Fevers are not uncommon in the life of a family with young children. They occur in any season of the year. New moms are often unsure how to handle fevers the first time their baby gets one. Should they go to the doctor? Should they ride it out and see how long it lasts? Handle fevers with knowledge of what they are and why they occur.

Personal Story

My experience with fevers is significant. I had fevers when I was a child. They made me miserable! I also have cared for my children and grandchildren who have had fevers. As I became more knowledgeable, my children having a fever was less frightening.

What Is a Fever?

A fever is: “an abnormally high body temperature, usually accompanied by shivering, headache, and in severe instances, delirium.” Put in simple language, a fever is an unusually high body temperature. The body’s normal temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

The symptoms of a fever:

• Respiration increases
• Face flushes

Body temperature goes through changes throughout the day. It is lowest in the early morning and peaks at around 10 pm.

Why Do Fevers Happen?

Fevers are the body’s way of fighting infection. During a fever, the body increases the number of white blood cells. These white blood cells are like little soldiers that surround the germs that are invading the body. It is their job to remove the offenders that are trying to take over the body and cause illness. These germs are viruses or bacteria. These germs behave differently in our bodies.

Viral vs. Bacterial Infections

Viruses can cause illnesses such as the common cold, flu, and upper respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Viruses:

• may not respond to a fever
• do not respond to antibiotics

Bacteria can also cause bronchitis or pneumonia. Bacterial infections respond to:

• raised body temperature
• antibiotics

Fever Patterns

In Mommy Diagnostics, Shonda Parker wrote about fever patterns in a way that helped me when my children were young. What follows is a summary.

• High fever with cold symptoms is a sign of possible bacterial infection
• High fever without cold symptoms can signal a childhood infection
• Fever starting in the afternoon, is highest in the evening, is absent in the morning, and returns the next afternoon is a possible viral infection.
• A consistent fever throughout the day could be a bacterial infection. Note: Some viruses present consistent fever patterns for 3 to 5 days.
• Seek professional medical advice if the fever lasts 3 -5 days or shows symptoms of being a bacterial infection, such as dark green mucus later in the day.

The type of fever can show the state of a person’s immune system. When the body spikes a high fever that results in wellness quickly, it shows a strong immune system. With a low-grade fever that lingers, it shows a depressed immune system and sluggish healing.

Action

Prevention is the best medicine. Take steps to strengthen your immune system. For more information, see blogs 2, 34, and other blog topics on health and nutrition.

When fever is present, prevent complications by drinking plenty of water and other fluids. Watch for signs of bacterial infection and seek professional medical help when warranted. There are herbal remedies and other supplements that can support your body as it heals.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. How do you handle fevers?