A Parent’s Guide to Viral Fever in Kids: Safe Medicine Dosages & When to Call a Doctor

Viral fever in children is a common health condition that concerns a lot of parents, especially during certain seasons of the year when viruses are present in greater abundance. Knowing how to treat your child’s fever, what medications to give and when to contact the doctor can greatly impact the clinical course for your child and your own peace of mind. Here we are going to help the parents with useful information about managing viral fever and getting the lil ones to recover quickly. Read on.

Understanding Viral Fever in Kids

Viral fevers are typically caused by a viral infection (of a virus) such as the influenza virus, rhinovirus (common cold), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or other viruses like Cyclospora and Norovirus. Signs of viral fever in kids are:

• Elevated body temperature
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Cough or sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose

Causes and Symptoms

Fever from a virus is usually the body’s response to fight off infection. Fever is the most common symptom but may be accompanied with symptoms such as:

• Fever: The body temperature rises above a normal temperature (98.6°F or 37°C).
• Cough or Sore throat: A cough and sore throat may accompany the fever, indicating a viral respiratory infection.
• Fatigue: Your child may be more tired and less active than usual (however most children with fever do have thirst for activity).

Most viral fevers will run their course without any complications; however, it is important for parents to know the following: for children under the age of 5 years, there is a possibility of febrile seizures during illness and is just due to the rapid rise in temperature, which may be troubling at the time, but usually is not harmful.

Managing Fever at Home

How to Bring Down a Child’s Fever

The first thing you want to do when your child has a fever is to keep them comfortable and well hydrated. Here are some recommendations:

1. Dress Them Comfortably: Make sure that your child is not over dressed in heavy clothes or blankets.
2. Hydration: Ensure your child is drinking plenty of fluids during this time to avoid dehydration. Water, diluted juices, and ORS for kids are terrific choices of fluids.
3. Rest: Advocate for your child to rest and make sure they are resting to allow their body to recover.
4. Cool Compress: An option would be to place a cool damp washcloth on their forehead or neck to bring the temperature down.
5. Proper Medication: Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician before giving any kind of fever medicine for child.
6. Use ORS for Kids: It has been seen that ORS assists significantly in terms of treating high fever in toddlers.

Recognizing When to Call a Doctor

Most viral fevers tend to resolve without any medical intervention. However, there are particular circumstances in which you should seek medical attention:

• Very High Fever: If your toddler has a continuing high fever (over 102°F) longer than three days, see your physician.
• Febrile Seizures: If your child has a seizure, even if it is their first seizure, go to the Emergency Room (ER) immediately.
• Signs of Dehydration in Babies: Look for signs such as dry mouth, no tears, little to no wet diapers, and they seem unusually tired.
• Persistent Symptoms: If your child’s symptoms persist longer than they were expected to, or worsening in severity, or your gut feeling that something is wrong with your child-do not hesitate to contact your health care provider.
• Difficulty In Breathing: Signs of difficulty breathing should always be evaluated as soon as possible.

You can always use ORS for kids whenever the above situation arises as it helps in avoiding dehydration during the time of high fever.

Signs of Dehydration:

• Dry mouth and tongue
• Decreased urination (fewer wet diapers)
• Irritability or lethargy
• Sunken eyes or cheeks
• Cold or clammy skin

Conclusion

So, this shows how it’s hard work to manage a viral fever in young children, but knowing what a safe medicinal dose is, the symptoms of a viral fever, and when you need help from a medical professional can help reduce stress for you as a parent. If you follow the steps above, you will help your child be comfortable and on the road to recovery. Always feel free to reach out to your medical professional with any health concerns or questions.

If you’d like additional support, call Amrutha Hospital for expert advice and care.