Signs of fever: when do children have a fever?
Your child doesn’t feel like playing, his forehead is burning and his eyes are glassy? These can be the first symptoms of fever. Moderate fever of 38°C to 39°C is not uncommon, especially in small children. Find out everything about fever symptoms and how you can tell that your child has a fever.
what is fever
Fever is defined as an increase in body temperature, which is normally around 36.5°C. Fever itself is not considered a disease, but “only” a symptom, i.e. a side effect of another disease. This could be an infection, for example. Fever is primarily a natural reaction of the body to internal and external influences. An elevated temperature is generally helpful, as it is a healthy defense mechanism of the body against pathogens. The increase in body temperature stimulates metabolic processes and accelerates the immune system. On the other hand, pathogens can multiply less quickly. A fever is basically a sign that your child is struggling with an illness. Children generally have fevers much more frequently than adults,
Normal body temperature, high temperature or fever?
| body temperature | |
|---|---|
| 36.5 to 37.5 °C | Normal body temperature of a healthy child/adult |
| 37.6 to 38.0 °C | Increased temperature: Boosts defence, usually does not need to be lowered |
| 38.0 to 39.0 °C | Moderate fever: Not uncommon, especially in small children. Can be distressing. |
| From 39.0 °C | High Fever: Should be lowered, medical advice required |
When does the body react with fever?
Fever is a defense reaction of the body and can have a variety of different reasons. An elevated body temperature without an apparent cause is referred to as a fever of unclear origin. The most common causes of fever are:
- Infections caused by viruses or bacteria (e.g. influenza , gastrointestinal infection )
- increased metabolic activity (e.g. hyperthyroidism)
- physical overexertion
- heatstroke
- extreme dehydration (called thirst fever, often occurs in infants when they are not getting enough fluids or lose a lot of fluids through diarrhea )
- autoimmune diseases
- vascular inflammation
- Medication (so-called drug fever)
- hormones
- hereditary fever
- mental fever
- tumors
signs of fever
Depending on the cause and level of the fever, side effects are possible. These can be:
- External signs such as: hot forehead, red cheeks, glassy eyes, pale skin
- fatigue, weakness
- Refusal to eat, loss of appetite
- Shivering when the temperature rises
- Sweating and severe dehydration with falling body temperature
- tachycardia
- rapid breathing
What to do if you have a fever
Is your child showing these signs of fever? First of all, you have to measure your temperature to be on the safe side. Use a clinical thermometer that measures accurately and with which you and your child get along best. You can find out how to measure fever correctly in our article How to measure fever correctly . If your child does have a fever, there is a lot you can do to bring the fever down . There are many home remedies for fever that you can use.