How To Treat A Fever
How To Treat a Fever at Home - by Dr Thabile Gcaba a leading Specialist Pediatrician in Kwamashu & Ntuzuma
Dr Thabile Gcaba, one of the best pediatricians in Ntuzuma & Kwamashu shares her expertise on this very stressful issue.
As a mother myself I know how stressful it can be when your child suddenly becomes ill.
This can occur at the most ‘inconvenient’ of times for example at 12 midnight, your child can suddenly wake up boiling hot.
Here are a few tips that I have devised to assist you at home in order to help prevent the occurrence of a scary complication such as a febrile convulsion.
As a mother myself I know how stressful it can be when your child suddenly becomes ill.
This can occur at the most ‘inconvenient’ of times for example at 12 midnight, your child can suddenly wake up boiling hot.
Here are a few tips that I have devised to assist you at home in order to help prevent the occurrence of a scary complication such as a febrile convulsion.
What is a fever?
- A fever is not detrimental but it is rather a normal physiological response to infection or illness.
- A normal body temperature should range between 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius.
- A fever develops when the body temperature rises above 37.5 degrees Celsius.
What to do at home ?
- Remove clothing and leave baby in a nappy or underwear.
- Switch on a fan or air-conditioner or go outside for cool air.
- Tepid sponge (pat with lukewarm towel or if baby is small enough then wrap in lukewarm towel for 10 minutes).
- Give the appropriate dose of Paracetamol syrup says Dr Thabile Gcaba
What not to do when your child has a fever:
- Do not immerse your baby in cold water and do not tepid sponge with a cold towel.
- Do not wrap in a blanket or warm clothing even if your child is shivering whilst having a fever.
- Do not overdose with medication.
Common causes of a fever:
- Acute infections (respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections etc.) are very common causes of a fever.
- Chronic infections (e.g., TB).
- Malignancy (cancer).
- Connective tissue diseases.
How To Treat a Fever at Home - by Dr Thabile Gcaba a leading Specialist Pediatrician in Kwamashu & Ntuzuma
Dr Thabile Gcaba, one of the best pediatricians in Ntuzuma & Kwamashu shares her expertise on this very stressful issue.
As a mother myself I know how stressful it can be when your child suddenly becomes ill.
This can occur at the most ‘inconvenient’ of times for example at 12 midnight, your child can suddenly wake up boiling hot.
Here are a few tips that I have devised to assist you at home in order to help prevent the occurrence of a scary complication such as a febrile convulsion.
As a mother myself I know how stressful it can be when your child suddenly becomes ill.
This can occur at the most ‘inconvenient’ of times for example at 12 midnight, your child can suddenly wake up boiling hot.
Here are a few tips that I have devised to assist you at home in order to help prevent the occurrence of a scary complication such as a febrile convulsion.
What is a fever?
- A fever is not detrimental but it is rather a normal physiological response to infection or illness.
- A normal body temperature should range between 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius.
- A fever develops when the body temperature rises above 37.5 degrees Celsius.
What to do at home ?
- Remove clothing and leave baby in a nappy or underwear.
- Switch on a fan or air-conditioner or go outside for cool air.
- Tepid sponge (pat with lukewarm towel or if baby is small enough then wrap in lukewarm towel for 10 minutes).
- Give the appropriate dose of Paracetamol syrup says Dr Thabile Gcaba
What not to do when your child has a fever:
- Do not immerse your baby in cold water and do not tepid sponge with a cold towel.
- Do not wrap in a blanket or warm clothing even if your child is shivering whilst having a fever.
- Do not overdose with medication.
Common causes of a fever:
- Acute infections (respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections etc.) are very common causes of a fever.
- Chronic infections (e.g., TB).
- Malignancy (cancer).
- Connective tissue diseases.
When to seek urgent medical assistance:
- If the fever is not resolving despite taking the previously mentioned measures seek urgent medical assistance.
- If baby is below 1 month of age.
- If the fever is on and off.
- If the fever is associated with loss of weight, loss of appetite and night sweats.
- If baby ends up fitting because of the fever (febrile convulsion) the call an ambulance or seek urgent medical assistance by driving to the nearest hospital and contacting your paediatrician.
Conclusion
We hope these tips from Dr Thabile Gcaba, your trusted paediatrician, will help you navigate through those unexpected fever episodes with your child in Kwamashu, Ntuzuma, Inanda and surrounding Durban areas. Remember, your pediatrician is just a call away for any urgent concerns and her practice conveniently situated in Life Mount Edgecombe Hospital.