If the child has a fever

Children often get sick. Mostly colds. It is usually accompanied by a high temperature. There are different ways to measure the temperature in young children.

High temperature in children

Children depend on the ambient temperature. In young children, the head is very sensitive to temperature. If it's hot outside, then you have to make sure that your child is not too wrapped up. In winter, you must put your child in warm clothes. Children lose a lot of heat through the scalp, so you need to take care of the baby wearing a hat.

What is the normal temperature for your child?

If you measure your baby's rectal temperature( anus), the normal range is 36, 5 to 37, 3 degrees Celsius. The temperature in the oral cavity is about half a degree below. The same goes for the temperature in the ear. Measurements under the arm are unreliable, but the temperature should be about 0, 5 to 0, 7 degrees Celsius lower than the rectal temperature.

For values ​​from 37, 3 to 38 degrees Celsius called elevated temperature, above 38 degrees Celsius is called high temperature.

How to measure heat?

The most accurate method of measuring temperature through the rectum. It is the best method in children under the age of three. Measure better with a digital thermometer. Mercury thermometers are not recommended because of the toxicity of heavy metals, and the measurement process takes longer.

Children under the age of three must be put on their backs, presses and hips lifted up so that you can easily see what you are doing. Insert a lightly smeared thermometer into the anus to a depth of two to three centimeters, and hold it for about two minutes without moving, in case you are using a mercury thermometer. Digital thermometers last 30 seconds or less. Basically you will hear a signal or the display will stop flashing.

The temperature on the forehead is measured by thermometers in the form of a plastic strip. Recently, they have become popular. However, they are very inaccurate and unreliable, so they can not be recommended for temperature measurement.

A very useful method for measuring temperature in children is measuring in the ear. There is a special ear thermometer, it works very quickly. The ear thermometer only needs one second to indicate the temperature. They are especially popular in older children than the method of measurement in the rectum. The temperature is about 0, 5 degrees Celsius lower than the rectal measurement.

The ear thermometer should be used correctly if you want reliable results. It is very important that during the measurements the upper part of the ear is slightly tightened, that is, the ear canal is straightened, otherwise you will touch the eardrum. When buying such a thermometer, be sure to read the instructions.

High temperature can be measured in the mouth under the tongue. This is only allowed with digital thermometers in young children. In the mouth, the temperature should be measured two to three minutes under the tongue. It is 0, 5 degrees Celsius lower than the rectal temperature. Remember that this method of measuring temperature in the first ten minutes after taking cold or hot food is unreliable.

A child's temperature can be measured in the armpit. This method requires ten minutes, it is extremely inaccurate in young children and does not make sense. This temperature is about 0, 6 degrees Celsius lower than in the rectum.

Why does the child have a high fever?

At high temperatures, the body responds to various stressors. The body can fight infection. Pathogenic cells die due to elevated temperature. But only this temperature should be reduced.

What to do, if the child has a high temperature ?

A child with a high fever needs to drink more fluids than usual. The principle here is: give your child fluid in small quantities, but often. Better tea or juice, slightly diluted with water. If your child drinks a lot at high temperatures, it's not so bad, if he eats a lot of days, it's wrong.

If your child has a fever, he can not sit still. He plays all the time, despite the heat. It is necessary that the child lay in bed more than he played.

At high temperatures, it is enough for your child to wear underwear or a diaper. This way you can get rid of the heat. His room should not be too warm. It can really be cooler, but there should not be a draft.

Use antipyretic medications, but you should discuss their list with your pediatrician. He can advise medicines on high temperature and prescribe the right dosage.

When should I see a doctor?

The heat lasts more than two to three days. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician. Assess the status of your child. What does he look like? What kind of pain is present at high temperature? What are his symptoms? In general, it can be: persistent vomiting, diarrhea, burning with urination, pain, shortness of breath, cramps and increased drowsiness. Any harmless disease worsens, so a visit to the doctor is necessary.