Large deviations from the normal body temperature of 36 to 37 ° C
they can cause health risks. No wonder that the body
responds to a fever with a set of symptoms. The child is crying, he has
hot head and body, if he can speak - he complains about headaches and muscles.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are recommended for lowering fever in children
To adjust the body's thermostat, medications that can reduce fever are recommended. It is usually recommended for young children paracetamol or ibuprofen in suppositories or in syrup. Means of this type can be used by most children over the age of 6 months.
Warning against salicylates
For children up to 12 years, the above-mentioned acetaminophen, or ibuiprofen, is recommended, not acetylsalicylic acid. We avoid acetylsalicylic acid because it can contribute to the occurrence of so-called Reye's team. This disease, although rare, poses a threat to the child's life. It usually occurs several days after influenza or chickenpox, when the child is given acetylsalicylic acid to relieve symptoms and reduce fever.
Paracetamol - safe for children
For children who are under 12, especially for infants, we generally lower the fever with paracetamol. Paracetamol is very well tolerated by children if proper dosage is observed. The baby's liver "does not notice" this drug because it does not have enzymes that break down it. Thanks to this, paracetamol hardly ever changes to toxic substances in young children. Thus, the risk of liver damage in young children is negligible. (This measure may, however, be a poorly dosed dose, as well as get into the hands of a child without control and then cause nephritis, methemoglobinemia and non-myeloid anemia.) When used as directed by the leaflet or doctor's recommendations, adverse side effects are very rare (sometimes red skin, rash).
How do you dose paracetamol?
The drug should not be administered chronically, but limited to a few days (4-5) when the fever usually falls. If the fever does not go down, it is essential that you consult your doctor for further treatment. The correct dosage should be strictly followed. Strict medical supervision is required in small patients with liver or kidney disorders.
Medicinal properties of paracetamol
If the fever is caused by a cold or flu, paracetamol relieves headaches and throats as well as osteosarcomas associated with infection. It also helps babies during teething, when there is inflammation of the gums and increased secretion of prostaglandins causing severe pain. Its beneficial effects are felt after 30-60 minutes after administration and last for about 4 hours on a balanced, optimal for the body level.
ibuprofen
The feature of drugs with this medicinal substance is a long time of action. Using ibuprofen give the child only 3-4 doses within 24 hours (4 doses only for children aged 6-12 months). However, children under 6 months should not take ibuprofen without consulting a doctor. Ibuprofen has a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic and antipyretic effects. Works well in the symptomatic treatment of colds and flu, as it effectively relieves the symptoms of fever and headaches, muscles, joints, etc. In addition, ibuprofen helps in toothaches, rheumatic diseases, in pains associated with spinal overloads, as well as in pains post-traumatic and neuralgia. It is also effective in relieving menstrual discomfort, headaches and teeth.Although ibuprofen, like any preparation from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause stomach and duodenum ulceration - the risk is much lower than when using acetylsalicylic acid. Ibuprofen is one of the best-tolerated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The drug may, however, like all other agents in this group, increase the effect of the preparations that reduce clotting. Due to the good tolerability and the rarity of side effects, this drug is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Anti-rheumatic Union. Contraindications to taking ibuprofen are: active peptic ulcer, asthma and allergy.
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NATURAL TREATMENT AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Natural methods of reducing fever
Fever can be quickly lowered also by physical methods - i.e. natural, which, if used with common sense, are effective and harmless. The methods are particularly useful when medicines are unavailable or their effects are ineffective for some reason.
Chest wraps
A thick cotton towel or tetrowy diaper is dipped in warm water and squeezed. The wrap should then be straightened and placed on a dry towel of identical dimensions, put a child on it, wrap, cover lightly and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After this period, the treatment should be repeated.
Cooling bath
The child is placed in a tub full of water at a temperature of 1oC lower than the body temperature. Then, by allowing cold water, the temperature of the bath decreases to 32-30 ° C. This is a very effective method, however, it is a burden on the circulatory system and should therefore be used only when other methods fail and the patient's circulatory system is stable.
EYE ALARM It is urgent to call a physician when:
1. In a baby under 6 months of age, a high fever will appear
2. If a child above 1 year of high fever persists for 1-2 days
3. If the fever exceeds 40 ° C and does not decrease despite the use of antipyretics
4. When febrile seizures have occurred
5. When a child with a fever can not tilt his head forward (stiff neck)
6. If a child with high fever does not want to drink enough drinks
7. When the child has severe pain
What to expect from the doctor you are calling
The doctor should carefully examine the child to find the cause of the fever. It may be necessary to take a throat swab or a child's blood and urine test. Typically, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs that lower fever and soothe the accompanying symptoms. If he finds out that a bacterial infection has occurred, he can prescribe antibiotics
The principle of treatment of a disease causing a fever
There are frequent infectious diseases of infants and young children causing fever and other symptoms. (we have listed them at the outset). Detection of the disease that causes the fever and proper treatment usually leads to normalization of temperature. This approach implies the principle of simultaneous treatment of the disease causing the fever and symptoms of fever.
Attention to parents! Warning against allergy to antipyretics!
If you have ever noticed the coughing of your child after taking any of the painkillers and anti-inflammatories to reduce fever - paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. - discontinue the medicine and inform your doctor immediately. It is necessary to read the leaflet before giving the medicine to your child, and follow the instructions.
