -37˚C, after which the increase in values becomes slow and the device makes a sound, but after that you need to continue holding it for at least 2 minutes , then the readings will be reliable.

To correctly establish the dynamics of hyperthermia, readings should be measured in the same place, with the same device. You cannot compare the readings obtained with a mercury thermometer placed in the armpit with what an electronic pacifier-thermometer will show an hour later.

Why is fever dangerous?

If the thermometer readings are high, the child should not be left alone. If the baby calms down after taking the antipyretic, then the parents’ actions were correct. Now the baby needs rest and plenty of fluids.

If vomiting begins, you need to put it on its side and carefully monitor that the vomit does not enter the baby’s respiratory tract. If the doctor cannot quickly visit a small patient, and his condition worsens, you should not hesitate to call “Emergency”. At an early age and not only high numbers on the thermometer are dangerous to human health and life:

Pyretic temperature (39–41 degrees) threatens serious disruption of the heart and blood vessels, and convulsions.
Figures at 41 degrees and above threaten irreversible disruption of the functioning of brain structures.
At temperatures above 42 degrees, protein denaturation begins, the blood “coagulates” and the person dies.

In the first year of life, temperatures can change from high to very high in a very short period of time. This cannot be allowed. Parents are required to be vigilant and able to react quickly.

Non-drug treatments

How to bring down the temperature in a newborn and baby? If the numbers on the thermometer are high, it is recommended to start fighting it with non-drug measures:

The baby needs to be undressed, provided with air baths (if the apartment is not cold), but socks must be left on his feet.
The baby should be in a well-ventilated area.
You can place a cool compress on your baby's forehead and wrists, or completely wipe the body with water at room temperature.
Provide plenty of fluids.

A 1-year-old baby should not be given vinegar, semi-alcohol or alcohol rubdowns. This may cause seizures.

Normal body temperature

Normal body temperature, as many experts note, mainly depends on age and time of day.

Let's consider the values of the upper limit of normal body temperature in people of different ages, if measured under the arm:

- normal temperature in newborns: 36.8 ° C; - normal temperature in 6 month old babies: 37.4 ° C; - normal temperature in 1 year old children: 37.4 ° C; - normal temperature in 3 year old children: 37. 4°C;—normal temperature in 6 year old children:

If you measure the temperature not under the arms, then the readings of the thermometer (thermometer) will differ:

- in the mouth - more by 0.3-0.6°C; - in the ear cavity - more by 0.6-1.2°C; - in the rectum - more by 0.6-1.2°C.

It is worth noting that the above data are based on a study of 90% of patients, but at the same time, 10% have a body temperature that differs up or down, and at the same time, they are absolutely healthy. In such cases, this is also the norm for them.

In general, temperature fluctuations up or down from the norm by more than 0.5-1.5 ° C are a reaction to any disturbances in the functioning of the body. In other words, this is a sign that the body recognized the disease and began to fight it.

If you want to know the exact indicator of your normal temperature, consult your doctor. If this is not possible, then do it yourself. To do this, you need to take temperature measurements over several days, when you feel great, in the morning, afternoon and evening. Write down the thermometer readings in your notebook.

Three degrees, three distinctions

There are three degrees of fever:

subfebrile (37.2–38 °C)
febrile (38–39.1 °C)
hyperthermic (39.1 °C and above).

A body temperature of 37–37.1 °C is considered normal for young children, and up to three years of age you can completely ignore it.

Reducing the temperature becomes relevant when it reaches the hyperthermic degree or approaches it. Whether a child's temperature needs to be brought down above 38.5 °C depends on his condition, since it does not necessarily correspond to the readings of the thermometer. If a sick child does not feel very bad and is quite cheerful, then there is no need to lower the temperature - you just need to monitor how he feels. For a child who cannot tolerate high fever, you need to find a way to reduce it.

To reduce your temperature, it is not necessary to immediately resort to antipyretic medications.

First you need to undress the child (sometimes the temperature can rise by 1-2 degrees simply because the child is wrapped up). If this is a baby, make sure that he is not wearing a diaper - this item is absolutely incompatible with elevated body temperature.

You can try wiping with warm water with the addition of 9% vinegar (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water).

It is good to give the child a 10-minute bath, preferably with his head, and then, without drying, wrap him in a sheet or towel and bring him to a ventilated room. However, during water procedures and rubdowns, it is important that the water temperature is no more than 1 degree below body temperature - otherwise the strong contrast can cause vasospasm. And - attention! – if a child’s fever is accompanied by chills, he should not be bathed or dried.

During a fever, drinking regimen is important. Infants can be breastfed unlimitedly, and it is useful for older children to drink slightly acidified water, as well as to give natural diaphoretics: linden or raspberry decoction with honey. Sweating also has an antipyretic effect. A sweaty child should be changed into dry clothes, but not dried.

If there is a need for an antipyretic drug, then medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are allowed for children. More “adult” drugs can be harmful, of which aspirin is especially dangerous, which is generally prohibited for use in children by the World Health Organization.

In rare cases, when ordinary antipyretics do not help, you have to call an ambulance. The arriving team will give the child an injection of a lytic mixture (analgin-papaverine-diphenhydramine), but this, of course, is a last resort.

Among people prone to self-medication, and, unfortunately, even among some doctors, there are supporters of the unjustified use of antibiotics, including as an antipyretic. This is a harmful misconception: antibiotics have their own special indications for use and an increase in temperature is not such an indication. Antibiotics are designed to treat bacterial infections and are not only useless for viral diseases, but also contraindicated.

What temperature should be brought down in a child - updated 03.19

An increase in a child’s temperature occurs when protective functions are triggered that respond to the occurrence of an infection in the body. When the temperature rises to 37 °C, many viruses and bacteria die, at which time the immune system works more actively.

The center, which is part of the central nervous system, is responsible for thermoregulation in the body. High temperature is not an individual disease, but a symptom.

Causes of fever

The following types of fever are distinguished:

1- infectious – occurs when various viruses and bacteria enter the body;

2- non-infectious – occurs during neuroses, physical activity, after vaccination and due to other reasons.

Fever can be white or red. If the baby is lethargic, the heartbeat and breathing are rapid, the arms and legs are cold, these are symptoms of white fever. It occurs due to vasospasm, you need to quickly rub the child, which will bring the blood vessels back to normal, and then begin to bring down the temperature.

Basically, the disease in a child begins with an increase, and other signs appear later, so fever is more of a good sign than a bad one. An increase in temperature indicates strong immunity, and a special decrease in temperature weakens the defense, so there is no need to bring it down without important reasons.

There are three degrees of fever:

subfebrile (temperature fluctuations from 37.2 to 38 °C);
febrile (from 38 to 39.1 °C);
hyperthermic (from 39.1 °C and more).

If small children under three years of age have a body temperature of 37, 37, 1 °C, then this is considered normal and you should not pay attention to it.

Hyperthermic temperature can occur in an infant for the following reasons:

if the baby is teething;
when the child has eaten too much;
during colic;
if the baby is hot;
when a child cries and screams;
after vaccination;
if the child bathed in too hot water.

What temperature should be lowered in a child?

Most doctors, under the guidance of the World Health Organization, do not advise artificially lowering the temperature if it is below 38.5 °C.

What temperature should be lowered:

if convulsions appear;
the temperature stays around 38 °C for more than three days;
there was a loss of consciousness, or a large loss of fluid (diarrhea, vomiting appeared, in this case you need to call an ambulance);
your health has deteriorated significantly (chills, pale skin color, freezing limbs - this is a sign of a pre-convulsive state);
for heart disease;
in infants up to two months of age (their disease develops very quickly and unpredictably, convulsions are possible).

Temperature fluctuations from 39 to 41 °C pose a threat to the life of a small person. If fever is present for a long time, it can negatively affect the nervous, cardiovascular systems, and kidneys.

The water-salt balance deteriorates, dehydration and energy depletion occur. In extreme cases, cerebral edema, hypoxia, decreased blood pressure, and increased blood viscosity may occur.

A body temperature of about 41 °C or more is deadly in infancy.

What temperature should be lowered for a child under one year old?

For infants, the temperature of 38.5 °C cannot be brought down with the help of medications, but you need to look at the baby’s behavior.

When is it necessary to reduce a child’s temperature? If it has increased to 37.5 °C, and he has an excellent appetite, good mood, normal stool, then this is considered acceptable at that age, unless it is always at this level.

The thermometer shows 38 °C, which means that the small organism is fighting the infection. As a rule, children eat well during this period, play well, and their arms and legs are warm. Kids tolerate it well, so there is no need to worry, but you need to give them more to drink.

If the thermometer shows 39 °C, the baby is lethargic, whiny, with difficulty breathing, and poor appetite. In such cases, convulsions are possible; the baby should be given an antipyretic and, if possible, call a doctor.

Children who have previously had convulsions or were born prematurely or have some kind of illness need to bring the temperature down to 37.8 °C artificially.

All children are individual, and in order to make the right decision on what temperature needs to be lowered before the age of one year, parents need to feel the behavior of their baby. We must learn to recognize what causes it and to what extent it is dangerous. There is no need to immediately feed your child medications; you can try to improve your well-being in other ways.

How to reduce fever without antipyretics

First, it is advisable to remove excess clothes from the baby; often an increase in temperature by a couple of degrees occurs due to the fact that the child is hot and has a lot of excess clothes on. It is imperative to remove the diaper; at elevated temperatures this is an unnecessary thing.

Air baths. The room where the child is located should be well ventilated, with a temperature of 20–21 °C. Air baths have a beneficial effect on infants and quickly help restore the desired body temperature.

Water procedures. Bathe the child for ten minutes in water, the temperature of which will be one degree less than the baby’s body temperature, otherwise, if the temperature difference is greater, vasospasm may occur - this is very important. After water procedures, wrap the child in a towel and take it to a well-ventilated room. Older children can be wrapped in a damp sheet.

Rubbing with warm water and vinegar helps a lot, at the rate of one tablespoon of 9% vinegar per liter of water. You need to pay attention to whether there is fever, chills, whether the child’s body has a marble tint; if these signs are present, then wiping and bathing should not be performed. In these cases, immediately rub the child with a dry towel, wrap him up and give him hot tea.

With the intention of removing a fever, you do not need to immediately give antipyretic drugs. The most important component in the fight against high temperature is the drinking regime.

Babies should be put to the breast more often, and older children should be given water, raspberry or linden tea with honey, compote. Various warm drinks will be beneficial. Good sweating is a sign that the fever is going away.

If you sweat without wiping it off, be sure to put on other clothes.

If these measures do not bring results or the child has too high a temperature, antipyretic drugs should be used.

Medicines for high fever

If there is a need for an antipyretic drug, then doctors prescribe for children:

- Paracetamol and drugs based on it (Panadol, Efferalgan) - relieves fever and pain. Children under six years old can take no more than three days, and after six years - no more than five days;

— Ibuprofen (Nurofen) – lowers temperature, relieves pain and inflammation. Babies under six months old are not allowed to take it. There are no restrictions on the duration of use; you can take it for five days or more.

The medications listed in the list can be taken no more than three times a day.

Antipyretic drugs can be in the form of tablets, syrups, suppositories. Children under three years of age are more often prescribed rectal suppositories that do not harm the digestive organs. And they will also come in handy if the baby has a sore throat and does not want to take bitter pills.

Medicines in the form of tablets and syrups are recommended for older children who already understand that taking medicine will bring relief.

Children should not use a drug such as Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), as it is prohibited by the World Health Organization and can harm the child’s body. Aspirin provokes the onset of serious diseases of the brain, liver, and bleeding in the intestines may occur. In extreme cases, ingestion of Aspirin into a child's body can be fatal.

Sometimes, when the recommended antipyretics are powerless, you need to call an ambulance. Doctors will help the baby by giving an injection of a lytic mixture, which includes: analgin, diphenhydramine, papaverine. But this is only in rare cases.

Among parents who self-medicate, there are fans of needlessly taking antibiotics, even in the form of an antipyretic. Antibiotics are designed to fight bacterial infections, but for viruses they are useless and harmful. Using them is a huge mistake; antibiotics have their own functions, but lowering the temperature is not such a function.

Fever needs to be eliminated only if it brings discomfort or suffering to the baby. Adults should know that what makes their baby sick is an infection or a virus, but a low temperature that fights antibodies that try to harm the body.

Harm from taking antipyretics

During this period, interferon is not produced, which is essential to fight viruses. Side effects may include complications on the liver, kidneys, stomach, and heart. There is a possibility of an allergic reaction in the form of burning and swelling.

A temporary improvement in well-being may not be true; it may hide one of the complications of ARVI - pneumonia.

Taking medications has not only benefits, but also harmful effects on the child’s body.

Cases when you need to call an ambulance or a doctor

when the child’s body temperature is above 39 °C;
if the baby has a fever for more than three days;
if after antipyretics the body temperature does not subside;
at 38 °C in a newborn up to three months old;
at a high temperature of a baby who has a heart defect, diseases of the nervous system;
if you have already had convulsions;
vomiting, diarrhea, heavy breathing, general lethargy appeared - this is not characteristic of a common cold;
if poisoning is suspected.

If a child has a disease such as diabetes, it is prohibited to make decisions independently. Everything should be on the recommendation of a doctor; any uncontrolled use of medications can lead to death.

You should immediately go to the hospital if your child has not gone to the toilet for more than six hours - this is a sign of dehydration, which can lead to blood thickening.

As a result, in order to make the right decision, it is necessary to assess the severity of the disease and the condition of the baby. It is sometimes very difficult to do this on your own, so there is no need to self-medicate, but it is better to always turn to specialists.

Hyperthermia without cold symptoms

If the fever appears due to the eruption of baby teeth, this condition is not dangerous. You can try to do without antipyretics. For example, wiping the child’s body with a moistened sponge or sanitary napkin helps a lot. Moisturizing the skin helps eliminate fever. Remove the baby's diaper - this is an additional source of body overheating.

If the fever appears due to overwork of the baby or overheating of the body, antipyretics should not be used either. Try moisturizing the skin with wipes or bathing your baby in a warm (not hot) shower. If you have a fever after vaccination, do you need to lower it? Fever after vaccination indicates the activity of immune cells, which means the development of immunity.

Note! Hyperthermia within 38-39 degrees is acceptable if the baby feels well.

Dysbacteriosis, intestinal infections and viruses always cause heat in the body. Until the doctor arrives on call, keep an eye on the child. If his condition is alarming, give him an antipyretic suppository or medicinal syrup (Panadol). If you have diarrhea, you should not use candles. Diarrhea along with vomiting requires hospitalization in a hospital, so before the ambulance arrives, prepare the necessary things for the hospital.