Child and family
Children need a lot of care and attention. Due to their young age and lack of experience, many things may happen to them without being able to express them. Parents need to monitor and follow the child constantly. They should not rely on the child to tell them everything in order to protect them. . One of the risks to children is to change their body temperature; a child can not distinguish between natural temperature and its rise or fall from the normal level.
What is the temperature of the body
The temperature of the body reflects the ability of the human body to produce or eliminate heat, in order to maintain the temperature of the body within a certain range and constant, despite the large differences in temperature in the surrounding environment.
Natural temperature in children
The normal temperature for children is 37 ° C. The normal body temperature ranges from 36.3 ° C in the early morning to 37.6 in the late evening. Each child has a specific temperature range of a different child, Body temperature up to 38 ° C may result from exercise, taking a hot bath, walking in the hot air, or even wearing a lot of clothes.
Methods of measuring body temperature
The temperature values of the body vary according to the area used for measurement. The body temperature of the child can be measured in several ways, including:
- Under the tongue : It is by placing the electronic thermometer or normal under the tongue and close the lips tightly, and after the time period of time is taken reading as it is.
- Anus : It is resorted to if the children are young, and mostly in infants, in this way some Vaseline is placed on the top of the balance, and the child turns on his stomach in the mother’s lap or on a comfortable place, and then enter the balance gently inside the anus no more than On 1 cm, and keep the balance inside the anus for the specified period with the balance, then take the reading and subtract half a degree Celsius to get the most accurate reading of the body temperature.
- Underarm : This method is not accurate measurement, such as those that depend on the examination through the mouth or anus, and here put the head of the balance in the middle area of the armpit, with the closure of the arm, and waiting for the period specified on the balance, and then take the reading, which may be as low as A full cent of reading is taken orally.
- Inside the ear : The electronic balance is usually used to measure the temperature from inside the ear. The measurement is done by pulling the ear down and back if the child is under 12 months of age to facilitate the entry of the balance, while the ear is pulled up and back if the child is over 12 months old, Gently and cautiously into the ear towards the drum, and then run the balance, wait for the specified time and take the reading after that.
- From the forehead : This balance is used in the form of plastic tape, placed on a dry area of the forehead and waiting for the period specified on the balance, and then taken reading before removing the balance on the forehead, and this method is less accurate than others, so if the child is less than 3 months or The temperature was high, higher than 39 ° C, preferably by using another measurement method.
- Using a lollipop : A thermometer in the form of a sucker or a gift, placed in the mouth of the child, to be sucked for a specified period, and then give a reading To body temperature , This method is also not accurate, preferably again check the validity of the temperature using a different measurement method if the child’s age is less than 3 months or the temperature is higher than 39 degrees Celsius.
Causes of high temperature in children
High temperature is a natural response to the human body when infection or a particular disease, high temperature is a symptom or a sign of the presence of disease, not a disease itself, so the disease must be treated causing high temperature, in addition to trying to reduce the temperature of the body, Children’s temperature is as follows:
- Infection, high temperature helps the body to fight disease and kill germs, it is worth mentioning that the extent of temperature rise does not necessarily reflect the seriousness of the disease or not, simple inflammation may lead to a large temperature rise, while serious disease may rise slightly the heat.
- Frequent clothing in the hot air may lead to high temperature of children, especially in newborns, because their bodies are still unable to regulate the temperature of the body as other older children, and because the high temperature in newborns may be a sign of the presence of serious disease, consult with the doctor In the event of high temperature they have even if I think that a lot of clothes are the cause.
- Giving vaccinations to infants and children may be accompanied by a slight rise in body temperature, and this is not to worry.
Treatment of high fever in children
To relieve symptoms of fever and fever in children can follow the following tips:
- If the child is tired, antihypertensive drugs such as Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and doses that are appropriate for the child’s age and weight can be used as prescribed by the doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not give antihypertensive drugs if the child is under 3 months old before being introduced to the doctor to find out why the temperature is high.
- To reduce the clothing worn by the child, and replace them with light and cool clothing; to help the body to get rid of heat.
- Avoid using ice baths or cold compresses, which may cause chills and fever.
- Give the child plenty of water and fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Giving the child the freedom to eat what he wants, and not being forced to eat if he does not want to.
- Help the child to rest and sleep, preferably not to leave home or go to school or nursery during the illness.
Low body temperature of the child
The decrease in temperature occurs when less than 36 ° C and may occur due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold or exposure to cold currents, etc. The child has some symptoms, such as: tremor, cold limbs, loss of concentration, lack of perception, etc. In the heat quickly it may cause cardiac arrest and death.