Common Mistakes Made When Children Have High Fever

Common Mistakes Parents Make When Children Have High Fever During winter months, viral infections frequently affect our households. One of the most common symptoms of infections and a source of intense parental concern is 'high fever'. In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in visits to paediatric emergency departments due to high fever. This is because high fever is also a common symptom of Covid-19. However, not all fevers are caused by Covid-19 infection, and like most viral infections, this disease can occur without fever. Another important concern for parents is that they worry their children will experience convulsions and that this will result in permanent brain damage. However, contrary to common belief, febrile convulsions develop in only 4 percent of children between 6 months and 5 years of age. Simple febrile convulsions, occurring without high fever or accompanying serious infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, do not cause permanent brain damage. High fever in children, which is quite common, is defined as body temperature measured above 38.5 degrees Celsius. Assoc. Prof. Sibel Aka, Specialist in Paediatrics and Childhood Diseases at Acıbadem Dr. Şinasi Can (Kadıköy) Hospital, emphasised that the child's overall condition is more important than the degree of fever and said: "Fever is not a disease, but a natural and beneficial response of the body. Furthermore, there is not always a connection between the height of the fever and the severity of the disease. However, if your child is very restless or lethargic, and if these problems are accompanied by other issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea and headache, and most importantly if there is a rash on the skin along with the fever, you should consult a doctor immediately. Because this picture may be a sign of a serious illness. If your child is under one year of age, especially if under 3 months, you should consult a doctor immediately in case of fever" she says. Assoc. Prof. Sibel Aka, Specialist in Paediatrics and Childhood Diseases, explained the 5 most common mistakes parents make when children develop high fever and provided important recommendations.

Wrong: Dressing Heavily and Keeping in a Warm Environment

Correct approach: When fever rises rapidly, chills and shivering may develop. The child's hands and feet in particular may feel cold. Do not keep your child in a warm environment out of concern about chilling, and do not dress them heavily. Because heat causes body temperature to rise further. The room temperature should be neither too hot nor too cold. Therefore, be careful to keep room temperature between 22-24 degrees Celsius. Also, instead of heavy clothing, make sure to dress your child in loose and light clothing.

Wrong: Immersing in Cold Water or Applying Cold Compresses

Correct approach: Cold water causes body temperature to rise rapidly again and makes the child uncomfortable. When your child's fever rises, you can bathe them in lukewarm water or apply lukewarm compresses.

Wrong: Trying to Return Fever to Normal Rapidly

Correct approach: The purpose of using fever-reducing medication is to relieve the child's discomfort from the fever. If your child has no known chronic illness or history of febrile convulsions, you can wait without giving medication for temperatures up to 38-38.5 degrees Celsius. Assoc. Prof. Sibel Aka, Specialist in Paediatrics and Childhood Diseases, noted that fever-reducing medications must always be used at appropriate doses and intervals, and said: "Do not resort to more fever-reducing medication than necessary to rapidly return your child's fever to normal. Otherwise, unwanted side effects such as hypothermia and gastric irritation due to overdose use and drug poisonings may develop."

Wrong: Starting Antibiotics Indiscriminately

Correct approach: In childhood, high fever most frequently develops due to infectious diseases. Assoc. Prof. Sibel Aka, pointing out that most of these infections are virus-based, continues as follows: "Bacterial infections are less common and this distinction must be made by a doctor. Antibiotics are beneficial only in bacterial infections and are not useful in viral infections. Therefore, starting antibiotics immediately when fever is detected in children is an extremely wrong practice. Because antibiotics used unnecessarily are not only ineffective, but can also cause serious side effects such as unwanted allergic reactions, vomiting, diarrhoea, fungal infections, and lead to the development of antibiotic resistance."

Wrong: Trying to Feed a Feverish Child

Correct approach: When your child's fever rises, you should feed them with liquid foods as much as possible, and if they are still breastfeeding, you should continue breastfeeding frequently. Also, be sure to give them plenty of water and do not force them to eat.