Oh no, we're not there yet: we're beautiful close in the embrace ofwinter and spring seems lontana light years. Not to mention the summer. And together with pioggia, cold e wind, they still do compagnia i ailments Seasonal. Of course, the situation flu and a little' improved and peak seems past, but they still are many - especially the most small - to fight with thermometers e medicine. But when the fever in children must worry?
Let's face it without shame: despite all of us moms we know that, in principle, the fever he must not alarm and that it is a mechanism "amico"Because it serves to destroy virus e bacteria, when we see the thermometer touch i 39 or 40°C we let ourselves be taken - some more, some less - byanxiety. But as mentioned, most of the time it is an attitude unjustified and give to the speed of the light drugs to lower la temperature è incorrect e delays la healing. In some cases, however, the fever in children must put in guard. We see when.
Infants under 6 months. In very young children, in which the body's thermoregulatory center is not yet efficient and the immune system is not fully mature, fever is a rather rare event and should therefore be considered as a wake-up call, to be reported immediately to the pediatrician. This must also be done if the temperature does not reach very high levels or if it is accompanied by cough (the risk could be that of bronchiolitis, very common among children).
The child does not pee for more than 8-10 hours. This could be a sign of serious dehydration. With a fever, the body wastes all the liquid resources it has at its disposal. This is why it is very important to make our children drink when they are sick: they can also fast (although obviously it is not the best), but they must make an effort to drink. Dehydration is accelerated if in addition to the high temperature there is vomiting and / or diarrhea.
The child is very dejected. Each child can have different reactions to fever: some are lively and cheerful even at 39 ° C, others who feel bad even at lower temperatures. If there are headaches or pains, the malaise is more than justified. But pay attention to how down your child is: he may have acetone. This occurs when the body runs out of sugar to burn for energy and starts using fat. It can be caused by a high fever or gastrointestinal problems. You notice this in the child's prostration layer and in the breath that he tastes of ripe fruit. There are sticks on the market that are used to measure acetone in urine. It is fought by administering sugars, especially those of carbohydrates (bread, pasta, crackers).
The danger of convulsions. A high fever is tied in two ways with the fear of seizures, especially in newborns. However, it is fair to know that not all children are subject to it: only 5% suffer from convulsions and, in most cases, they are predisposed subjects (if parents or close relatives have suffered from it, it is more likely that they will manifest the problem) and in the age group between 6 months and 3 years. At the first seizure episode, the pediatrician should be consulted.
If there is a breathing difficulty. It is advisable to consult a specialist when the breathing becomes very labored and short or when it seems that the child is making a great effort to breathe. In the latter case, strange depressions may appear at the base of the neck or under the ribs.
Fixed abdominal pain. Belly pain is one of the symptoms that can very often accompany a fever or flu. However, the problem arises when the pain is constant and does not go away. Particular attention must be paid especially if it is located on the right: it could be an attack of appendicitis. If left untreated it can turn into peritonitis and it's not a walk in the park ...
High fever that does not go down. The drugs that are commonly used to lower the temperature are based on paracetamol or ibuprofen, given every 4-6 hours. However, when they are not effective and there is no way to make the fever go below 39-39,5 ° C, it is certainly worth hearing what the pediatrician says, who will visit the child and decide the type of therapy. The same applies if the child takes antibiotics and still has fever 48 hours after starting the administration.
Eye to neck stiffness, headache, spots. Associated with high fever and sometimes even vomiting, they can be the sign of meningitis, one of the great fears of mothers. In infants there may also be continuous and inconsolable crying and a swollen, pulsating fontanel. The spots appear purplish and do not disappear when pressed for a few seconds. In the presence of these symptoms it is certainly the case to contact your doctor.
