Back to school (part 2)

By Carleene Grant-Davis

Dealing with the fever

Well, parents, we were all overly enthusiastic to get them back to school a couple of weeks ago. Now, are we having second thoughts? We knew it was going to happen, but we were hoping and keeping our fingers crossed. After all, it's only been a week or two since they restarted school. But, alas, it's already here - the fever.

No need to worry, though. There is actually some good news about the fever. Fever is not an illness. In fact, it is usually a positive sign that the body is fighting infection. Fever also stimulates certain defences, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria. So the fever is actually helping your child fight infection.

However, fever can make your child uncomfortable. It increases his or her need for fluids and makes his or her heart rate and breathing rate faster. In children between six months and five years, fever can trigger seizures called febrile convulsions.

Checking for the fever

All parents should try to own a thermometer. Most of them are easy to use. Do not rely on just touching the skin.

Your child's normal temperature will vary with his or her age, activity and time of day. If the thermometer is placed in the mouth or under the arm, a reading greater than 37.2 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) indicates a fever.

What causes the fever?

Fortunately, in the majority of school-aged children, fever is mostly due to simple infections caused by viruses. These are commonly respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, flu, ear infections and sore throats. Sometimes, there are outbreaks of other specific viral infections such as dengue (as there is presently), hand, foot and mouth disease, and gastro-enteritis.

Less often, fever is due to more serious infections such as pneumonia (infection in the lungs) or meningitis (infection in the brain). In a few cases, fever signals the beginning of serious long-term illnesses such as certain types of arthritis and certain cancers.

What to do

Don't panic! If he or she is still running around and laughing at you, relax! Focus on getting the fever down. You can do this yourself at home. There is no need to run to your doctor or to the hospital. Give him or her a fever medicine such as paracetamol or acetaminophen. Give it as prescribed until the temperature is down.

A bath in regular tap water will help. Do not use alcohol. Common sense is equally important. Don't overdress him or her, no matter what grandma says! Offer him plenty fluids and monitor for danger signals.

• When to visit the doctor
• Visit the doctor if your child has any of the following danger signals:
• lethargy or listlessness
• unresponsiveness
• persistent headache
• persistent vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• refusing to eat or drink
• difficulty breathing
• seizures (if it's the first time)
• fever lasts more than three or four days
• immediately if your child is less than two months old.

Dr Carleene Grant-Davis is a consultant paediatrician and head, Department of Paediatrics, Cornwall Regional Hospital. Email yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.