what to do if my baby has a fever
What to Do When Your Babe Has a Fever
Any fever above 100.iv degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous for a newborn. Learn how to treat baby fevers and when to visit the doctor.
As any parent knows, there's almost nix more frightening than your infant's offset fever. It turns out that "fever phobia" is somewhat justifiable: temperatures greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to life-threatening infections (such as bacterial meningitis and pneumonia) in newborns less than 3 months quondam. Only don't panic! With the proper steps, it'due south unlikely that a newborn'south fever will lead to complications. Hither'southward what to do when your baby has a fever—plus new guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on how to handle baby fevers.
What Causes Infant Fever?
"The about common cause of fever is infections from viruses or bacteria," such as colds, flus, ear infections, and strep throat, says Anne Tran, Chiliad.D., a pediatric hospitalist at Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii. Believe it or not, developing a fever is actually beneficial in these cases, since it proves that your baby's immune organization is working properly to fight off the infection. Dr. Tran says that certain immunizations can besides cause a temporary fever for as long every bit 48 hours, which is a normal response to vaccinations. In rare cases, fevers tin can indicate to brain disorders or autoimmune disorders.
- RELATED: Toddler Fever Fears: A Guide for Treating Fever in Kids
What is Considered a Fever for a Baby?
Experts recommend using a rectal thermometer for anyone less than iii years one-time age. These give a more authentic reading than oral thermometers, since you actually insert the bulb into the torso (one/2 to 1 inch into your kid's rectum). Any temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever, says Lana Gagin, MD, MPH, FAAP, at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
Besides elevated temperature, other signs of fever in babies include:
- Fussiness
- Excessive sleepiness
- Lack of appetite
It'due south also important to make sure Babe isn't actually suffering from estrus stroke, which is elevated body temperature caused past overheating. Prevent heat stroke by fugitive sun exposure, particularly if your baby is less than 6 months quondam. "If you lot doubtable your child is overheated, immediately move him to a cool place," says Dr. Gagin. "Call your pediatrician or accept your child to the emergency room."
- RELATED: Signs of Fever in Babies and Children
What to Do for Baby Fever
"In newborns nether three months, any temperature over 100.4 degrees is considered a medical emergency," says Dr. Tran. Babies nether three months don't have fully performance immune systems, which increases the risk of infections like bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. It'southward important they get evaluated right abroad to forbid life-threatening complications.
If your infant is between three months and 6 months old, call the doctor for a fever over 101 degrees F. You lot should also alert the pediatrician if your baby develops vomiting, diarrhea, ear hurting, stiff neck, skin rash, comfortless crying, shortness or breath, or other worrisome symptoms— or if they have trouble moving or waking. Also spotter out for signs of aridity in your baby, which include lack of tears and less than iii or iv wet diapers a day, says Dr. Tran.
- RELATED: The Dos and Don'ts of Fighting a Fever
Consider relieving the discomfort of a lower-grade fever with acetaminophen (for babies over iii months) or ibuprofen (for babies over half dozen months). Keep in heed, notwithstanding, that these medications temporarily mask a fever, just they won't treat symptoms. Call your doctor to talk over the proper dosage.
Don't overdress your feverish baby or cover them in thick blankets, "every bit this can prevent body estrus from escaping and cause their temperature to ascension," says Dr. Tran. Consider giving them a lukewarm bath or dribbling a lukewarm washcloth over their body. Finally, let your child rest and go on them well hydrated. "And spend some actress fourth dimension together. A hug from a loving relative goes a long way," says Dr. Gagin.
AAP Guidance on Treating Babe Fevers
So what happens if you bring your newborn to the md for a fever? Equally information technology turns out, in that location was previously no protocol for dealing with fevers in immature babies; handling could range from brusque observation to extensive testing at the hospital (such as a lumbar puncture). This prompted the American University (AAP) to release standardized guidelines— published July 2021 in Pediatrics—to set protocols for dealing with elevated temperatures in infants between 8 to 60 days old.
The new AAP guidelines are broken downwardly by historic period: 8-21 days, 22-28 days, and 29-threescore days. They assistance doctors determine whether babies with a fever (100.four degrees Fahrenheit or more) who appear otherwise salubrious should be admitted to the hospital.
"What is skillful almost these guidelines from the perspective of a parent is they are based on all the science accumulated over the decades on how to manage an babe with a fever," Dr. Sean O'Leary, a coauthor of the guidelines, vice chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, told Today.
Parents should alert their pediatrician right away if their infant has a fever, especially if the babe is younger than 60 days erstwhile. Hopefully, these guidelines will eliminate unnecessary medical costs and streamline treatments in the hereafter.
Source: https://www.parents.com/baby/health/fever/what-to-do-when-your-baby-has-a-fever/
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