Brought to you by Easofen for Children.
Fever is one of the most common reasons that parents attend a doctor’s surgery or the emergency department, but do you know what to do if your baby has a high temperature?
Body temperature is considered to be normal when between 36ºC and 36.8ºC. Temperatures between 37.5ºC and 38ºC are considered low grade fever, and medically, a person is not considered to have a significant fever until the body temperature is above 38ºC.
Babies’ temperatures – like adult temperatures – can rise slightly for all kinds of reasons, from physical exertion to a warm bath to being a little overdressed. Even time of day can have an impact, with body temperatures rising in the late afternoon and dropping in the early morning. A common cause of fever in babies and children is a viral infection.
How to measure temperature
Rectal temperatures are the most accurate, especially when it comes to temperature reading in a baby or child younger than three years old. Only a rectal thermometer will tell you the true core temperature, and even ear thermometers aren’t known to be nearly as accurate.
Ear thermometers (tympanic) are easy to operate and many have these in their homes nowadays. But remember that the reading will be slightly lower than the actual body temperature. These are best used in babies and children over six months – under six months it will not be as reliable.
What to do if your baby has a fever:
1. Don’t panic, but do monitor your little one’s temperature with a thermometer. Although keeping a check on their forehead or back with your hand is also advisable, if you do end up seeing a doctor they will want to know more specific measurements.
2. Keeping your baby cool by gently sponging them down with lukewarm (but not cold) water and letting the water dry naturally on their skin.
3. Don’t overwrap the baby, or cover your little one up more than you usually would. Do offer plenty of fluids (without forcing) since an increase in body temperature can quickly lead to dehydration. If breastfeeding, feed on demand to make sure they are being kept hydrated.
4. Infants usually only become distressed once their temperature rises above 38-38.5ºC. If your baby or child has a history of febrile seizures, it is not advisable to let their temperature rise too much.
5. Give your baby fever-reducing medicine, carefully measuring the dose according to your child’s age (preferably with a medicine syringe). Easofen for Children Strawberry Oral Suspension is a great option for babies over three months old*, as it reduces pain and fever including: teething pain, earache, headache, sprains and strains, sore throats along with cold and flu symptoms.
6. Never give aspirin to children under 12 years of age.
Contact your GP for advice (or go to your local emergency department if their surgery is closed) if:
- Your baby’s temperature is high and they are less than three months old. A blood and urine test will usually be ordered, since infants are at greater risk of serious infection.
- Your child is drowsy, listless, or, on the contrary, very irritable.
- If they have had a febrile seizure for the first time.
- If the fever is accompanied by vomiting.
- If your child is breathing heavily (you will notice this by their ribs), quickly, or making unusual noises when breathing.
- If a rash appears on the skin that does not disappear when pressed (this can indicate meningitis).
*This product should only be given to infants aged 3-6 months who weigh more than 5kg.
Brought to you by Easofen for Children.
Easofen for Children Strawberry 3 months plus and Six Years Plus Suspensions helps to relieve children’s discomfort by reducing pain and fever.
