Every parent has experienced a panic attack at least once in their life when their child has a fever that does not go down even with medication. Regardless of the fact that we are aware that the virus or infection must "cool down" its own, we hardly tolerate these unpleasant signals. We constantly wonder how long a viral fever lasts in children and how it subsides. There is a way, don't worry.

These questions are quite natural, because the temperature is a signal that the body is fighting an infection, but the situation is also stressful when you can't see the end of the red line on the thermometer.

Stay with us and find out how to deal with a stressful situation and the challenge of bringing down a high temperature in a child, whether it is viral or the result of a more serious infection. How to get out of the virus easily and quickly with adequate methods and the support of a doctor, read below.

Virus - temperature

When a child has a viral infection, one of the first symptoms is a fever. Although we don't like it, or rather, we are afraid of how high it will go, temperature is a good tool for killing viruses.

When the virus enters the body, the child's immune response is, first of all, a temperature. The immune system creates an unfavorable environment for the enemy - the virus.

The temperature is a signal that the body is actually fighting the virus, and the higher it is, the faster and easier it will destroy it. This does not mean that we will allow it to go too high, because it can be dangerous, especially for small children. It can cause dehydration, can greatly exhaust the delicate child's organism or even cause febrile convulsions.

Therefore, parents should react when the child reaches a body temperature of 38.5 °C or more. Some children are prone to convulsions, so even a low temperature that barely exceeds 37 °C is enough to cause complications. It is important to maintain a balance and, in consultation with the pediatrician, control and keep the temperature at a limit that easily kills the virus.

The body has its own defense mechanisms. With proper parental response to antipyretics and adequate measures of hydration and rest, you will quickly get rid of high fever and viruses.

High temperature in children, symptoms of viral infection

How long does a viral fever in children last?

A viral fever in children usually lasts 3 to 5 days, depending on the type of virus and the child's immune response. In the first phase, the temperature may rise sharply and is often accompanied by a feeling of malaise, muscle pain, coughing and a runny nose. The second phase, which occurs after two to three days, means that, if everything is fine and there are no complications, the temperature will gradually decrease even without medication, but it will rise in the evening hours. The third phase is a gradual decline without recovery and should occur 3-5 days after the first phase.

If it lasts longer, be sure to contact your pediatrician.

High temperature in children and their different reactions

How a child will react to a high temperature depends on his immunity, age, and the tolerance of the body itself to fever.

Small children and babies are very tearful, sleepy or even completely lethargic in these situations. Both young and old show symptoms of weakness, loss of appetite, complain of head and body pain, increased thirst and are very irritable.

When the temperature is very high and the child can't tolerate it, dehydration, rapid heartbeat, confusion and, in the worst case, febrile convulsions can occur.

Febrile convulsions most often occur in children aged 6 months to 5 years as a reaction to a sudden increase in body temperature. These are short-term seizures that include muscle twitching, body stiffness, and sometimes loss of consciousness. Although they seem scary, in most cases they are not serious and do not leave consequences for the child's health. However, a child who experiences a febrile convulsion should be taken to a doctor immediately for further monitoring and exclusion of other causes.

How to relieve a child of high fever?

Never panic when your child develops a high fever. Try to stay calm, because that way you will act rationally, safely and quickly.

The measures you should take to bring down your child's fever in the safest way:

Monitor temperature changes regularly - 38.5 °C is a temperature that usually requires intervention. Before that, it is preferable to let the body fight the virus with its own mechanisms. You must have a reliable thermometer. Today, these are modern digital or infrared devices for measuring body temperature.

Prolife thermometer for accurate temperature measurement

Hydrate the child constantly - It is important to regularly drink water when the child is under temperature to prevent dehydration. Water, tea, juice or warm soup is a must in these situations. Babies need to suckle more often. If the child is vomiting, and everything he takes into his body bothers him, try hydrating him with a teaspoon, every 5 minutes in the first hour. In the second hour, water it with a teaspoon of water for 10 minutes, and in the third for 15 minutes.

Light clothing and blankets - Do not overheat a child who is burning with temperature. Too many layers of clothing will make him extra warm. Cozy it up in light, cotton pajamas and let looseexcess cover. It will happen that when the temperature gradually jumps, the child shivers from the cold. In that case, cover it and wait for it to stop shaking when the temperature reaches its peak. After that, make him comfortable and hydrated. It goes without saying that you have given an antipyretic to protect him.

Wraps for reducing temperature - Soak a cotton cloth, diaper or thin towel in lukewarm water, wring it out well and place it on the child's forehead, neck, groin. In this way, you will slowly and gradually reduce the temperature. There will be no sudden collapse, unpleasant for the body.

Use of antipyretics - Above 38.5 °C, give a medicine to lower the temperature. Most often they are paracetamol or ibuprofen. You will consult with the pediatrician about the dose and dynamics of drug administration. Doses are adapted to the age and weight of the child. Aspirins should be avoided because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Showering with pleasantly lukewarm water or taking a warm bath - Showering with lukewarm water at body temperature or lying in a tub of pleasantly warm water will bring the temperature down slightly. Never shower your child with a cold shower, as sudden cooling will worsen the condition and cause shock.

Rest in a pleasant environment - The child should lie in a clean, airy room with a pleasant temperature. Give him as much sleep as possible so that the symptoms subside without complications.

If the temperature does not drop even after three days, and the child is listless, lethargic and generally looks bad in the face, a trip to the pediatrician is mandatory. With milder viruses, rest and proper care are usually enough to lower the temperature and defeat the virus.

Lowering the temperature in babies

Babies are like glass, fragile, tender, transparent, they don't tell us what they feel. It is no coincidence that we are much more worried when the baby has a high temperature.

First you need to know what to avoid when bringing down a baby's temperature. Avoid improvised methods such as cold compresses or alcohol baths. They will cause sudden cooling, are not safe for the baby's skin and body and can cause additional complications.

Tips to follow:

Consultation with a pediatrician - When a baby has a fever, a visit to the pediatrician is mandatory. It is important to find out the cause as soon as possible so that you can deal with the problem immediately.

Temperature control - Measure the temperature regularly with thermometers designed for babies. When you see 38°C on the display, consult a pediatrician immediately.

Antipyretics according to the doctor's advice - Babies are generally given paracetamol in small doses according to their weight. It can be in the form of syrup or suppositories. Babies older than six months can be given ibuprofen. Each antipyretic is given in doses according to the doctor's advice.

Hydration - If your baby is sucking, offer her a meal more often. That way they will stay hydrated, which will affect the temperature. For babies who are on an adapted formula, you must additionally provide liquid intake, in smaller time intervals. Even if the baby refuses, try to get him to drink at least a spoonful of water every 5-10 minutes.

Light clothing - Never overheat the baby under the temperature. Avoid blankets and thick covers. Instead, cover it with a light terry cloth and dress it in breathable and cotton bodysuits.

Temperature reduction in babies, careful monitoring and care

Warm wraps - Soak the diaper in warm water and wring it out well. Place it against the baby's forehead, neck or folds. In this way, you will lower the temperature in the best way. Do not soak the diaper in cold water in any case, so as not to achieve a counter effect.

Bathing in warm water - Make a bath with lukewarm water and hold the baby for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure that the water does not cool down, but that it is always at body temperature.

Monitor your baby's signals - Watch your baby's reactions. If she is too quiet, refuses food and liquids, vomits or has a rash, has poor eye contact or symptoms of convulsions, see a pediatrician immediately.

Natural temperature reduction in children

Natural methods for lowering the temperature in children work for a moderately elevated temperature. However, too high values ​​require medication and a doctor's consultation.

The safest natural techniques involve cooling and hydrating the child. Warm compresses on the forehead and neck, light baths in lukewarm water, removing excess clothing, will enable gradual cooling of the body.

The most important thing is to ensure the intake of a sufficient amount of liquid, in order to prevent dehydration and cause sweating.

The body naturally cools down through sweating and in this way the temperature drops slowly and over a long period of time.

A high temperature in children causes fear and restlessness in parents, but it is usually not a reason for panic. Timely reaction and adequate care will speed up the recovery process. It is enough to monitor your child's condition and by combining natural methods and using antipyretics according to the pediatrician's advice, you will get out of the crisis quickly and easily.

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