I didn’t update my website was because Angela was down with Fever again, actually its common for kids to have fever but this time worries me as the fever was as high as 40 degrees & last for 4 days.
I brought her to see a doctor, both of us thought she might be having roseola, same as what Belinda had a few months ago. As roseola usually have relatively high fever up between 3~5 days, plus this kind of virus does not affect her behaviour & appetite. Weird thing is there wasn’t any roseola breakout when she recovers, doctor said she might have other virus in which her body is creating antibodies to fight against the virus.
Anyway, I just want to share some of my findings & information of handling fever toddler, which I have tried before on my twins.
Good Fever vs. Bad Fever
Actually fever is good for the kids, as is part of the body’s defense against bacteria and viruses, some researchers suggest that the body may fight infections more effectively when its temperature is elevated. (Bacteria and viruses prefer an environment that’s around 98.6 degrees F, or 37 degrees C.) A fever also tells the body to make more white blood cells and antibodies to fight the infection.
But if the fever is too high (above 38.5 degrees C), better give them medicine & observe for 1/2 a day to see the condition, see if the temperature has gone down to 38 degrees & below.
Ways to reduce the temperature
* Medication
Use children’s acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil & Motrin) to bring down your toddler’s temperature.
Be very careful when administering medicine to your toddler. His weight will determine the right dose. Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine or an oral syringe to give your child exactly the right amount.
* Bathe
Alot of elder people don’t recommend this method, as they think if one is having fever, shouldn’t bathe. Well, its not the case, soaking them into lukewarm water can bring their temperature down & let them feel better too.
But remember don’t soak them into water right after they eaten their medicine, its best to have the medicine after the bathe or maybe at least 1 hour after they taken the medicine.
Don’t soak them for more than 5 minutes, if you want to wash their hair, remember to use hairdryer to dry it thoroughly.
* Food
I read from a parenting magazine, research shows that tomatoes & watermelon can bring down one’s temperature as well. So I usually give my kids watermelon juice when they are having fever, well it does help!
* Ice pack for the forehead
This is another good way to reduce the fever, but remember must be at least 1 hour after taken medicine. As after the medicine, the “heat” which is trap inside the body will tends to release out, which will sometimes cause toddler to sweat. If Ice pack/cold towels are put onto the forehead, the “heat” will be trapped inside, causing it harder to release out. This will make the fever even harder to recover.
Fever can be very serious when it cause serious febrile seizures where they may roll their eyes, drool, or vomit. Their limbs may become stiff and his body may twitch or jerk.
Quickly place him on his side, away from hard objects. Gently turn his head to one side so he won’t choke if he vomits. Loosen his clothing if it’s constricting him. Make sure he doesn’t have anything in his mouth, and don’t put anything in his mouth while the seizure lasts.
Don’t try to lower your baby’s fever during a seizure by giving him medication, putting him in cool water, or sponging him off.
I hope this really help 1st time mummy like me!
