How to Reduce Child's Fever and Recognize When Dangerous

When a child has a fever, don't panic right away. You can reduce a child's fever through treatment at home or use the appropriate medicine. Fever in children is not always a sign of danger. However, fever in children who reach 40 degrees Celsius, or fever in infants younger than 4 months who reach 37 degrees Celsius, should be immediately taken to the doctor.

Immune System

Fever is a sign that the immune system is fighting an infection that is happening or a disease that is starting to attack. The brain's role is to regulate body temperature to rise, when viruses or bacteria enter the body. Then, followed by encouraging white blood cells to work to attack and destroy the virus or bacteria. If the child has a fever but there are no significant symptoms or abnormalities, still want to eat and drink enough, there is no problem with urinating, you can take care of him at home until the fever goes down.

Perform Care at Home

Here are some ways you can do to reduce child fever with treatment at home:

• Compress the child using a wet cloth that has been dipped in cold water. Position the child in a supine sleeping state and place the cloth on the forehead.
• Give clothes that are lightweight, thin, and comfortable to help lower body temperature. Avoid using blankets when the child has a fever.
• Make sure the child is well hydrated so as not to become dehydrated. Give soothing foods like yogurt and ice cream. In addition to keeping the body hydrated, cool food or drinks will help calm the body from the inside.
• Keep the room temperature to stay comfortable. Use a fan with low temperature to get a cool room temperature. The thing to remember, avoid directing the fan directly to the child. If the child feels cold, turn off the fan.
• Wash your child using warm water (lukewarm). Bath water that evaporates from a child's body will help lower body temperature. Avoid bathing him using cold water or alcohol, because it can cause his body temperature to increase.

When Should You See Your Child's Doctor?

If you have tried to reduce a child's fever with treatment at home, but his condition has not improved, it is advisable to take the child to the doctor for further examination. Body temperature that does not also go down could be a sign that the child is experiencing something serious that might even be life threatening. Beware of fever that is too high in children, can cause febrile seizures. In addition to the condition of fever that never goes down, you are advised to take the child to the doctor as soon as possible if the child's fever is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Ear pain.
• A rash appears on the body.
• Sore throat.
• Neck that feels stiff (stiff neck).
• Looks weak.
• Looks suffering from pain.
• Excessive sleepiness.
• Loss of consciousness.
• There are signs of dehydration, such as dark urine.
• It's hard to breathe.
• Very fussy.
• Fever lasts more than 3 days, in children aged 2 years and over. Or lasts more than 1 day, in children aged less than 2 years.

Take steps to reduce children's fever with treatment at home as initial help. Nevertheless you must remain vigilant and continue to monitor its progress. If the fever is very high or accompanied by dangerous symptoms, immediately take the child to the nearest doctor or hospital.