What counts as a fever?
A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is usually considered a fever. The number on the thermometer matters less than how the child looks and behaves. A child who plays and drinks well with a fever is usually less worrying than a child who is limp and drowsy with a lower temperature.
Caring for a feverish child at home
- Give plenty of fluids — breast milk, water, oral rehydration solution
- Dress the child in light clothing
- Use fever medicine only in the dose advised by a doctor for the child's weight
- Let the child rest
- Check on the child regularly, including at night
Seek emergency care immediately if
- A baby under 3 months has any fever
- The child has a fit (convulsion)
- The child is very drowsy, difficult to wake, or confused
- Breathing is fast, noisy or the chest pulls in with each breath
- Lips or skin look bluish or very pale
- A rash that does not fade when pressed
- Stiff neck or bulging soft spot in a baby
- Signs of dehydration — no urine for many hours, very dry mouth, no tears
- Persistent vomiting or severe abdominal pain
See a paediatrician soon if
- Fever lasts more than three days
- The child keeps getting fevers
- Ear pain, sore throat, burning urine or cough with fever
- You are worried, even if you are not sure why
When a child needs intensive care
A small number of children with severe infections, breathing difficulty or other serious illnesses need intensive care. Smita Memorial Hospital unveiled the first Level 3 Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Idukki district. The 8-bed PICU is managed by trained paediatric intensivists with advanced paediatric ventilation and monitoring, 24×7.
The Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology is on the 2nd floor of the B-wing, with a Paediatric OPD for everyday illnesses, growth and development.
Febrile seizures
Some young children have a seizure when they have a high fever. These febrile seizures are frightening to watch but are usually brief. During a seizure, place the child on their side on a safe surface, do not put anything in the mouth, note the time and call for help. Every first seizure needs medical assessment, and any seizure lasting more than five minutes, or with difficulty breathing, is an emergency.
Preventing dehydration
- Offer small, frequent sips of fluid
- Continue breastfeeding
- Use oral rehydration solution if there is vomiting or diarrhoea
- Watch for fewer wet nappies, dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears or lethargy — these need a doctor
Common causes of fever in children
- Viral infections such as colds and flu — the most common cause
- Ear, throat and chest infections
- Urinary tract infections — may cause fever without obvious other signs
- Dengue and other monsoon fevers
- Vaccination — mild fever for a short time can be normal
The paediatrician examines the child and decides whether tests are needed. Smita Memorial Hospital's laboratory runs 24×7.
Medicines: what to know
- Use only the fever medicine and dose advised by your doctor for the child's weight
- Do not give aspirin to children
- Antibiotics do not help viral fevers — use them only when prescribed
- Keep all medicines out of reach of children
Specialists you can consult
Dr. Elizabeth Mary John
MBBS, MD Pediatrics, DNB Pediatrics, Fellowship Neonatology (IAP)
Dr. Lakshmi Prasad
MBBS, MD Pediatrics, DNB Pediatrics, IDEAL - ISPAE, Pediatric Dermatology IAP…
Frequently asked questions
What temperature is dangerous for a child?
How the child looks matters more than the number. Any fever in a baby under 3 months, or fever with fits, drowsiness or breathing difficulty, needs urgent care.
Does Smita Hospital have a children's ICU?
Yes. It unveiled the first Level 3 Paediatric ICU in Idukki district — an 8-bed unit with trained paediatric intensivists.
Should I sponge my child with cold water?
Avoid cold water or ice. Light clothing, fluids and doctor-advised fever medicine are recommended.
Where is the paediatric OPD?
On the 2nd floor of Smita Memorial Hospital. Book on +91 94961 43852.
Sources
- Pediatrics, smitahospital.com
- Critical Care, smitahospital.com
- Emergency Services, smitahospital.com
