My child has fever From when to the doctor?

If the child has a fever - when it's time for the doctor
Children get fever much more often than adults. Parents are worried when the kids whine with their hot, reddened face and tired eyes. Especially with a baby under three months you should then quickly to the doctor. For older children, home remedies for fever can sometimes help.

Babies with a fever quickly to the doctor
If babies under three months have a fever, parents should always go to the doctor with a body temperature of 38 degrees. According to health experts, one should measure the temperature in babies in the buttocks, since deviations are more likely at other parts of the body. Children between half and two years of age with elevated temperature for more than one day should also be taken to the pediatrician. This has recommended the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ).

When is fever dangerous for children? Image: Kaspars Grinvalds - fotolia

Body temperature fluctuates during the day
With older children, parents go to fever for a period of three days, or if the child is worse, to the doctor. And also when other symptoms such as a stiff neck, unusual behavior, difficult breathing, febrile convulsion or a bulge of the fontanelle are added or the child is difficult to wake up. During the day, the body temperature fluctuates: in the evening, it is usually about 0.5 degrees higher than in the morning. Having a higher temperature does not always require infection. Even a warm bath, too warm clothing, a thick blanket or romping can increase it temporarily. In general, children and babies are reported to have fever at a body temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius.

Ensure sufficient fluid
When a child has a real fever, parents should make sure that it stays in bed and gets enough to drink. According to BVKJ "the fluid requirement increases by 10 to 15 percent at any degree above normal body temperature". Often help can also be "proven home remedies such as chicken or vegetable broth as well as wraps and envelopes." Fever itself is not a disease, but a protective mechanism of the body: at a higher body temperature, viruses and bacteria can multiply worse. However, high fever - a body temperature of more than 39 degrees - is a major burden on the body and may limit its functions. (Ad)