Viral fever in kids

All kids get a fever from time to time. Usually, a fever isn’t dangerous or bad for kids. It can even be a good thing because it can help the Still, parents might be unsure about how to handle a fever at home and when to call the doctor. Here are some tips. What Is a Fever? In general, a fever means the body’s temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Different ways of What Causes Fevers? Fevers in kids are usually caused by an infection. A fever helps the body by stimulating the immune system to fight the infection. Doctors also think the higher temperature makes it harder for the germs to grow. A few other reasons kids can have a fever: Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they're overdressed, wrapped in a blanket, or in a hot environment because they don't regulate their body temperature as well as older kids. But because fevers in newborns can be a sign of a serious infection, even infants who are overdressed must be checked by a doctor if they have a fever. Immunizations: Babies and kids sometimes get a mild fever that lasts about a day after getting vaccinated. A child who is When Is a Fever a Sign of Something Serious? In most healthy kids who are acting well, a fever isn’t serious. But a fever can be serious for: • Infants younger than 3 months: If an infant younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, call your doctor or go to the emergency department right away. • Kids with some health conditions: If your chi...

With many different viruses circulating this winter, parents and caregivers may begin to worry as soon as they see the first sign of a runny nose or sore throat in their children. Is it “Fever is one of the most common reasons parents call the pediatrician, and when we see an increase in infections, we see more fevers,” said Dr. Karen Acker, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and hospital epidemiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine. According to Dr. Acker, a fever, which is defined as a body temperature of more than 100.4° F, is a body’s normal response to fighting an illness. It means the immune system is doing its job, and in most circumstances there is no need to be worried. Health Matters spoke to Dr. Acker to learn more about fevers, including how long they last, ways to treat them, and when parents need to seek medical care for their children. Health Matters: What are important things a parent should know when their child has a fever? Dr. Acker: Typically, a fever due to a run-of-the-mill virus can last from 24 hours to three to four days. Sometimes, fevers can last longer — even over a week — and it’s not necessarily a reason to be alarmed, as long as the child is not struggling with other symptoms, such as dehydration, shortness of breath, or severe lethargy or irritability. But if your child has prolonged fever for seven days or more, it is a good idea to bring...

A viral fever is a higher-than-average body temperature that a virus causes. Often, a person will experience symptoms that may include a runny nose, coughing, nausea, fatigue, and body aches. While not every person experiences a Most viral illnesses will improve with time and supportive treatments such as cold compresses and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, having a body temperature that is too high may require medical attention. Share on Pinterest The symptoms of a viral fever will vary depending on the virus. A fever is the body’s natural reaction to exposure to disease-causing pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. The body’s increase in temperature can destroy the proteins in these pathogens to keep them from multiplying. Also, fever is an inflammatory response to the illness in the body. The definition of a fever depends on a person’s age and where the temperature reading originates from. According to the • Rectal, ear, or forehead: The temperature is higher than 100.4°F (38.0°C). • Oral: The temperature is higher than 100°F (37.8°C). • Under the armpit: The temperature is higher than 99°F (37.2°C). The definition of fever can vary in adults. However, many doctors will consider a body temperature reading using an oral thermometer that is higher than 100°F (37.8°C) as a fever. A viral fever can cause a person to feel fatigued, irritable, and achy. Additional symptoms may vary based on the virus causing the underlying illness. For example, the roseola viru...

Fevers in younger children may also trigger (Febrile seizures are seizures that are brought on, specifically, by fevers. They are different from epileptic seizures.)Although scary for parents, febrile seizures are usually not serious. They tend to occur in young children, during a viral illness in which a fever spikes all of a sudden. Treating Fever Symptoms Treatment of a fever can include using an over-the-counter fever reducer, including products that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Always talk to your child's pediatrician before giving your little one any type of medication. Ask which type of drug might help the most and what the appropriate dosage is for your kid's age. • an earache = an ear infection • a sore throat = • a runny nose = a cold or sinus infection • a dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and • a cough and trouble breathing = pneumonia • generalized rash after the fever breaks = • seal bark cough = croup • a sore throat and a sandpaper rash = • dysuria (pain with urination) = urinary tract infection Plus, infections aren't the only causes of fever. Children with prolonged fever may have more mysterious symptoms, such as skin rashes, diarrhea, weight loss, or night sweats. And the symptoms might be caused by conditions like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or even reactions to medications. • Gunduz S, Usak E, Koksal T, Canbal M. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2016;18(8):e23827. Published 2016 Jun 5. doi:1...

Overview What is a recurrent fever? A A recurring fever is a fever that happens multiple times over a period of time. These fevers can sometimes be described as episodic, meaning that they come and go. A recurrent fever is one that comes back in a pattern. For example, your young child or toddler could have a fever every month. This type of fever is typically seen in young children, usually under age 5 (infants and toddlers in particular). The increased temperature lasts for a few days and then goes away for a stretch of time. The child is healthy and acts normally in between fevers. Recurrent fever is one of the main symptoms of a collection of conditions called periodic fever syndromes. These are diseases that cause a person — typically a child — to have a fever in a spaced out pattern over time, without having a virus or bacterial infection. What’s the difference between a recurrent fever and a classic fever? The main difference between a classic fever and a recurrent fever is how often it happens. If you have a recurrent fever, it lasts for a few days, gets better, goes away and then comes back after a period of time when you felt healthy. Recurrent fevers keep happening and coming back over time. A classic fever is also usually linked to an infection or virus. With a recurrent fever, you may have a higher body temperature without any virus or bacterial infection. Possible Causes What causes a recurrent fever? A fever can happen for many different reasons. These causes...

Viral fever is not a medical condition by itself, but it is the most common symptom associated with any viral infection. It is a very common symptom that affects both children and adults. A large number of viruses have been identified, which are capable of causing viral infection. The signs and symptoms of viral fever, largely depends on the type of virus that causes the infection. In most of the cases, the condition is contagious and can easily affect other people who are in close contact with the patient. Unlike bacterial infection where antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria, there are no medications that can kill the viruses that cause the infection. The medications that are usually prescribed to patients with viral infection, provides palliative relief and helps in controlling the severity of the condition. Advertisement • Age of the patient • Health status of the patient • Immune response of the patient • Type of causative agent (virus). For example, common cold caused by rhinoviruses, gives rise to fever which lasts for 1 to 2 days; whereas viral flu caused by influenza virus causes fever which may last for 2 to 3 days. Fever caused by adenovirus, which infects the respiratory tract and intestinal tract, can last for 3 to 5 days. Rotavirus causing gastroenteritis, gives rise with mild to moderate fever, which last for 1 to 2 days. Fever associated with hand-foot-and-mouth disease caused by coxsackie viruses, is generally low fever lasting for 2 to 3 days. Though ...