Fever/raised temperature

If your child has a fever he will look hot and flushed, though may complain of feeling cold and be shivering. This is a natural reflex due to the increased heat loss and a temporary disabling of the usual internal temperature control of the brain. Common sense, and using the back of your hand to feel the forehead of an ill child, is almost as reliable in detecting a fever as using a thermometer. The NCT Book of Babycare says that the upper end of normal temperature for a baby is 37 degrees celsius.

There are two main dangers to a child with a fever:

• Febrile convulsions, or fits, affect children under five with very high fevers. They are not epilepsy, and do not lead on to epilepsy in later life. It is frightening for parents, but is not, as a rule, dangerous. Your child will seem to be ‘not with it’, and his limbs will twitch or shake. This can go on for up to five minutes. It is important to remain calm, and stay with your child until it is over. Lie your child on his side somewhere where he cannot hurt himself (on a carpeted floor is a good idea). Call your doctor when the fit has passed
• Dehydration can develop rapidly in a feverish child, as much more water than usual is lost through the sweat. Ill children often do not want to drink, and this makes things worse. A dehydrated child looks drawn and pinched in the face, with sunken eyes and a dry mouth. Urine production slows down as the body tries to conserve fluid. If a baby does not wet its nappy for six hours, he may well be dehydrated

What to do:

To reduce the risk of fever and dehydration, follow these simple steps:

• Sponge your child down gently with tepid water, all over. Allow the body heat to dry the skin rather than towelling it dry. This can be repeated as often as necessary. Although your child may protest while you are doing this, he will feel much better afterwards, and the fever can be reduced by as much as one degree centigrade
• Give regular doses of sugar-free paracetamol syrup to help reduce fever, and combat aches and pains. Calculate the dose according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or ask your pharmacist
• Keep your child as undressed as possible to allow heat to be lost
• Encourage your child to take small, frequent sips of anything he will drink (though preferably clear fluids like water or squash rather than milky drinks). Do this even if your child is vomiting, as even then, some water will be absorbed in the stomach, though much is thrown up