To Your Health
January, 2012 (Vol. 06, Issue 01) |
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What About Fever Reducers?
Since it is a very rare fever that can actually cause any kind of harm to a child, the best response is to let it run its course; most fevers will resolve themselves in 24 to 72 hours.
Parents should be aware that fevers will naturally spike a little in the late afternoon and evening, so a slight increase in temperature during these times is not a cause for alarm. A wait-and-watch approach should be recommended, rather than turning to over-the-counter chemicals.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend fever-reducing drugs: "Fever is not an illness, rather, it is a symptom of sickness and is usually a positive sign that the body is fighting infection." Even in cases of high temperatures, the AAP says, "Fevers generally do not need to be treated with medication unless your child is uncomfortable or has a history of febrile convulsions. The fever may be important in helping your child fight the infection."
The Best Response
The best response to a fever below 104.5° F (40° C) for children over the age of 3 years is lots of rest and clear fluids. Since fevers may cause the child to sweat, parents need to be aware that they will lose sodium and water, which must be replaced with proper fluids. (This does not include Gatorade or other sugary sports drinks.) Parents should contact the child's health care provider right away if any of the following occur:1
- A child younger than 3 months is running any grade of fever.
- A child between 3 months and 3 years has a temperature above 102.2° F (39° C) and appears ill (it should be noted that even teething may cause a slight increase in temperature).
- A child of any age has a temperature over 104.5° F (40° C).
Additionally, since dehydration is a potential side effect of fever, encourage parents to watch their child for the following: dry mouth, lack of urine or wet diapers for 6-8 hours (or only a small amount of really dark urine), dry skin, lethargy, irritability, fatigue, or with an older child, dizziness. These signs of dehydration may be a concern and the child should be seen by a health care professional, especially if they are unable to keep down clear fluids.
It is important to note that in children under the age of 5 years, a fever can also lead to a seizure, known as a febrile seizure. However, while this can be frightening, it will typically have no lasting effects.
"Fever Phobia"
In 1980, Dr. Barton Schmitt published a now-classic article in which he coined the phrase "fever phobia." Many parents believed that untreated fevers could actually rise to critical levels and that even low-grade fevers could have serious neurological effects. This is just not true.
In 2001, Dr. Michael Crocetti, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins, was the lead author of a study called "Fever Phobia Revisited: Have Parental Misconceptions About Fever Changed in 20 Years?" He found that 20 years later, not much had changed and that despite education, parents still believe that fevers are dangerous. Keep in mind that although they do increase the need for fluids, fevers in and of themselves are not harmful.
A fever is a natural part of a child's immune response. When it is functioning at its absolute best, a child's body will fight off most foreign invaders so swiftly that they will have no outward effect at all. However, when necessary, a child's immune system will raise their temperature to create a hostile environment for that invader. It's how a properly functioning body functions.
Claudia Anrig, DC, practices in Fresno, Calif., and is on the board of directors of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, an organization that can answer your questions regarding the value of chiropractic care during and after pregnancy.
