Debunking the Myth: Getting Your Fever Down
A familiar parent scenario... your child wakes you up complaining of not feeling well and you check their temperature and lo and behold they have a fever. Should you call the doctor?
In healthy kids, fevers usually don't indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child's temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing -- it's often the body's way of fighting off infections. Remember, just because your child has a fever does not necessarily mean you need to seek immediate treatment. Obviously, if the fever is off the chart, it could indicate something serious and medical help should be pursued.
NOTE: This does not apply to infants. Infants with a temperature reading of over 100.4 should go to the emergency room or see a doctor immediately.
Fevers are a part of childhood -and adulthood for that matter. All kids get fevers. In almost all cases, most kids will be back to normal in just a few days. You should pay more attention to the way they act and not just at the thermometer. If your child is dehydrated, refuses to drink liquids, has bad diarrhea, gets recurring fevers, has a diagnosed medical condition, then a doctor should be brought into the equation.
A fever is nothing more than your hypothalamus raising your core temperature, usually as a response to an infection or virus. Researchers believe it does this to create an uncomfortable environment for foreign invaders.
The bottom line is that a fever is generally a way for your body to heal. Don't panic if you or your child has a fever. Watch for other warning signs from the way they are acting and give them Tylenol -not aspirin.
Debunking the Myth: Getting Your Fever Down
A familiar parent scenario... your child wakes you up complaining of not feeling well and you check their temperature and lo and behold they have a fever. Should you call the doctor?
In healthy kids, fevers usually don't indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child's temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing -- it's often the body's way of fighting off infections. Remember, just because your child has a fever does not necessarily mean you need to seek immediate treatment. Obviously, if the fever is off the chart, it could indicate something serious and medical help should be pursued.
NOTE: This does not apply to infants. Infants with a temperature reading of over 100.4 should go to the emergency room or see a doctor immediately.
Fevers are a part of childhood -and adulthood for that matter. All kids get fevers. In almost all cases, most kids will be back to normal in just a few days. You should pay more attention to the way they act and not just at the thermometer. If your child is dehydrated, refuses to drink liquids, has bad diarrhea, gets recurring fevers, has a diagnosed medical condition, then a doctor should be brought into the equation.
A fever is nothing more than your hypothalamus raising your core temperature, usually as a response to an infection or virus. Researchers believe it does this to create an uncomfortable environment for foreign invaders.
The bottom line is that a fever is generally a way for your body to heal. Don't panic if you or your child has a fever. Watch for other warning signs from the way they are acting and give them Tylenol -not aspirin.