Fever is not a disease but is a symptom. Fever occurs when the immune system in children is fighting against infection. In medical terms, a person is called a fever if his temperature reaches 37.5 degrees Celsius or more.
The quickest, the easiest, and easiest way to find out if your child has a fever is to check his temperature. Examination of body temperature is done by using a thermometer. Do not rely on hand traps to measure fever. The temperature of the child may be higher than expected. [1]
There are many simple ways that parents can do at home as first aid to overcome fever, such as giving babies or children who drink a lot of fever is either breast milk or water, febrifuge, and others that we will be discussed more continue.
Various Causes Of Fever In Children
Most fevers are caused by infections or other diseases. The fever itself is actually useful to help the body fight infections by stimulating the immune system (the body's natural defenses against infections and diseases). With the increase in body temperature, it will make the bacteria and viruses become difficult to survive in the human body.
Broadly speaking infectious diseases cause fever in children include :
Viral Infections - Viral infections are the leading cause of fevers, causing many diseases such as colds, coughs, flu, diarrhea, etc., but sometimes viral infections can lead to more serious illness.
Bacterial infections - Less common than viral infections but can also cause fever and are usually more serious. Examples of diseases caused by bacterial infections include: pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), septicemia and meningitis. [2]
In addition, fever is also caused by the hypothalamus, part of the brain that controls body temperature. Fever occurs when the body detects an infection. The most common causes of rising body temperature in children are:
- Bacterial infections, eg. tonsillitis or rheumatic fever
- Viral infections, eg. cold or flu
- Upper respiratory tract infections (often accompanied by a cough or runny nose)
- Medicines for other diseases
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infection
- Exposure to hot air
- Allergic reactions
- Inflammatory diseases
- Immunizations not yet provided to the child
- Childhood diseases, such as chicken pox
| No | Causes of fever | Types and Reactions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hypothalamus | Bacterial infection, eg. tonsillitis or rheumatic fever, Viral infections, eg. colds or flu, upper respiratory tract infections (often accompanied by cough or cold), Drugs for other diseases, Ear infections, Urinary tract infections, Exposure to hot air, Allergic reactions, Inflammatory diseases, Immunizations not yet provided to children, Childhood diseases, such as chicken pox. |
| 2 | infection | Viral Infections - 1. Viral infection is the cause of most fever, the virus causes many diseases such as colds, cough, flu, diarrhea, etc., but sometimes viral infections can lead to more serious illness. 2. Bacterial infections - Less common than viral infections but can also cause fever and are usually more serious. Examples of diseases caused by bacterial infections include: pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), septicemia and meningitis |
Some serious diseases, such as meningitis, pneumonia, or septicemia, can also be
causing a fever. [3]
Symptoms Caused By Fever
A person with a fever usually feels some body conditions, namely :
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Headache
- Muscleache
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling uneasy
- Feeling weak
People who have high or very high fever will feel this way :
- Confusion
- Severe sleepiness
- Easy to get angry
- Convulsions
How to cope with fever in children
Children aged 2-17 years with fever to 38.9 degrees Celsius: Encourage your child to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Drugs are not needed. Call your doctor if your child looks more fussy than usual, listless, or complains of discomfort.
Children aged 2-17 years with fever above 38.9 degrees Celsius: If your child looks uncomfortable, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Read the packaging labels well for the right dosage, and be careful not to give your child more than one drug containing acetaminophen, such as some cough and cold. Avoid using aspirin in children or adolescents. Call your doctor if the fever does not go down due to medication or prolonged for more than 3 days.
Many parents are also worried about febrile seizures. Febrifuge is not proven to prevent febrile seizures. Seizures (if they occur) are usually caused by a rapid rise in body temperature in the early stages of the infection, often before parents realize their child has a fever.
When the fever let the child rest. Even if you expect him to take medication, just wait while he wakes up even though the fading schedule is over. Be careful when giving medicine. Make sure the doses fit the rules on the packaging. If you administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen-class fever, make sure you do not give cough or flu medicines containing antipyretic. Giving two types of drugs. can simultaneously lead to an overdose. [4]
Reference :
[1] (http://www.alodokter.com/demam-pada-anak)
[2] (https://mediskus.com/penyakit/penyebab-demam-pada-anak-dan-cara-mengatasinya)
[3] (https://www.docdoc.com/id/info/condition/anak-dengan-demam)
[4] (http://www.parenting.co.id/balita/cara+terbaik+turunkan+demam+anak)