A fever is not in itself "a disease". It is one of the body's natural responses to infection. The defence mechanisms of the body work more effectively at a slightly higher temperature to normal.
The normal symptoms of a fever are shivering and sometimes a paleness of the skin as the body's temperature rises. This is followed by sweating and flushing as the temperature falls.
Usually a temperature is not in itself an undue cause for concern and does not necessarily require any treatment except for comfort's sake:
bed, fluids, Paracetamol/aspirin and rest are usually sufficient.
IT IS BEST TO USE ONLY PARACETAMOL FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OLD.
They are best kept cool using simple measures only:-
The normal symptoms of a fever are shivering and sometimes a paleness of the skin as the body's temperature rises. This is followed by sweating and flushing as the temperature falls.
Usually a temperature is not in itself an undue cause for concern and does not necessarily require any treatment except for comfort's sake:
bed, fluids, Paracetamol/aspirin and rest are usually sufficient.
IT IS BEST TO USE ONLY PARACETAMOL FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OLD.
Children can quickly produce quite high temperatures with vigorous shivering and pronounced pallor, followed by marked flushing and sweating as they cool down again. While they have a raised temperature they can appear to be quite "ill", but as soon as they start to cool down (after flushing and sweating) they usually quickly improve.
They are best kept cool using simple measures only:-
- Removal of unnecessary clothing, especially in bed.
- Sponging with lukewarm water.
- PARACETAMOL (not aspirin) if necessary.
It is not essential to measure the temperature routinely using a thermometer or skin patch, unless there is a tendency to convulsions.
A child with a temperature will not come to any harm if wrapped up and brought to the surgery for examination - in fact they often benefit from the cooling down effect of the outside air!
The normal body temperature is 37°C or 98.4°F.
A child with a temperature will not come to any harm if wrapped up and brought to the surgery for examination - in fact they often benefit from the cooling down effect of the outside air!
The normal body temperature is 37°C or 98.4°F.
Further advice on common and rare illnesses and conditions is available through the approved site Patient UK which carries a vast amount of accessible and intelligble information.