WHAT IS FEVER
A fever is a medical sign characterized by a body temperature that is higher than the normal core temperature of 37.9 degrees Celsius. The core temperature is the temperature of the blood that surrounds the hypothalamus in the brain and it is different from the surrounding body or skin temperature. The average human body temperature is 36.4 to 37.2 degrees Celsius. The body becomes feverish when it responds from a pyrogen brought about by a viral or bacterial infection.
MEASURING BODY TEMPERATURE
There are four sites in the body where you can take a more accurate temperature reading in case of fever and they are: the rectum, the mouth, the ear, and the armpit. If there's fever, a reading of more than 38.8 degrees C will register if taken through the rectum, more than 37.8 degrees C in the mouth, more than 37.2 degrees C in the armpit, and more than 38 degrees C if taken through an ear thermometer. Doctors recommend using an ear thermometer especially for small children to prevent accidental breakage of a mercury thermometer.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO TREAT FEVER IN CHILDREN?
Normally, most people recover from fever without specific medical attention. Taking in lots of liquids and fruits rich in vitamin C helps in recuperating. Sponge baths using tap water are also advised. However, it is best to give medicine to children with fever especially to those with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases, metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, and those at risk for febrile seizures.
Febrile seizures or Benign Febrile Convulsions (BFC) are considered as a condition that is not so serious for children between 6 months to 6 years of age. This condition is hereditary and the patient's condition usually returns to normal after the seizure. However, children having convulsions should be brought to the doctor for proper diagnosis. I remember that my brother was around 3 to 4 years old when he had seizures and this always happens when his fever reaches 39 to 40 degrees C. When he was confined, his doctor took some liquid from his spinal column to rule out the possibility of meningitis. Thankfully, it was just benign febrile convulsion.
PARACETAMOL VS IBUPROFEN
Common medications given to children in treating fever are Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Paracetamol is given every 4-6 hours while Ibuprofen is given every 6-8 hours which shows that the latter has a more lasting effect. However, Ibuprofen should not be taken by people allergic to the said substance and they should be given Paracetamol instead. If the patient is allergic to Paracetamol, Ibuprofen is the best alternative.
(IBUPROFEN) DOLAN FP
I take Ibuprofen for my migraine and, at least for me, it works better than Paracetamol. But aside from being a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory (anti-pamamaga) drug, it is also effective in treating fever. The orange flavored syrup of Dolan FP will definitely be appealing to kids. I should know because I tasted it during the event, haha!
WIN THIS!
I'm raffling out these Dolan FP goodies to one lucky "discerning mommy." You can get a Dolan FP water tumbler, a Dolan FP cap, some Dolan FP samplers, and a digital thermometer. Here's how you can win:
- EARN 2 RAFFLE POINTS: Be a fan by liking The 24 Hour Mommy Page. Then click the Facebook Share button at the beginning of this post and share a tip about caring for a child with fever by posting this in your Facebook wall:
- @The 24 Hour Mommy, when my child has fever I _________________________________ to make him/her feel better.
Please be reminded that your post's privacy setting should be set to EVERYONE for it to appear in the fan page wall. If in case you are having problems in making your posts appear in the fan page wall, don't hesitate to place a comment to this post so I can help you. - EARN 1 RAFFLE POINT: Share your tip about caring for a child with fever by placing a comment in this post.
SPECIAL PRIZE!
I'll be picking the best tip among the lot and award 1 Myra Vita Moisture Lip Balm! This means that you can win the Dolan FP goodies in the raffle and win this lip balm, too. :)
This contest is open to all Philippine residents as I'll be shipping the prizes to the winners. Deadline of submitting entries is on September 30, 2010 11:59 p.m. I'll be announcing the winners on October 2, 2010.
Special thanks goes to Unilab for starting The Discerning Mommy program and for sharing these wonderful treats. You can follow the Unilab Facebook page or follow them over Twitter to be updated on their latest products and promos.
Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Just joined this fabulous contest!!
ReplyDeleteHere is my first entry:
http://www.facebook.com/pinaymommybiz?v=wall&story_fbid=150807198284108
The 24 Hour Mommy, when my children has fever I let them take Ibuprofen to make them feel better!
ReplyDeleteWhen my child has fever I give him Dolan FP Forte every 6 hours and I put Kool Fever on his forehead to make him feel better.
ReplyDeletewhen my child has fever, i never leave him.. im always at his side checking if his okey or not.. and be sure to give him ibuprofen Dolan FP on time.. walang papantay sa pag aalaga ng isang ina.. mabuhay ang mga nanay!
ReplyDeletei also posted on fb:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1354744245
when my son has fever I always gave him IBUPROFEN DOLAN FP (orange flavor,it is his favorite) and put wet towel on his forehead to make him feel better.
ReplyDeleteand here is my first entry..
http://www.facebook.com/cristina.sunga?v=wall&story_fbid=150714118295019
Thank's and Goodluck to all! :)
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteHere's my tip for about caring for children with fever...
This is an experience that I don't want to ever happen again to my son. I remember he was admitted to be confined to the hospital because of dehydration during his fever (my son was just 1 year and 6 months that time).
From then on, I followed the pedia's advice to try and give them lots of fluid to drink. You can give them milk, soup or juices, because you won't know if they're hungry or not whenever they have a fever.
Btw, I also joined the FB contest.
Here's my post:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1167892582
Hi there Mommy Kim here, When my child has fever, I give him plenty of fluids like water, juices and soups to prevent dehydration and help the body cool itself, make sure he gets plenty of rest, I dressed him in a light cotton shirt and pj's so the heat can't be trap on the body that might cause temperature to rise.
ReplyDeleteMost of all I give him (IBUPROFEN) DOLAN FP for faster fever relief and to make him feel better :)
Here's my entry on FB :)
http://www.facebook.com/The24HourMommy?v=wall#!/kimberly.calub?v=wall&story_fbid=119182328135606&ref=mf
I'm joining! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen my child has fever, I try to make my child more comfortable simply by removing excess clothing, making sure she gets plenty of cool fluids to prevent
dehydration, giving her a lukewarm bath to cool
her skin and giving her a warm, big hug and (IBUPROFEN) DOLAN FP
to help lower the fever or for faster fever relief and to make her feel better. :)
When my child has fever, I try to make my child more comfortable simply by removing excess clothing, making sure she gets plenty of cool fluids to prevent
ReplyDeletedehydration, giving her a lukewarm bath to cool
her skin and giving her a warm big hug and (IBUPROFEN) DOLAN FP
to help lower the fever or for faster fever relief and to make her feel better. :)
here's my FB post
http://www.facebook.com/The24HourMommy?ref=ts#!/profile.php?id=100001476654730&v=wall
Make them feel loved all the time, most specially during the times they are sick, this will make them feel better...
ReplyDeleteWhen my child has fever, I make sure he gets water/juices/ fluids a lot to prevent
ReplyDeletedehydration, plenty of rest,giving a sponge bath make him feel fresh and clean, a tsp. of IBUPROFEN DOLAN FP every 6hrs is a must to relieve fever faster and lastly nothing beats a warm hug and a kiss from me! It will surely make him feel better ^_^
here's my fb post:
http://www.facebook.com/simply.rbc
when my child has fever I always give water or fruit juice,and fresh fruits. I always check and wipe his back to prevent pulmonia,and of course giving him Ibuprofen dolan for faster relief.
ReplyDelete