High Temperatures in Children
Treating a fever or high temperature in children
High temperature or fever in children under five years of age, is a temperature of 38C (100.4F) or higher.
A high temperature is very common in young children and more than 60% of children between 6 months and five years old have suffered from fever.
A virus infection, such as a cold, is what usually causes a high temperature, and can usually be treated at home. A high temperature can cause concern to parents and carers, but most children recover without problems after a few days.
How to tell if your child is suffering from fever or high temperature
Your child may suffer fever if they:
- Feel warmer than usual when you touch their foreheads, back or stomach
- sweating
- cheeks are red
If you suspect that your child has a fever, you should check their temperature with a thermometer.
- Cheap digital thermometers are available from your local pharmacy, supermarket or online.
- Forehead thermometers should not be used as they can give wrong results.
- Read more about how to take your child’s temperature.
How to look after your child with a fever
To help keep your child comfortable, you should:
- encourage them to drink enough fluids – offer breast-feeding regularly if you are breast-feeding
- give them food if they want to eat
- look for signs of dehydration – these can include a dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes and, in babies, less wet nappies
- look at your child from time to time during the night
- keep them away from the nursery or school – tell the nursery or school that your child is ill
- avoid bundling in too many clothes or bedding
- get more tips on caring for a sick child read the following site:
NHS Direct: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/treating-high-temperature-children/
Alaw Davies BA Head of Plant y Cwm Enterprise Ltd Specialist childcare service provider
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