Even though fever is not a very serious health condition, the cause behind it, might be serious and hence, early diagnosis of fever, especially high fever is a must. Recurring fever is also a cause of concern in children and it may be due to some serious problem. In most cases, a child suffers from fever due to common infections. The hypothalamus controls the temperature of the body. If the body is suffering from any kind of infection, then the hypothalamus increases the temperature of the body in order to fight the infection.
If the rectal temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above 38 degrees Celsius, then we can say that the child is having fever. While, if the rectal temperature is above 107 degrees Fahrenheit or 41 degrees Celsius, then the child has high fever.
Viral and bacterial infections can be one cause of high temperature in growing kids. In some cases, heat illnesses can also give rise to this kind of fever. Allergy to certain medications and illicit drugs can also cause such a fever. Infants enduring fever after shots, is also common, as it becomes difficult for the infant's body to cope with the effects of the shots. Some children might also suffer from baby teething fever.
Along with the increased body temperature other symptoms are also observed as a result of high fever. Infants will appear to be irritated, lethargic, and fussy. They will be quiet without making much movement. They will also avoid eating and playing. You can also observe changes in their sleeping and eating habits. They will either sleep a lot or will not sleep at all. They will tend to breathe rapidly and might also experience difficulty in breathing.
Body ache and headache are also the common symptoms of high temperature. The child will either feel extremely hot or extremely cold as compared to the other people around. It's difficult to detect temperature in children under 2 years. In such cases, if you notice that the infant is crying continuously, then it indicates that he is experiencing some kind of discomfort and may be suffering from high temperature. In some cases, the child will vomit continuously and become pale.
If your child is suffering from high temperature, then take him to the doctor immediately. As a part of first aid, you can opt for certain home remedies. Make your child take a warm water bath, however, ensure that he is not in the water for long. Give him fruit juices and also, make him drink enough water, so as to keep him hydrated.
High fever should be treated immediately, as most of the time, the underlying cause of it is serious. If you observe the above-mentioned symptoms in your child, take him to the doctor immediately.