About this topic
Fever is an increase of the bodys temperature. It is how the body fights infection. Fever is not an illness. It is a sign of some other problem. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Offer your child lots of fluids. This will help keep your child well hydrated. Offer your baby regular feedings of breast milk or formula.
- Dress your child with lightweight clothes. Cover with a light sheet or blanket if needed. This will help keep your child from getting too warm.
- Give your child a lukewarm bath or sponge bath. It may help in cooling down the fever.
- Make sure your child gets lots of rest.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower fever
- Treat the problem causing the fever
Will physical activity be limited?
Keep your child at home until the fever is gone for 24 hours. This will help prevent the infection from spreading to other people. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Offer foods that your child wants. Do not force eating if your child is not interested. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Febrile seizures
- Too much fluid loss (dehydration)
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Keep your child from having close contact with a sick person.
- Wash your hands often. Be sure to do this after wiping your childs nose and changing diapers. Also wash before and after meals. Wash your child's hands as well.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, change in the sound of your babys cry or crying too much; muscles become stiff; bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head; if you feel your child is lethargic, irritable, or confused; if your child has a faster or slower heart rate; or less amount of urine.
- Drugs are not working for your child
- Febrile seizures
- Your child is not drinking
- Your child is not as alert as usual
- Your child is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help my child avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child is not as alert as usual or is not drinking.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/Fever-and-Your-Baby.aspx ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/fever.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚