Are These Symptoms Serious

Melind Stanfield

Informations

• Publié par: Shiom
• Nombre de lectures: 30
• Langue: English

Extrait

Canandaigua Medical Group

Fever Management
Adrienne Springer, CNP
June, 2001

Fever is the body’s normal response to infection. Fever is a symptom, not a disease. Fever
activates the body’s immune system. Keeping fever in perspective when your child has an elevated
temperature is very important.

oThe body’s average temperature when measured orally is 98.6 F, but it normally fluctuates widely
during the day. Your child has a fever if:

o• The rectal temp. is over 100.4 F.
o• The oral temp. is over 99.5 F.

oFevers up to 103.5 F are not harmful, and few of those higher result in anything more than
o odiscomfort. Fever between 100 - 106 F. will not cause brain damage or death. Fever causes no
o opermanent harm until it reaches 107 F. or higher. Fever over 107 F. are usually a result of
environmental heat overload or heat stroke (example: over dressing a child with a fever or leaving
oa child in a closed car). Fever caused by infection, even if untreated, stays below 107 F.

Fever may be catagorize as follows:
o o• Low Grades are 100 - 102 F.
o o• Moderate is 102 - 104 F.
o o• High is 104 - 105 F.
Generally, it is recommended that the child’s temperature be taken once a day in the morning until
the fever is gone. Feeling cold or shivering means the fever is going up. When the child appears
flushed or pink the fever has peaked. The fever generally is coming down when the child is
sweating.
oThe use of medication is recommended if the fever is over 102 F. and your child is uncomfortable.
They generally need repeat doses because the fever will go up and down until the illness runs its
course. The fever’s response or lack of response to the medication does not indicate the severity
of infection.
Refer to the Tylenol and Motrin dosage charts for the appropriate dose for your child (the
American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children age birth - 21 months
should not take aspirin for fever or any illness based on several studies that have linked
aspirin to Reye syndrome, a severe illness).
A febrile seizure is harmless and not a cause for medical concern. Febrile seizures do not cause
brain damage, lower IQ or learning disabilities. The risk of having a febrile seizure is extremely low
if your child has had high fever without seizures.

Other recommendations:
1. A tepid bath when necessary. Recommended to bathe the child only after giving Tylenol
o(except an emergency like heat stroke, febrile seizure, or fever over 106 F.). In other
ocases sponge your child if fever is still over 104 F. 30 minutes after giving Tylenol.
QUALITY CARE FOR ALL AGES 1

©Copyright Canandaigua Medical Group, 2004
335 Parrish Street · Canandaigua, NY 14424
[phone]
www.canandaiguamedical.com Canandaigua Medical Group

o o2. When sponging your child use lukewarm water (85 -90 F). Have your child sit in 2 inches
of water and keep wetting the skin surface over the whole body. Allow the water to
evaporate off the skin and head. This is the most effective way to cool the child. If your
child shivers, raise the water temperature or wait another 10 to 20 minutes for Tylenol to
take effect. Shivering will only raise the body temperature higher.
3. Encourage fluids. Due to sweating the body loses fluid. Encourage your child to drink extra
4. fluids, popsicle and iced drinks are helpful. Electrolytes only if vomiting! (Given in small
frequent amounts).
5. Dress your child in light clothing. Most heat is lost through the skin so keep clothing to a
minimum. Cover in a light blanket when your child feels cold or is shivering. Bundling the
child is not recommended, as it can cause a higher fever.

Call our office immediately if:
o1. Your child is 2 months or younger and rectal temp. is above 100.5 F.
o2. Your child is 3 months old or younger and rectal temp. is above 101 F.
o3. Your child’s fever is over 105 F.
4. Your child acts or looks very sick.

Call our office within 24 hours if:
o o1. The fever is 103.5 -105 F. especially if your child is under 2 years old.
2. Your child has a fever for over 24 hours and there is no obvious cause or location of
infection.
3. Your child has a history of febrile seizures.
4. as a fever for more than 3 days.
5. The fever was gone for 24 hours then returned.
6. Other questions or concerns arise.

How to take your child’s temperature:

Rectal
Rectal temperature is the most accurate and is the preferred method for children under 5 years old.
When taking a rectal temperature, the following steps are done:
1. Have your child lie on your lap - stomach down.
2. Apply petroleum jelly to the end of the thermometer, and the opening of the anus.
3. Insert thermometer 1 inch into the rectum (for 6 months old and younger, insert ¼-½until
the tip disappears). Never force the thermometer past any resistance.
4. Hold the child still while the thermometer stays in the rectum for 2 minutes.



QUALITY CARE FOR ALL AGES 2

©Copyright Canandaigua Medical Group, 2004
335 Parrish Street · Canandaigua, NY 14424
[phone]
www.canandaiguamedical.com Canandaigua Medical Group

Axillary
Axillary temperature if taken correctly is adequate for screening. When taking an axillary
temperature, the following steps are recommended.
1. Place the tip of the thermometer in the child’s dry armpit.
2. Hold the elbow close to the chest to close the armpit. Remove the thermometer after 6-8
minutes (no sooner, 11 is most accurate).
o3. If the infant is less than 3 months old and axillary temperature is over 99.0 F, check rectal
temperature.
4. If uncertain about the results, check a rectal temperature.

Oral
You can use Oral temperature for children 5 years and older. When taking an oral temperature, the
following steps are recommended.
1. Place the tip of the thermometer under one side of the tongue and toward the back. An
accurate temperature depends on placement. Be sure the child has not had any hot or cold
drinks in the last 30 minutes.
2. Have your child breath through their nose and hold the thermometer with fingers and lips
(not teeth) keeping the mouth closed.
3. Have the thermometer in place for 3 minutes.

Thermometers

Glass (Mercury - cost $ 5.00) 2 forms:
• Oral with a thin tip
• Rectal with a fat tip
If needed, you can use the oral thermometer for rectal temperature and the rectal
thermometer for use or oral temp. with care and careful cleaning.
Digital (cost $ 10.00)
They measure quickly, 30 seconds by using a heat sensor (they run on a button battery). The
temperature is displayed digitally on a screen. The same thermometer can be used for oral and
rectal temperature
Fever Strips - Fever strips are not recommended, not accurate.
Ear Temps - Ear temps can be good with good technique with a high quality instrument.
Temporal Sensor - Temporal artery sensor will be on the market soon, and will be accurate.

References
Schmitt, B.D. Instructions for Pediatric Patients, Second Edition, pg. 51-54. WB Saunders Company 1999.


_____________________________
Your doctor knows you and your family best. Nothing takes the place of talking directly with your doctor
about your health and questions that you have. The information provided here is not medical care or
treatment and is not specific to your situation. You need to contact your own doctor for your medical care.
QUALITY CARE FOR ALL AGES 3

©Copyright Canandaigua Medical Group, 2004
335 Parrish Street · Canandaigua, NY 14424
[phone]
www.canandaiguamedical.com