Sunday, December 6, 2009

How to Cure Infant Fever?

A normal body temperature ofa baby should be about ninety eight degrees Fahrenheit. If it becomes one degree to three degrees above its normal value, then it is considered asa fever. An infant’simmune system is not fully formed and not as efficient in fighting off infections especially on the first few months of the baby’s life. This is the reason why it is very important to learn how to accurately take a baby’s temperature. In case it gets higher than the normal temperature, you need to know how to cure infant fever.

baby fever

Fever can be caused by a lot of things. However, more often than not, fever is caused by an infection. When the body’s immune system perceives a ‘trespasser’ like a certain bacteria or virus, a chemical message is transmitted to the brain’s temperature center making the inside of the body hotter than the usual. Sometimes, it is better to be thankful if a baby has a fever because it tells us that there may be an infection and that something is wrong.

If a baby is not more than two or three months old, it is crucial that he or she gets a proper medical attention. Fever on babies of four to six months, depending on the gravity, can be well taken care at home. Be sure to keep the appropriate and accurate thermometer, while the digital one is probably much better. If the baby’s temperature spikes up beyond the normal temperature, give your baby plenty of fluids to drink in order prevent dehydration. This also helps in cooling the baby’s body, thereby decreasing the possibility of making the fever even higher. Plenty of rest is also recommended for the child to feel much better afterwards. Ensure that the baby gets plenty of sleep when sick. Moreover, you can keep the room temperature at around seventy to seventy four degrees Fahrenheit as much as possible. This also helps the body temperature cool down. Dressing the baby in light cotton fabric will help the heat escape from the body.

A bath in lukewarm water can also sometimes help lower a fever. Before the bath however, acetaminophen may be given to the child. In the event that the baby is chilled especially after the bath, remember to put on an extra blanket and monitor it closely. As soon as the chills stop, remove the extra blanket to help maintain the temperature of a child. Be mindful of how the medicine is given. Always read the label for instructions.

Taking these steps on how to cure infant fever helps, but if you feel that it is going out of hand, immediately call your pediatrician. Especially if the baby experiences constant vomiting and diarrhea, or a fever that comes and goes for a couple of days, seizures, stomach pains, skin rashes, unusually high pitch crying, sore or swollen joints, wheezing or problems breathing, swelling of the soft spot of the head, and limping or unresponsiveness, it is crucial to take action at once. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

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