We all have had a fever one time or another, and if you are a parent, you are likely to have seen your children have it too. It seems to be a common part of life, but just what causes a fever and how is it treated? While generally speaking, this is not dangerous and you can simply "sick it out", it is important that you know how to recognize when it has become an indication of a bigger problem so that you can seek treatment.
The body's normal temperature usually ranges between 96.8F (36C) and 98.6F (37C), and a fever means that your body's temperature is above 99.5F (37.5C). Usually, this will be present for a few days, and you should measure it using the appropriate equipment. The best equipment is the tympanic or ear thermometer, although color-changing strips can be more beneficial for small babies. Mercury thermometers, which were popular in the past, are no longer used. This is because mercury is highly toxic and there is the possibility that the thermometer could break and release its mercury content.
So what causes a fever and how is it treated? First, it is vital to understand that a fever is not an illness. Rather, it is a natural response to an illness, caused by your body fighting it off. The hypothalamus, an area of the brain, increases the body's temperature to make it harder for the bacteria or viruses to survive.
Some of the most common causes of a fever are:
– Routine vaccinations
– Cancer
– Side effects of drugs
– Inflammatory conditions
– Infections of the kidney, bladder, throat, skin, lung, or ear
– Gastroenteritis stomach bugs
– Colds and flu
– Infectious diseases such as malaria
– Consumption of illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines
– Hyperthyroidism or other hormone disorder
– Inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases
– Pulmonary embolism or blood clot
Having a fever is usually not dangerous. However, if the temperature reaches 102F (38.9C) or higher in children, it can lead to fever fits and hallucinations, which can be frightening. If you witness this in your children and you cannot get their temperature down, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. But oftentimes, simply providing the children with ibuprofen or paracetamol, at a dosage appropriate to their age, is all that is needed. Just make sure not to give aspirin to a child under 19 as this has been linked to the development of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but possibly fatal disease.
Other things to do in case of a fever include:
– Drinking plenty of fluids. Popsicles and drinks help as well.
– Not getting too warm by wearing too many clothes or using heavy blankets. "Sweating the fever out" does not work and can be dangerous.
– Keeping the temperature of the room at a comfortable level and opening the window for fresh air.
– Resting in bed.
The most important thing is that the fever is monitored, and that medical advice is sought if warning signs of something more serious are present. This is particularly true for babies and young children, for whom it is more difficult to fight off diseases.
If you need more information on what causes a fever and how is it treated, make sure to consult with a doctor.