12 Myths about Fever. What are the experts’ recommendations?

According to doctors, there are many myths about fever, including that fever is always a bad thing. The truth behind these myths can be discovered.

12 Myths about Fever

Many factors contribute to parents’ beliefs about how to treat fever in children, says pediatrician Anthea Rhodes from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, for ABC News. Some of these beliefs come from their culture or past experiences.

“Many of these beliefs are strongly held and passed down from generation to generation,” said Dr. Rhodes.

Many of these beliefs are based on myths and misconceptions, according to a recent study by Dr. Rhodes and his colleagues. They surveyed more than 2,000 parents, who provided data on 3,324 children, about managing fever in young children.

A few of these myths can be examined in a little more detail.

Myth: Any fever is bad for children

Fact: Fever activates the body’s immune system. Fever is one of the defense mechanisms of the human body. Most fevers have a beneficial effect on children, according to Parade.

Pediatrician Anthea Rhodes says a fever is a sign that a child’s immune system is working, usually to fight off a simple viral infection.

“The fever itself plays a role in the development of the child’s health,” she said. “In most cases, if a child has a fever, there will be some clues as to what is causing it.” ‘ it could be a runny nose or a sore throat, a stomach ache or a mild cough.”

• 37.8 ° C to 39 ° C – Low-grade fever: beneficial (helps the body)

Paracetamol (eg Panadol) or ibuprofen (eg Nurofen) is given for the symptoms of the disease (eg discomfort or pain). There is no need for drugs that reduce fever.

• 39°C to 40°C – Moderate fever: beneficial

• Above 40 ° C – Higher fever: causes discomfort. There is an increased risk of bacterial infections.

The child should consult a doctor because the cause of the fever may need treatment.

• Above 42°C – High fever: fever itself can be harmful.

Myth: A fever causes brain damage, or a fever above 40°C is dangerous

Fact: The idea that fever causes brain damage is one of these 12 fever myths. Fevers caused by infections do not cause brain damage. Only a body temperature above 42°C can cause brain damage.

The temperature of the body rises so much only with the high temperature of the environment, for example, if a child is trapped in a closed car in hot weather.

Myth: Anyone can have a febrile seizure (febrile seizure)

Fact: Only 4% of children have a febrile seizure.

Febrile seizures are rarely associated with high fever; they can occur at any temperature above 38 ° C in a few cases that occur in children.

Myth: Febrile seizures are harmful

Fact: Febrile seizures are scary to watch, but they usually stop within 5 minutes. It does not deal permanent damage. Most children who have had febrile seizures are no more likely to have developmental delays, learning disabilities or seizures than others.

Myth: All fevers should be treated with fever medicine

Fact: A fever only needs treatment if it causes discomfort.

This usually means a fever of 39°C or higher. A fever is the body’s way of fighting infection.

Myth: Without treatment, the fever will continue to rise

Fact: It’s among these 12 fever myths, and it’s wrong.

The brain controls the temperature of the body, it basically works as a thermostat and does not allow the fever caused by the disease to exceed 40.6 °C.

Myth: If the fever is high, the cause is real

Fact: If the fever is high, the cause may or may not be serious. If the baby seems very sick, it is more likely to be pregnant.

Dr Rhodes says 61% of parents thought a very high temperature was always a sign of serious illness.

“Children can feel very ill without a particularly high fever. And on the other hand, they can have a very high temperature and not be very sick. “

“So we encourage parents not to focus on their own value, but only on the child’s condition, how bad they feel or look, to interpret these signs to ask for help.”

Myth: With treatment, the fever should drop to normal

Fact: The idea is part of these 12 myths about fever. With treatment, the fever usually drops to just 1.1° or a little more.

Dr. Rhodes says parents should focus on treating the symptoms, not the fever.

Myth: If the fever does not go down, the cause is real

Fact: Viruses or bacteria can cause a fever that doesn’t respond to fever medications. Bacterial infections are more likely to be serious. Whether or not the fever medicine works is not related to the severity of the disease.

Myth: The exact temperature number is very important

Fact: Your child’s appearance (his general condition) is a better way to tell if he is seriously ill.

The exact temperature indicated by the thermometer is not always the best indicator.

Myth: A temperature between 37.1°C and 37.8°C is a low-grade fever

Fact: Normal temperature varies throughout the day. It reaches its peak in the late afternoon. In the evening, a child with a temperature of 37.5 ° can be very healthy, right Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A low fever is considered to be between 37.8°C and 39°C.

Myth: If a child has a fever it is essential to lower the body temperature by cooling it

Fact: Emergency cooling of the body is generally not recommended. This is one of the 12 myths about fever.

Perhaps the biggest misconception of the parents interviewed in the study was the belief that it always plays an important role in lowering a child’s body temperature if they have a fever, says Dr. Rhodes.

She confirms that it is only necessary to treat the symptoms associated with the fever, such as discomfort or pain, but the fever itself is not dangerous.

“It is important to keep the child in a comfortable place if they have a fever, but cooling the body is not recommended,” said Dr. Rhodes. “So we don’t advise removing their clothes to keep them cold, putting them under a cold shower, or giving them medicine just to bring their temperature down. “

Regarding the body temperature reading: A value of 37 °C is only the average temperature of the mouth or the ass. Body temperature fluctuates normally from a minimum of 36.4 °C in the morning to a maximum of 37.5 °C in the late afternoon.

The information presented in this article is not a substitute for medical advice. Ask your doctor for advice on diagnosis and treatment.