13 March 2019 Body temperature varies depending on several factors, including: Age; Degree of activity; Time of day; Place of the body where it is measured. A child is considered to have fever when its body temperature reaches the values given in the table below: Less than 3 months Between 3 and 24 months More than 24 months Rectum > 38,0ºC Rectum > 38,3ºC Rectum > 38,0ºC Armpit > 37,2ºC Armpit > 37,5ºC Armpit > 37,2ºC Ear > 37,5ºC Ear > 37,8ºC Ear > 37,5ºC What causes the fever? During the first few years of life, children may have fever in various circumstances , without this in itself being a cause for concern. As a rule, isolated fever is not dangerous and the degree of temperature increase above normal levels (fever) is not a direct indicator of the severity of the child's disease. Fever can be the result of various situations , including: Too much clothing; Vigorous physical exercise; Exposure to hot environments; Exposure to viral or bacterial infections. In the context of the body's response to an infection , fever brings about the activation of the immune system which then allows the child to defend themself against the infectious agent. What should be done when a child has a fever? When it is suspected that a child has a fever, a thermometer should be used to measure body temperature in one of the following areas: Rectum - in babies (rectal temperature); Armpit - in older children (axillary temperature); Ear canal (tympanic temperature). How is fever treated in children? Fever is treated to prevent the discomfort and complications associated with increased body temperature. To lower a child's body temperature , you can try the following: Administer a medicinal product to reduce the temperature (antipyretic) in accordance with the medical indications; Keep the child as warm as possible, without wrapping it up: it is better to dress it in light clothes and cover it with just a sheet or a cloth nappy; Keep the area cool; Place the child in a lukewarm bath (if necessary). The water temperature should be about 2°C below the child's body temperature; Increase fluid intake, as loss of water from the body during fever increases dehydration and should therefore be prevented; Don’t force the child to eat solid food. Fever in children: when should medical assistance be sought? For older children, the family doctor should be contacted if body temperature reaches 40°C (104°F) or more. Other than this, it is very important to monitor the child and its behaviour in order to be able to determine the severity of the disease. By assessing the child’s overall condition , you will get a more reliable indicator of the severity of the situation than just taking the degree of increase in body temperature into account. Some physical or behavioural changes can point to serious illness. In short, urgent medical care should be sought for children who: Appear exhausted (very sleepy and/or unreactive); Are markedly irritable; Have marks on the skin that do not disappear when pressure is applied to them; Have difficulty breathing; Vomit repeatedly and persistently; Have fever and are less than 3 months of age; Have a body temperature of 40°C (104°F) or more; Have a fever for more than three days that does not appear to be improving. At the hospitals and clinics in the Hospital da Luz network, there are paediatric specialists who monitor the health of children and young people. This article was written by the pediatrics doctors from the Hospital da Luz network . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
