Recommendations for mild fever in a child. Fever in children: types and treatment. Fever in a child. Correct assessment of causes

Fever is a protective reaction of the body designed to stimulate defense mechanisms. An increase in temperature helps improve immunity and prevents the proliferation of pathogens, viruses and cocci. The reasons for the rise in temperature are quite varied. Most often, fever occurs with infectious and acute respiratory diseases, but there may be an increase in temperature and a non-infectious nature: central genesis(trauma, tumor, burn, cerebral edema, hemorrhage), psychogenic (neurosis, emotional stress), reflex ( pain syndromes), endocrine; consequence allergic reactions and autoimmune processes. In most cases, elevated temperature It is not recommended to knock down sharply. It is necessary to give the body the opportunity to mobilize its strength and fight the infection; it is also important to monitor the temperature to find out the reasons for its increase.

But there is a risk group - children early age, caution is important here. Some infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis have severe consequences at untimely treatment. Moreover, fever occurs differently in children and it is important for parents to know what it is, know its symptoms and distinguish it from “pink fever”. If the child's skin is pink, moist and hot to the touch, and his health is satisfactory, this is “pink” fever. “White” fever in children is manifested by inadequate heat production and heat transfer. The child is shivering, the skin is pale, the palms and soles are cold, marbling of the skin occurs, tachycardia and increased blood pressure, the difference between rectal and axillary temperatures increases to 1 degree or more. In case of white fever, be sure to call ambulance. There is a danger of overheating of the body and the occurrence of seizures. Fever is especially dangerous for children under 3 months of age; as a rule, a serious bacterial disease is suspected; such babies are subject to hospitalization.

If the baby is in satisfactory condition before taking antipyretic drugs, you can try to reduce the temperature by increasing the amount of drink; after a year, this can be fruit drinks. Additional fluid is needed to relieve intoxication and thin the blood. You can wipe the baby with a sponge moistened with water or 40% alcohol (not used for “white” fever!).
Indications for taking antipyretics:
1.Temperature is above 39 degrees.
2. Temperature above 38 degrees, if there is convulsive readiness, heart disease, severe muscle pain and headaches, excessive excitement.
3. Children in the first months of life with a temperature above 38 degrees.

As antipyretics, you can use paracetamol, ibuprofen, in the form of children's suspensions and strictly according to the prescribed dosage.

It is unacceptable to use aspirin before the age of 15!

And you must remember that fever is not a disease, it is a symptom of a disease that needs treatment. Be sure to find out with your doctor what caused the fever in order to prescribe adequate treatment.

In this article, I would like to summarize the entire arsenal of available means for reducing body temperature for influenza, colds and other diseases, which have already been mentioned on different pages and in different sections of my site. Also give characteristics various types fevers (red and white) and talk about ways to reduce temperature in adults and children, as well as during pregnancy, since this topic interesting to many people and especially parents.

Let's immediately take care of the terminology, because an increase in body temperature in a person can be called both hyperthermia and fever. So that's the term fever can only be used when the temperature rises and thermoregulation changes as a result of the development of an infectious disease. And the term hyperthermia is used globally for any other non-infectious cases of fever (this may occur with heatstroke and overheating, with malignant formations, disruption of the thermoregulatory center of the brain, radiation sickness).

In general, fever is a protective reaction of the body to the introduction of an infectious agent (virus or bacteria) into the human body. When something foreign enters our body, hordes of protective blood cells called leukocytes and macrophages immediately rush to this place, which release endogenous pyrogens (interferons, cytokines, interleukins) into the blood - special substances that themselves are stimulants of leukocytes and macrophages ( this process can be considered as a way of transmitting information between these cells about a foreign agent that has entered our body), that is, they stimulate the body’s defense against viruses and bacteria, they also cause an increase in body temperature.

Based on the above, fever is a normal reaction of the body to the penetration of foreign agents and it is necessary to fight it when the temperature reaction exceeds a certain limit and becomes pathological and dangerous for humans. You definitely shouldn’t get carried away with antipyretic drugs - this only increases the recovery time, as we fight our pyrogens, which stimulate the body’s protective cells. Hence the long recovery times from common infections, and bad feeling in combination with low-grade fever(around 37 degrees) both during and other infections. And all because of the craze for powders and tablets for fever.

Stages of fever

Any fever goes through three stages in its development:

  1. Temperature increase.
  2. Maintaining temperature at a certain level.
  3. Decrease in temperature.
First stage- temperature increase. At this time, an imbalance begins between heat transfer and heat generation in the patient’s body. Normally, it looks like this - the heat generated in the body as a result of vital processes is balanced with the processes of heat transfer during external environment. As a result, temperature balance is maintained. Due to this, the human body temperature is approximately at the same level - the notorious 36.6 °C. As a result of the penetration of a foreign agent and disruption of thermoregulation, this ratio changes. As a result we have:
  • in adults, the body follows a more economical path of thermoregulation and reduces heat transfer to the external environment without significantly increasing heat generation, that is, in adults, the temperature rises mainly due to a decrease in heat transfer to the external environment;
  • in children, on the contrary, heat generation increases with relatively stable heat transfer, that is, in children the temperature rises mainly due to heating.
This is the fundamental difference in the organization of thermoregulation in adults and children in the development of pathological processes, which will be discussed below.

Thus, in adults, in order to implement the mechanism of heat conservation during an infectious disease, a spasm occurs at the first stage of development of the febrile process peripheral vessels, decreased sweating. The skin turns pale. A spasm of the muscles that raise the hair occurs, hence the so-called “goose bumps”. Trembling or chills appear (the mechanisms of the thermoregulation center of the brain are activated).

Then comes second stage- maintaining the temperature at a certain level. That is, when the temperature reaches its peak and the processes of heat transfer and heat generation balance themselves, but in this high point, not at the normal point. In this case, chills or trembling disappear and a feeling of heat appears due to the fact that the spasm of peripheral vessels passes and blood rushes to the surface of the body. The skin turns pink and becomes moist. Daily temperature fluctuations remain, but at the same time they occur within the limits of the excess temperature, that is, they decrease to 37 degrees or higher and then rise to their higher values. Typically, the temperature rises in the evening.

With recovery comes third stage, which is characterized by normalization of thermoregulation processes and a decrease in body temperature. It can be gradual or abrupt. The amount of pyrogens in the blood decreases, our brain perceives the temperature as increased and begins to use factors to reduce the temperature, that is, to increase the heat transfer of excess temperature. To do this, the system for removing fluid from the body is strengthened - sweating increases (the so-called heavy sweats), diuresis (urination) increases. The temperature is gradually returning to normal.

Thus, having become familiar with the processes of thermoregulation during development infectious diseases we can understand why in the first days of the rise in temperature we do not sweat, and when we recover, we can at least wring out our shirt and can move on.

Types and classification of fevers

According to the degree of temperature increase, they are distinguished:

  1. Low-grade fever (low-grade fever) means an increase in body temperature no higher than 38 °C.
  2. Mild fever - an increase in body temperature to 38.5 °C.
  3. Moderate fever - increased body temperature to 39 °C.
  4. High fever - an increase in body temperature to 41 ° C.
  5. Hyperpyretic or excessive fever is an increase in body temperature of more than 41 °C.
According to the nature of daily temperature fluctuations:
  1. Persistent fever is a long-term, stable increase in body temperature, daily fluctuations do not exceed 1 °C.
  2. Relapsing fever - significant daily fluctuations in body temperature within 1.5-2 °C. But the temperature does not drop to normal levels.
  3. Intermittent fever - characterized by a rapid, significant increase in temperature, which lasts for several hours, and then is replaced by a rapid drop to normal values.
  4. Hectic, or debilitating fever - daily fluctuations reach 3-5 ° C, while temperature rises with a rapid decline can be repeated several times during the day.
  5. Perverted fever - it is characterized by a change in the circadian rhythm with higher temperature rises in the morning.
  6. Irregular fever - which is characterized by temperature fluctuations throughout the day without a specific pattern.
  7. Relapsing fever is characterized by alternating periods of increased temperature with periods of normal temperature that last several days.
The above types of fevers can occur not only with ARVI or other colds, but also for malaria, typhoid fever and other diseases for which self-medication is unacceptable. Here and further we will consider standard option remitting fever, with temperature rises more often in the evenings and decreases in the morning, characteristic of a cold in its various manifestations.

Type:

  1. Red or pink fever (aka "hot").
  2. White fever(aka “cold”).
The fundamental point, especially in children, is that with white fever a spasm of peripheral blood vessels and arterioles occurs. That is, the process develops according to the adult type. In children, as mentioned above, an increase in body temperature with the development of an infectious pathological process occurs due to an increase in heat production, rather than a limitation of heat transfer (the latter type occurs in adults).

Patient management tactics and manifestations for red and white fever will differ.

Red fever (which is more common in children) is characterized by:

  • the skin is hyperemic, warm and moist to the touch;
    limbs are warm;
  • increased heart rate and respiration correspond to increased temperature;
  • the child’s behavior is normal, despite the temperature rising to high levels;
  • observed good effect from reception;
  • when wiping skin With vodka or cool water, the “goose bumps” symptom does not appear.
White fever is characterized by:
  • the child’s skin is pale or cyanotic (bluish);
  • cold to the touch and dry (especially arms and legs);
  • the child is lethargic, decreased activity, even despite low temperatures, incomprehensible agitation and delusional states are also possible;
  • tachycardia (increased heart rate) inappropriate for the elevated temperature and shortness of breath may be observed;
  • chills;
  • weak effect from taking antipyretic drugs.
What to do and how to reduce elevated body temperature

From all the material, you have already understood that it is better not to reduce elevated body temperature, since this is a natural protective reaction of the human body to the entry of viruses and bacteria into the body.

When to lower body temperature:

  • body temperature above 38.5 at any age;
  • body temperature above 38.0 in children;
  • body temperature above 38.0 in pregnant women;
  • body temperature above 38.0 in patients with epilepsy, convulsive syndrome, with increased intracranial
  • blood pressure, heart defects;
  • at any temperature during white fever.
Naturally, this applies to relatively healthy individuals who do not have chronic or other aggravating pathologies. There are people who cannot tolerate increased temperature; above 37.5 they almost begin to fainting, convulsions appear, such persons need to lower the temperature to lower values.

The same applies to pregnant women; high temperatures can harm the baby in the womb. Thus, prolonged high temperatures can have a teratogenic effect and lead to disorders of embryonic development (in particular, cardiovascular and nervous system child). On later, a prolonged increase in temperature can lead to changes in the placenta and premature birth. In any case, it makes sense for a pregnant woman to consult a doctor (call her at home) if the numbers on the thermometer are high. Pregnant women should definitely not allow the temperature to rise above 38 degrees, and it is necessary to start reducing it at lower values.

This does not apply to cases when, due to natural self-love, we reach for antipyretic drugs, even if the temperature has not reached its peak and balances around 37-37.5. We must endure. Yes, it will be bad, but there are enough physical methods for reducing temperature that allow you to lower your body temperature by a couple of degrees without chemicals and this is enough to alleviate the condition, but the healing process will not be slowed down external factors(taking pills, powders and tablets).

To reduce temperature you can use physical methods and chemical methods (use medicines).

Physical methods of reducing body temperature

Their essence is to increase the body's release of excess heat into the external environment. How this can be implemented:

  • do not wrap a person in extra feather beds and blankets;
  • dress cool enough, in light natural fabrics that will absorb sweat and not disturb heat exchange;
  • You can use rubbing (with vodka or cool water with vinegar (1 tablespoon of 6 percent vinegar per liter of cool water)). We wet the sponge in the liquid and wipe the patient, Special attention We pay attention to places where they pass closely blood vessels: wrists, neck area and joints of the arms and legs. Naturally, we do this not in drafts, so as not to freeze the patient. You can put a napkin soaked in regular cool water on your forehead (no vinegar is needed so as not to irritate delicate skin).
Despite their apparent simplicity, these methods make it possible to reduce body temperature by 0.5-1 degrees and this is often enough; in addition, they do not inhibit the development of the body’s protective reactions and do not grossly interfere with thermoregulation processes. They can be repeated over time and used more often than medications over the same period of time. In addition, they can be used at lower temperatures, and not just above 38 degrees and above, thus alleviating the suffering of the patient.

Medicinal (chemical) methods of reducing temperature

Currently, they are represented by a huge number of different antipyretic drugs; I have indicated in more detail the tactics of their use, the composition and mechanism of action of popular antipyretic drugs in.

Just remember that you should not use aspirin to reduce fever during flu, especially in children - it can cause dangerous complication Reye's syndrome. In general, it is better not to use this drug to reduce fever in children or adults with a cold.

Also, you should not use such products at elevated temperatures. traditional methods like tea with raspberry jam or steam in a sauna or bathhouse, this is an additional load and additional degrees to an already heated body. These procedures will not bring any benefit to the body; it will cope without them, responding to the infection with an increase in temperature.

The need for sufficient water regime runs like a red thread throughout the entire article. You need to drink a lot and enough (watch for edema in people predisposed to it and especially in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy; it’s best to look at the legs, where they appear faster and are easier to diagnose). Children are forced to drink against their will; for this you can use any liquid (just not soda, rich in chemical sweeteners and flavors), but ordinary water, tea, with or without lemon, compotes, fruit drinks. You can use salt solutions, such as rehydron (sold in pharmacies).


And finally, I will describe the tactics of behavior for white fever in children, since the topic worries many and the approaches to relieving this condition differ from those for standard pink fever:
  • use the same antipyretic drugs as for standard pink fever (paracetamol and drugs derived from it) in an age-related dose;
  • nessesary to use antispasmodics to eliminate spasm of peripheral vessels. No-shpa, which is so advised to be used for white fever on forums, should not be used, since it is necessary to relieve spasms internal organs and deep vessels, it is better to use drugs such as Papaverine or Nikoshpan (a mixture of no-shpa and nicotinic acid);
  • hands and feet must be warmed with a heating pad or rubbing;
  • give drinking plenty of fluids V mandatory while controlling urine output.
If within an hour after the above procedures the temperature does not decrease, this indicates serious violations and you need to see a doctor (call an ambulance).

Like this defense mechanism how fever is discussed in the article. Now you know what types of fevers there are and what needs to be done to reduce the temperature in adults, children and pregnant women.

It seemed that just an hour ago the little one was cheerful, inquisitive and sparkling with cheerfulness. But then the eyes sparkled, the cheeks turned red, and the laughter gave way to crying and whims. With a familiar gesture, mommy reaches out to touch her forehead, after which she immediately runs for a thermometer. That’s right: the baby has a fever. Sound familiar? And as often happens, family members are tormented by thoughts: what caused such changes in mood and behavior and is it worth lowering the temperature that has arisen for no apparent reason?

Symptoms of fever in children

In terms of its frequency, fever in children (nothing more than fever or fever) occupies almost the first place among symptoms various diseases. An increase in body temperature is a reaction to the action of all kinds of pathogenic factors (bacteria, viruses, their decay products), and it is not advisable to bring it down to a certain extent - the unreasonable and unjustified use of antipyretics can negatively affect the body's resistance.

There are several types of fever in children. So, depending on how high the body temperature is, fever is divided into:

  • Low-grade fever, when the thermometer shows 37-38 °C;
  • Febrile (moderate – 38-39 and high – 39-41 °C);
  • Hyperpyretic if temperatures exceed 41 °C.

In addition, the febrile state is divided by duration:

  • Ephemeral (usually the temperature returns to normal after a few hours or days);
  • Acute (fever lasts up to two weeks);
  • Subacute (the baby can be sick for about a month and a half);
  • Chronic (cannot cope with the disease for more than six weeks).

By clinical manifestations Fever in children is divided into pink and white (pale). The first option is more favorable, since in this state the amount of heat given off by the body is approximately equal to its production. The baby's skin is pink (hence the name) and warm, general health quite satisfactory.

With white fever, the symptoms in children are more pronounced and noticeably more severe. The baby exhibits behavioral disorders - he may become capricious, lethargic, or, conversely, act too excited. The skin becomes dry and pale, the child shudders, the extremities become cold, and the lips and nails acquire a bluish tint. This condition is fraught with quite serious complications: convulsions, delirium, hallucinations.

Causes of fever in children

Since an increase in body temperature is a kind of protective reaction of the body, there can be countless reasons for fever in children.

The most common culprits of this condition are viral and bacterial diseases. Please note that symptoms may vary depending on the infection. Fever in children can also be caused by various disorders endocrine system, tumors and even common allergies.

Don’t forget: a child’s body’s thermoregulation mechanism is imperfect, so ordinary overheating can also lead to an increase in body temperature. If a toddler has been walking in the sun for a long time or a caring mother has wrapped him in “seven clothes and all with fasteners,” then it is quite predictable that after some time he may feel unwell and then develop a fever.

Treatment of fever in children

If we talk about the use of antipyretics, then this issue must be approached with the utmost caution. First of all, you need to take into account the extent to which the child feels unwell, what symptoms accompany the fever, and how serious its manifestations are.

If the baby has a fever, those around him must follow certain rules for caring for him:

  • Be sure to provide your child with rest and bed rest;
  • Under no circumstances should you try to persuade your baby to eat - eating only at will. Food should be easily digestible and liquid (various broths, purees, porridges and jelly). It is better to forget about fatty, spicy and fried foods;
  • Drink as much warm water as possible. Try to give it in small portions, but often - the body needs to replenish the fluid lost through sweat, urine, and breath;
  • While the temperature remains at high level, you cannot bathe your child. IN as a last resort wipe it with a warm, damp towel;
  • Monitor the thermometer in the room. If a baby is sick, the room should be about 25-26 °C; for older children, a temperature in the range of 22-23 °C is acceptable.

Reduce heat slightly without using medicines You can use warm compresses on the forehead or general rubdowns. Cold should not be applied under any circumstances, as this can provoke vasospasm, and as a result, a deterioration in the child’s condition. Also, the recently popular method of wiping the skin with diluted alcohol or vinegar can also play a cruel joke. The fact is that, penetrating through the pores, such solutions can lead to poisoning of the body, and this will further aggravate the already sad situation.

Returning to the question of taking antipyretic drugs in the treatment of fever in children, it must be said that it is most advisable to prescribe them at a body temperature above 38 ° C. Don't forget to watch general condition baby: if the state of health worsens every minute, the child is pale and shivering, then the medicine must be given immediately.

Which method should you prefer? Naturally, as safe as possible. Modern pharmacology abounds various medications, specially designed for children and having antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. IN Lately physicians have abandoned the use of aspirin and analgin in pediatric practice, giving preference to drugs containing ibuprofen or paracetamol.

When giving any medications to a child, you must carefully follow the dosage according to age, and in no case increase it. If your baby has white fever, much less seizures, call an ambulance as soon as possible.

Text: Tatyana Okonevskaya

4.85 4.9 out of 5 (27 votes)

Fever in a child: what to do?

It is difficult to remain calm and sober in thought when your baby’s mercury thermometer goes beyond 38. High fever is much more difficult for children than for adults, and if not treated promptly, it can lead to tragic consequences.

A pediatrician told our magazine about how to properly help a child with a fever.

An increase in temperature in a child is probably one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor. The term fever refers to an increase in temperature in armpit above 37.1 °C or rectal temperature above 38 °C.

Normal in both adults and children Body temperature equal to 36.5 °C. It is usually measured in the armpit. Hold the thermometer under your armpit infant can be difficult, so you can measure the temperature in the mouth or rectum, but keep in mind that it will be about 0.5-0.8 °C higher.

How to measure temperature correctly?

When measuring temperature, you can use either a mercury or an electronic thermometer. Although instant temperature thermometers are generally not very accurate.

Under normal conditions, body temperature fluctuates during the day within 0.5 °C. In the morning it is minimal, in the evening it increases.

Very warm clothes, yes heat environment, hot bath, physical exercise increase body temperature by 1-1.5 °C.

Hot food or drinks can increase the temperature in the mouth, so temperature measurement should be done before meals or an hour after it.

A slight increase in temperature is possible in cases where the child is acting restless, crying.

Causes of high temperature in children

The most common causes of fever are infectious diseases. Changes in weather, long journeys, overstimulation weaken children's body, and any infection may cause an increase in temperature.

In young children the temperature may jump due to simple overheating. Very caring parents, having wrapped the child in a warm room, they create a “micro-steamhouse” for him, effectively

Children in the first two months of life do not yet know how to “give off” heat.

Another reason for a rise in body temperature may be teething , but it should be remembered that in this case the temperature is usually does not rise above 38.4 °C.

What kind of fever is there?

An increase in body temperature is a natural protective process, aimed at mobilizing the body’s own forces, increasing immunity, since microbes do not tolerate elevated temperatures well, stop in their development and even die. This is why the temperature does not always need to be lowered.

Fever (high temperature) may be low-grade fever (up to 38 °C) and febrile (more than 38 °C). Also emit fever "white" and "red" types.

  • "Red" fever

    • With “red” fever, the skin is pink, moist, hot to the touch, the child’s behavior practically does not change. This fever is easier to deal with.

  • "White" fever

    • With “white” fever, the skin is pale with a “marble” pattern, the tint of the lips and fingertips may be bluish, and the baby’s arms and legs are cold to the touch. Characterized by a feeling of cold and chills. Increased heart rate and shortness of breath are observed, and convulsions may occur.

How to reduce the temperature?

It is necessary to reduce the temperature if it is more than 38.5 °C. Exceptions are situations if the child does not tolerate an increase in temperature or his age is less than 3 months; in these cases, it must be reduced already at 38 ° C. The most important thing is don’t panic! It’s better to calm down and think about how to help the baby.

More liquid!

With a fever, as a rule, appetite decreases sharply, and you need to come to terms with this. The main thing is that the child has enough breast milk, and at high temperatures - additional drinks. A child with a fever should drink more than a healthy child. An increase in body temperature causes increased evaporation of fluid from the skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

You need to drink more!
For every degree of increase in body temperature, the child should receive fluids 20% more than the daily norm.

If the baby is on breastfeeding, then in the event of an increase in temperature, the use of medications, appears the need to supplement it with water, even if you haven't done it before. Children over 6 months can be given warm (slightly warmer) room temperature) tea, cranberry and lingonberry juice, infusion linden color, as well as an infusion of fennel and chamomile.

Little ones should be put to the breast more often and given water or chamomile tea. Even if the child is capricious and dissatisfied, be persistent. Only Do not give too much liquid at once so as not to provoke vomiting.

Fresh air

Try to maintain the air temperature in the room no higher than 22-23 ° C, ventilate the room more often. Do not wrap your child up with a cotton blanket.

From the home medicine cabinet

Of the drugs recommended, mainly those where active substance is paracetamol . These are “Paracetamol”, “Panadol”, “Efferalgan”, “Tylenol”, “Cefekon D”, etc. They are produced in the form of syrup, rectal suppositories, tablets. Single dose paracetamol is 10-15 mg/kg (up to 1 year from 50 to 120 mg at a time), can be repeated up to 4 times a day.

If paracetamol does not help, children from 6 months can be given Nurofen syrup (Ibuprofen) ( daily dose- 5-10 mg/kg, divided into 4 doses). It is possible to take the drug from 3 months, but only as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor.

It should be remembered that aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is contraindicated for children under 15 years of age! Analgin is prescribed only by the attending physician according to strict indications.

When the temperature rises, especially in infants, do not self-medicate, call a doctor. A specialist will help to correctly assess the severity of the child’s condition and prescribe adequate treatment.

Folk remedies for fever

Physical methods of cooling are used: the child must be undressed, a cold compress must be placed on the forehead and changed periodically, the body must be wiped with a mixture of water and vodka in equal quantities (wipe, but do not rub the baby, otherwise it will cause the opposite effect). The procedure can be repeated several times until the temperature drops to 38 °C.

You can do an enema (always reduces body temperature by 1 °C). The enema is given with water at room temperature. For children 1-6 months - 30-60 ml, from 6 to 12 months - 120 ml. But this method should not be abused.

Attention: special occasion!

With “white” type fever, the temperature does not drop well due to spasm of the blood vessels in the extremities, which is why the child’s feet are cold. In this case, you can additionally, in addition to antipyretic, give the child Papaverine or No-shpu (¼-½ tablet), and at the same time antihistamine(Suprastin, Fenistil, Zyrtec) and give the child hot tea.

You can apply a cold compress to your forehead, but You cannot wipe the child. You need to put woolen socks on your baby and wait until your feet become warm and your skin turns pink.

See a doctor urgently!

If the temperature has not decreased 30 minutes after taking paracetamol or even rises, loose stool or seizures, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Be attentive to your baby. Even if the child’s condition is apparently good, you need to remember the likelihood of unfavorable dynamics and be on alert.

If during a fever a person’s body turns pale, and his temperature goes far beyond 38 degrees, then this is the first sign of white fever. Most often it appears in young children; adults are rarely bothered by this condition. Whenever of this disease It is necessary to get as much body as possible and achieve a normal pinkish skin tone.

What is white fever

A normal fever is a reaction of the body in which the body temperature begins to rise sharply. This happens due to a virus or harmful bacteria entering the body. A protective reaction is activated in the body, causing the temperature to rise rapidly and severe chills and aches to appear. But this serious condition It does not arise in vain, because most infections begin to die at high temperatures. Our immunity enters the active stage of the fight against disease.

White fever also occurs as the temperature rises, simultaneously causing chills and aches. But distinctive feature is a change in the shade of the skin - the person simply turns pale. Severe lightheadedness and weakness appear, and the extremities become cold. If this condition occurs, it is necessary to reduce body temperature in the near future; this is usually done with the help of Paracetamol or Ibuprofen tablets.

White fever in a child

White fever almost always occurs in childhood This is less common in adults. Therefore, it is worth paying close attention to studying the first symptoms of white fever and its treatment.
What a parent needs to know about childhood white fever:

How it proceeds. First, the body temperature rises sharply. A high temperature reading is recorded for some time. After taking measures, the temperature drops (sharply or gradually) to normal levels.

What are the symptoms?. Symptoms of white fever are varied, and they can also occur individually or all at once:

  • dyspnea;
  • lethargy, weakness;
  • aversion to food and water;
  • cardiopalmus;
  • dehydration;
  • narrowing/dilation of blood vessels;
  • pale skin;
  • blue lips;
  • cold extremities;
  • capricious state, crying.
Causes. The main cause of white fever in a child is the presence of a severe infection. If this state occurs in a baby under 3 months, it is necessary to call an ambulance in the next few minutes and go to the hospital.

How to treat it. First of all, the child needs to be provided with regular, plenty of fluids: warm fruit juice, dried fruit compote, green tea. Then give him antipyretic drugs: Panadol (paracetamol) or Nurofen (ibuprofen). You can wipe the child with a damp cloth soaked in water at room temperature. Under no circumstances should you wrap yourself in a warm blanket. After examination by a doctor, antibiotics will most likely be prescribed.



How to calm a child. During a feverish state, parents need to stay close to the child all the time, try to distract him with interesting conversations, you can take him in your arms and hold him close - this will make the baby calmer and more comfortable.

The danger of white fever for a child according to Komarovsky

Any type of fever (including white fever) negatively affects the child's condition. If measures are not taken in time, the situation can only worsen.

Experts have found that three percent of children with white fever develop febrile seizures, which negatively affect the development of the central nervous system.


Another adverse effect of white fever is dehydration. Therefore, parents should give their child fluids to drink more often. If the child’s condition worsens, call an ambulance immediately.



During white fever, the following medications should not be taken:
  • "Aspirin" (acetylsalicylic acid);
  • "Analgin" (metamizole);
  • "Nimesulide".
Under no circumstances should the following measures be taken:
  • Wrap the child in a blanket or dress him warmly.
  • Wipe with vinegar, vodka or other alcohol-containing products.
  • Severely reduce the temperature after the onset of convulsions.
  • Force-feed the child (in this case, the body’s forces are spent on digesting food, and not on fighting the disease).

Increased body temperature in a child (video)


For a more detailed study of white fever and methods of combating it, we suggest that you watch the video in which Dr. Komarovsky talks in detail about the increase in body temperature in a child.

White fever in an adult

In adults, white fever is rare and usually occurs against the background of infectious diseases or complications. Sometimes it occurs with a head injury or brain tumor. In very rare cases with allergies.

What an adult should know about white fever:

  • How it proceeds. One of the first signs of the disease is a rise in high temperature, and with white fever it is accompanied by severe chills, aches, pallor and weakness. Taking medications against fever is sometimes useless. After some time, the patient’s condition stabilizes, the temperature drops, and the skin color returns to normal.
  • What are the symptoms?. The main symptom of white fever in an adult is vasoconstriction, pallor and high temperature. Secondary symptoms include trembling, cold hands and feet, chills and weakness. Possible blue lips.
  • Causes. First of all, any fever occurs due to a special reaction of the immune system to the appearance of an infection in the body. White fever provokes vascular system to provide maximum blood and warmth to the internal organs, which is why the limbs begin to turn pale and cold.
  • How to treat it. White fever is not treated; it is not a disease, but a simple reaction of the body to the appearance of an infection in it. The disease that causes white fever needs to be treated. If the patient's temperature is too high (more than 39 degrees), then he should be given antipyretic drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen), then invite a doctor for an examination to establish a diagnosis and prescribe more effective medications. In some cases, treatment with antibiotics will be required.

    Before the doctor arrives or the ambulance arrives, the patient can be given antispasmodics (“Drotaverine”, also known as “No-shpa”), rub the limbs and drink plenty of liquid. If after a few hours the patient does not feel better, the temperature does not subside, and the white fever does not go away, then he must be urgently hospitalized.

  • Patient care. When a patient is in a state of white fever, he must be surrounded with care and attention, offered to take medications and try to follow the rules of patient care.
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