Managing fever in your child

With the current unstable weather, fevers are extremely common in children. Research indicates that 40-60% of children suffer a raised temperature annually. The body’s normal temperature is around 37 Degrees Centigrade. This, however, can vary according to the time of day and the age of the child. Generally, fevers happen when your child’s immune system is fighting off infections such as colds, coughs and ear infections.

Taking temperature in your child

There are various ways to check for fever in a child:

Oral

The thermometer is inserted under your child’s tongue, the mouth is closed and the reading is taken.

Rectal

The thermometer is gently inserted into the rectum (your child’s bottom) of of the child and reading is taken.

Armpit

The thermometer is placed under the armpit of the child and the arm is held against the side of the body while a reading is taken.

Ear

A digital thermometer is inserted into the ear and a reading is taken.

Remember, the temperature can vary according to the part of the body where it is measured. So, always take the temperature at the same site for consistency.

Tips to reduce fever in your child

If your baby seems unwell or distressed, then you can consider giving them doctor recommended pain relievers. Other tips include:

Dressing the child in light clothing
Ensuring a comfortable room temperature to keep the child cool. Be careful not to make it too cold
Using a sponge soaked with lukewarm water on the child. Remember not to use a sponge soaked in cold water as this will have the opposite effect and can actually raise your child’s temperature.

DON’T MISS: WHEN YOUR CHILD HAS FEVER