TOP 5 FEVER MYTHS & FACTS
It is normal that children have a monthly fever. Parents should learn to keep calm and properly handle the high fever instead of being confused and panicked. Lack of experience and misconception about Fever on the contrary can hurt the baby!
10/13/2020 3:27:42 PM
Below are six common misunderstandings about fever by doctor Pham Thi Thuy Trang - Head of the CarePlus International Paediatrics Department. She synthesized and answered the 'TRUTH' that helps parents are more secure to take care of their children.
Myth 1: Fever is harmful to health
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FACT: Fever (38-40 degrees C) is a beneficial response by the body, helping to fight infection. When the body is attacked by agents like viruses or bacteria, the immune system sends signals to the brain, regulating hyperthermia to suppress these agents.
Myth 2: If a child is not given fever-reducing medication, the temperature will constantly rise and cause brain damage.
- FACT: There is a thermostat in the brain, so fever caused by infection is regulated between 38-40 degrees Celsius, not continuously increasing without medicine, occasionally increases to 41 degrees. When the body temperature is above 41 degrees (for example, when a child is left in a car or when a child has malignancies) the brain is at risk of damage.
Myth 3: The higher the fever, the worse the disease
- FACT: The level of a fever does not indicate the severity of the illness, but parents should pay attention to symptoms associated with fever such as persistent vomiting, sluggishness, tired breathing, irritability, and uneasiness.
Myth 4: When your child has a fever, give the child the antibiotic to get rid of the fever
- FACT: 8 out of 10 children have a fever caused by a virus (also known as a viral fever), while antibiotics are indicated in cases of bacteria. Therefore, taking antibiotics does not speed up the recovery of the child but increases the risk of drug resistance. This leads to antibiotics.
Myth 5: When the temperature returns to normal, there will be no fever again
- FACT: Only when the virus or antibiotics have been controlled by the body. The fever will not come back.
TREATMENT FEVER AT HOME
1. Indications for taking fever-reducing medicines:
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The child has a fever of over 38.5 degrees C
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Discomfort, crying, aching people
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Commonly used fever reducers are Acetaminophen or Paracetamol (Tylenol, Hapacol, Efferalgan) and Ibuprofen.
2. Encourage children to drink plenty of water and milk (drink in small portions) to limit dehydration
3. Let your baby rest and sleep when he/she wants it
4. Signs that your child needs to see a doctor as soon as possible:
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Children under 3 months
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The child has a fever for more than 3 days
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New purpura appears when the child is still fever
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Having severe signs: drowsiness, damp cold skin, cotton, tired breathing, vomiting everything, convulsions
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Children with comorbid diseases such as heart, cancer, lupus, anemia.