Fever

Definition
Raised temperature i.e. Body temperature greater than 37.8ºC

Normal range
36.8ºC - 37.8ºC

How does it manifest?
Shivering, feeling alternatively hot and cold, shaking

What does it mean if my child has fever?
Your child may have an infection, either viral or bacteria. Infectious organisms interfere with the normal body temperature control mechanisms.

Can a child have a high temperature and yet he/she is not unwell?
Hot weather, very warm clothing, running around and screaming may make a child's temperature rise temporarily.

Can a child be ill and not have a high temperature?
Very young children can have normal temperature or low temperature and yet be seriously ill

What do you do when your child has fever?

  1. Take your child's temperature. You can use a mercury thermometer which is cheap (about Kshs. 20) but harder to use and read or a digital thermometer, which is more expensive (about Kshs.500). Place the thermometer in the child's mouth (more reliable) or under the armpit. Maintain the thermometer in place for one full minute if you are using a mercury thermometer and until you get a bleep for a digital thermometer.
  2. Be on the look out for other signs and symptoms of infection e.g. rash, lack of appetite, vomiting, irritability, irritation when the child is passing urine.
  3. Relieve the child of heavy clothing.
  4. Lay the child on the bed or on your lap and sponge his body with a wet cloth. Do not use cold water, use water from the tap
  5. Encourage the child to take fluids
  6. Administer paracetamol (15-20mg/Kg) or brufen (10mg/Kg), available over the counter
  7. Take the child to hospital if there are any other signs of illness and the fever is persistent

DO NOT:

    Use cold water to administer tepid sponging
  • Give the child aspirin - he may have a complication characterised by malfunction of the liver and brain.

Possible complications:

  • -Dehydration - because of loss of water from the skin and through fast breathing
  • Convulsions - especially if there is a family history. If this happens, be calm and follow the guidelines for convulsions
  • Reye's syndrome - a complication characterised by the malfunction of the liver and the brain. It has been associated with viral infection and the administration of Aspirin. It can result in death.