When your child has a fever, you have a judgement call to make. The time will come when you have to take them to the doctor or even the Emergency Room. So when is that point?
It varies, according to the age of your child, but the last thing you need when you're worried is vague advice. That can actually make things worse. So, keep the following simple rules in mind and you won't go far wrong, although this is isn't medical advice and you should still consult your physician if there's any doubt.
When Is a Fever Dangerous?
If your child is six months old or less then they are vulnerable. You should treat any fever as a medical emergency. A 6-12-month-old child is stronger. However, if the fever lasts for more than 24 hours or exceeds 39 degrees Celsius, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
When your child is older than one year, you can start to make judgement calls. But any fever beyond 39 degrees or a fever that lasts more than a day is still a cause for concern.
Fever Can Be a Sign of Serious Illness
Rushing to the hospital might seem like a panic measure, but fever and the underlying infection can kill. You simply have to play it safe. That's especially true if you don't have a diagnosis and you don't know what is wrong. Of course, you can't rush to the doctor with every sniffle, especially if you live in a remote place. So, sometimes you have to just keep an eye on your child and let them ride it out.
There's a fine line, though. You don't want to be that overly anxious parent and you don't want to be a hypochondriac. But a fever, or the infection itself, can get out of hand in a hurry. So you need to keep a close eye on your child when they're running any kind of temperature.
Even Flu Can Kill
The flu virus killed more than 60 children in the United States this year alone and fever doesn't just strike with flu. It's a general defence against infection as your body raises the temperature to kill the germs in your system. It's clever, but it isn't a perfect system. It can also be a symptom of a life-threatening viral or bacterial infection.
So, when your child has a fever then you have to monitor them and make sure their temperature doesn't spike. That's a sign that the infection has effectively beaten your child's natural defences and you need medical intervention.
But we have all been guilty of checking in on our sick kids during the night and deciding not to disturb them with a thermometer. It's an act of kindness that has had fatal consequences more than once. Is there a humane way to keep a constant eye on your kids' health? Absolutely.
How to Monitor Your Child's Temperature
The Fevermates stick-on thermometer is a simple way to monitor your child and make sure they are through the danger zone. You can leave them on for up to 48 hours. Then you'll know at a glance if you need to call in the doctor, rush to the ER, or leave your child to sleep and beat this one naturally.
They're latex-free, hypo-allergenic and their cartoon animal-style will put a smile on your child's face. So, leave the thermometer in the cupboard and monitor your child's fever with the Fevermates stick-on temperature indicator. Rest assured, you'll know exactly when this goes beyond growing pains and turns into a full-blown medical emergency. And of course, if you have any concerns, seek medical advice from a Doctor or qualified medical practitioner.
Looking for some tips on how to combat winter flu symptoms? Check-out FeverMates' Top Tips For Staying Flu Free This Winter blog.