Causes of fever A fever is usually caused by a germ infection, such as a cold or flu virus or bacteria that cause throat or ear infections. Fever is just a symptom Fever is just a symptom, not a disease, but just a defense mechanism of the body to fight infection. It is usually harmless. It is helpful to have a fever to mobilize the immune system to work against the germs and thus try to get rid of them. The main purpose of some of the methods we usually use to reduce fever is to help combat the discomfort and illness associated with fever and to make the child feel better, but it is more important to look for the cause of the fever. What is fever? A normal person’s body temperature varies with age, state of health, activity level and time of day. Infants tend to have higher body temperatures than older children. During the day, everyone’s body temperature is relatively high between the afternoon and evening, while the body’s temperature is relatively low at midnight and early morning. How much clothing a person wears also affects body temperature. Fever is defined as a higher than normal body temperature. The average normal body temperature for a person is 98.6°F (37°C), and the normal temperature range is between 97.5°F (36.4°C) and 36.4°F (37.5°C). Most pediatricians consider a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) to be feverish. Rectal, ear, or forehead temperature: 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher is considered feverish. Oral temperature: 100°F (37.8°C) or higher is considered feverish. Axillary Temperature:99°F (37.2°C) or above is considered feverish. Measurement of body temperature It is recommended that a variety of digital thermometers be used to measure your child’s temperature. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the use of mercury thermometers in the home to prevent accidental injury and poisoning. Signs and Symptoms of Fever When a child has a fever, he/she may feel hot, have a red face, sweat more than usual, and be thirstier than usual. Some children feel fine when they have a fever. However, most illnesses that cause fever may have accompanying symptoms such as earache, sore throat, abdominal pain, and rash. These symptoms provide important clues to finding the cause of the fever. Fever and Crying Fever itself does not cause your child to cry more or unusually. Frequent crying with fever may be caused by pain, such as hidden causes including ear infections, urinary tract infections, sore throat and meningitis. Can a fever burn the brain? A normal fever does not cause brain or nervous system damage unless it persists at a high temperature of 41°C or more. Fever is often caused by germs that enter the brain and cause encephalitis, meningitis, and neurological damage. Therefore, it is the germs that enter the brain that cause “brain damage”, not the fever. Fever and antipyretics Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe and effective antipyretic medications that can relieve your child’s fever-related discomfort and lower his or her body temperature. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are over-the-counter medications available at grocery stores and drugstores in the United States (and, of course, freely available at drugstores in China). While antipyretics are readily available, there are a few things to keep in mind: 1. Ibuprofen should only be used in children 6 months of age and older. You should not give your child ibuprofen when he or she is vomiting frequently or is dehydrated. 2, If your child is vomiting and unable to take an oral antipyretic, a rectal suppository may be needed. 3, Aspirin should not be used to treat your child’s fever or discomfort. Aspirin has side effects such as stomach upset, gastrointestinal bleeding, and in the worst cases can lead to Reye’s syndrome. 4.Before giving your child any medication, be sure to read the medication instructions to make sure that this medication and its dosage are appropriate for your child’s age and weight. Also, if your child is taking other medications at the same time, be sure to check their ingredients. If the other medication includes acetaminophen or ibuprofen, ask for your doctor’s help to avoid an overdose of fever-reducing medication that could lead to liver or kidney damage in your child. (Many of the country’s children’s cold medicines, such as Good Doll, Eucerin, Pediatric Aminophenol Flavonoid, and Diphenhydramine, contain acetaminophen as an ingredient.) Consult with your doctor first about medications for babies younger than 2 years of age.