The child has a temperature of 38, what should I do?

A temperature of 37 in young children causes parental concern. On the one hand, this is not a fever when you urgently need to bring down high performance. On the other hand, low-grade body temperature (37.1-37.4 ºС) may indicate the inability of the child’s body to resist the disease to its full potential. Before giving medicine or rushing to the doctor, you should make sure that the readings are measured correctly.

Low-grade fever may be a sign of the body's inability to resist illness

Normal body temperature for babies

Every parent is obliged to know what the normal temperature is for a 6-month-old child, because this will help provide the necessary assistance for illnesses, as well as prevent the baby from being treated with unnecessary drugs.

The first step is to assess the general condition of the child: is he calm or screaming, active or lethargic. The temperature of 6-month-old children cannot be measured immediately after the baby has cried and screamed, or immediately after feeding. These factors will affect the temperature, and the mark will be too high.

It is best to measure the temperature of children 6 months old in several doses to obtain more accurate information. The norm for such babies is considered to be an interval from 36.2 to 37 degrees.

Temperature 37 lasts a very long time

Let's talk separately about such a symptom as a slightly high temperature, which can last a long time (9-10 months), and sometimes more than a year.

If the thermometer reading remains above normal for 4 months, then this sign may indicate the development of the following pathologies:

• viral hepatitis, • oncology, • tuberculosis, • autoimmune disease, • systemic lupus erythematosus, • pathology of kidney function, • increased thyroid function.

In order not to miss the development of one of the above diseases, the child should be taken for examination to a pediatrician at the first symptoms of illness. 1. Mild icterus of the sclera and a temperature of 37°C in children under 1 year of age requires a full range of examination for an autoimmune disease or viral hepatitis. 2. Sleep disturbance, irritability, small rashes on the body - helminths or allergies. 3. Coughing, mild malaise and sweating in children under 4 months require additional examination of the lungs.

Therefore, regardless of the child’s age (4 months or 9 years), if there is a slight increase in temperature, which occurs without symptoms and has persisted for the second or fifth month, consult a doctor. In any case, the child's behavior will change, he will become more passive, irritable and drowsy. You should pay attention to everything and carry out thermometry in a timely manner.

The examination includes: • laboratory tests (blood, urine), • stool analysis for the presence of worms, • fluorography, • electrocardiogram, • ultrasound.

In addition, the child needs to be shown to: • a neurologist, • an infectious disease specialist, • an endocrinologist, • an ENT specialist.

What to do and how to treat the disease that caused the increase in body temperature will be decided by the doctor after a full course of examination.

Why does a 6 month old baby have a high fever?

There is nothing worse than when your baby is sick. If a 6-month-old child has a fever, then parents arm themselves with all sorts of remedies - from folk remedies to medications. But you shouldn’t rush to give them to your baby; you need to first identify the reasons for the rise in temperature. First, call the children's local doctor to your home, who will examine the baby and give recommendations for treatment.

There are many reasons for an increase in temperature in a 6-month-old child, including infectious diseases, teething, and overheating. Each factor is worth talking about in more detail.

Is low-grade fever considered normal?

Once the accuracy of the measurements has been confirmed, teething and recent vaccinations should be excluded. These factors allow values ​​to increase to 37.2-37.5 ºС and require a wait-and-see approach. Also, low-grade fever may indicate imperfect thermoregulation, which does not require treatment.

You should worry when an increase in temperature is accompanied by malaise: chills, lethargy, coughing, sneezing. Here it is worth showing the baby to the doctor and finding out the cause of the illness.

Teething

If a 6-month-old child’s temperature only rises at night, then most likely the culprit is the teeth, which at this age begin to actively erupt. Parents will be able to understand that teeth will soon appear if the baby actively chews on his toys and everything that falls into his hands - the mother’s hands, a bottle, a diaper, a breast. During teething, the gums turn red and salivation increases.

Many children experience a rise in temperature during teething, which most often occurs only at night. But there are also babies whose temperature lasts around the clock.

Overheat

If the house is stuffy, hot, or the mother simply overdid it and dressed the child very warmly, then his temperature may rise. In this case, the baby will be lethargic and capricious, as if he were sick.

The first thing to do is to balance the ambient temperature. If this is a room, then place a window for ventilation, and during this time take the baby to another room so that there is no draft through it.

Remove excess clothing from the child, you can even leave him to lie naked. Wipe your chest, back, palms and heels with a damp cloth, and let your baby drink water at room temperature.

Doctors around the world recommend keeping the room temperature no higher than +20 degrees. This will not only avoid overheating, but also strengthen the immune system.

Allergies and stress

Two more factors that can cause fever in a 6-month-old child. At this age, porridge, juices, fruit purees, and fermented milk products are introduced into complementary foods. If after you let your child try something new, his temperature rises, call a doctor immediately, it could be an allergic reaction.

If the reason for the rise in temperature is fear or stress, then provide a calm environment, pay more attention to the baby, and show your love in every way.

Diseases

Of course, viral diseases can affect a baby’s fever.

1. “Childhood” diseases, such as chickenpox, whooping cough and measles, do not occur without an increase in temperature, which can be much higher than 38 degrees. With such diseases, the fever will last for quite a long time - up to several days, and it will be difficult to bring down the temperature.
2. Poisoning and E. coli. These diseases affect young children who get acquainted with new objects not only visually, but also taste them. A cat's tail, a book, an unwashed toy, or any other object that gets into the mouth of an inquisitive baby carries the danger of being infected with E. coli. Make sure that toys and children's utensils are thoroughly washed and sterilized.
3. Bacterial infections penetrate the body of a child with a weakened immune system. The category of bottle-fed babies is especially susceptible. For example, after a common acute respiratory infection, bronchitis or even sinusitis may develop. The temperature rises both at night and at any other time.
4. Viral diseases. Children, more than adults, are susceptible to infection with viruses that can be picked up in a store, public transport, while visiting, in contact with other people, or even without contact. Viruses move freely through the air, and in order for a child to get sick, an infected person does not even need to kiss or hug him. After the virus has entered the baby’s body, the temperature will rise within 2 days. You can protect your child; to do this, you need to stay away from closed, crowded rooms during epidemics, leave the baby at home when visiting public places, and parents wear gauze bandages to protect themselves as much as possible from infection.

Sea temperature without symptoms

Parents often travel with their babies to the sea. Air, sun and water in moderation are good for the baby, but sometimes his temperature rises. The reason for this is:

• Acclimatization after two days of stay at the resort. A slight increase is natural; it indicates the body’s adaptation to new conditions and is accompanied by lethargy and moodiness.
• Food poisoning, in which the temperature reaches 38 degrees, indigestion and vomiting occur. It usually goes away within three days, but requires a doctor's examination.
• Sun, heatstroke, which are accompanied by increased pulse and heart rate, vomiting, headache. This condition requires urgent medical attention.

While the child is at sea, the temperature may rise due to acclimatization. Why does the baby have a temperature of 37º?

When the reading is 37.1 ºС in a 3-month-old child, it is important to focus on the baby’s condition. When he is active, eating and sleeping well, there is no cause for concern. In the first month of life, 37º C for a baby is considered normal. Doctors distinguish transient hyperemia - a condition when in the first hours of life a newborn’s temperature rises to 38 ºС, then drops to 36.5 ºС and again rises slightly to 37.2 ºС. They explain low-grade fever by physiology:

• Newborns. 37.1 ºС in newborns is a variant of the norm. Most often, such indications occur in premature babies. The formation of thermoregulation can last up to a year.
• First 4 weeks. A variant of the norm is a temperature of 37.1-37.5 ºC per month in a baby after vaccination against viral hepatitis. Another reason is the continued formation of thermoregulation.
• 2 months. In a 2-month-old baby, low-grade fever is observed after vaccination against pneumococcal infection or due to the continued development of body temperature with age.
• 3-4 months. During this period, the baby is vaccinated against tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and pneumococcal infection. After vaccination, the baby’s temperature may rise to subfebrile levels within 3-5 days. This is the norm, but it is important to carefully monitor the baby’s well-being.
• 5 months of age. At this time, mothers begin to feed their babies and low-grade fever may be caused by a reaction to a certain product. This is confirmed when the child has a tummy ache, loose stools, and flatulence.
• Six months. At six months, many babies have an increase in temperature due to teething. It can last up to 5 days. It is worth taking all measures to ensure that the process of teeth coming out is painless. There are special gels for this, and when the baby is too restless, you can give an anesthetic.

An increase in temperature to subfebrile levels can be observed after routine vaccinations

Overheating of the baby

In many cases, the cause of a rise in temperature in a child is overheating. The baby does not have developed sweat glands, through which sweat is released in hot weather. Overheating under a layer of warm clothing, he does not sweat. A caring mother sees this and thinks that the baby is cold and wraps him up even more.

Infants tolerate overheating worse than cold. The face turns red, heat rises, and prickly heat may occur. In such a situation, you should reduce the temperature in the nursery to 22 ° C and humidify the room. It is important to immediately change the baby into light cotton clothes, attach it to the chest or give water from a bottle. The fever will gradually go away without medication.

Protein complementary foods

The mother's first protein supplement is introduced at 6-8 months. When the daily diet contains a lot of protein products (eggs, cottage cheese, meat puree) and little plain water, the baby may experience protein fever. It is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 37.5 °C and above, and a sharp decrease in the frequency of urination. Sometimes a large fontanel may become sunken. The child drinks greedily, but does not give the impression of being sick. In this case, it is important to give the baby water often, then the symptoms of fever will gradually go away.

Dysbacteriosis

Violation of the intestinal microflora also causes an increase in temperature in an infant. Beneficial microbes in the intestines die, giving way to harmful ones. The toxins they release enter the bloodstream and cause fever. It is accompanied by poor appetite and unstable stool. In this case, it is important to give a test that will confirm dysbacteriosis and undergo treatment from a doctor.

What does a temperature of 37 and additional symptoms mean?

Usually, up to six months, babies rarely get sick with viral and bacterial infections. Contact with society is limited, but even in this case, diseases can be picked up at the clinic during a routine appointment or infected from one of the family members. After the 6th month of life, the risk of getting sick increases. Complementary feeding begins and contacts with other children begin, which increases the likelihood of contracting rubella, chickenpox, and ARVI. A condition that requires special attention is when the baby’s fever is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• lethargy, weakness – the onset of an infectious disease;
• runny nose - allergies, colds;
• cough is a symptom of allergies, colds, incipient bronchitis, pneumonia;
• hoarse voice – tonsillitis, measles, laryngitis, influenza, asthma, pneumonia, measles, diphtheria;
• vomiting – food poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases, encephalitis, meningitis;
• diarrhea – intestinal infection;
• headache - ARVI, flu, sinusitis, thermoneurosis, intoxication;
• abdominal pain – sore throat, measles, acute respiratory infections, whooping cough, food poisoning, appendicitis, foreign body in the stomach.

Infectious diseases of the baby are fraught with complications - pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis. It is important for the mother not to miss their start, to show the child to the doctor on time and to get appointments. Low-grade fever can persist for a long time after taking antibiotics and severe illness.

In this case, treatment is not required, but the situation must be kept under control. Repeated runny nose, cough and other symptoms indicate a relapse or the addition of a new infection. It is important to consult a pediatrician to prevent complications and find out why the temperature rises.

What to do if the temperature stays at 37 for more than a week?

An occasional increase in temperature usually indicates overheating or measurement errors. In this case, it is important for parents to monitor the condition of the baby and record changes in the diary. When the baby is active and nothing bothers him, treatment is not required.

If low-grade fever persists for more than a week, you should not rush to take antipyretics. In any situation, even if the baby feels well, it is important to take the following measures:

1. Find out what is bothering your baby - pain, runny nose, cough, etc.
2. Maintain a drinking regime - elevated temperature disrupts water-salt metabolism and provokes dehydration. You should put the baby to your breast more often or give him water from a bottle. Older children can be offered cranberry juice and dried fruit compotes.
3. If your health suddenly deteriorates (wheezing, vomiting, convulsions, difficulty breathing, fever due to antipyretics), call an ambulance, otherwise make an appointment with a doctor.
4. Create a comfortable microclimate in the baby’s room – moderate humidity, air temperature 21+22 °C. In a dry, hot room, ARVI in infants is often fraught with complications in the form of bronchitis, otitis, and pneumonia.
5. Dress your baby in light clothing if he is not chilly. A thin knitted blouse and rompers are ideal. While sleeping, the baby can be covered with a thin fleece blanket.

Often a child has a temperature of 37 or higher after vaccination. It is important for the mother to monitor the baby’s condition and report any changes in his health to the pediatrician. Antipyretics in this case should be given judiciously, since the vaccine can cause hypothermia. The action of paracetamol or ibuprofen will only worsen the situation.

At elevated temperatures, the child’s body loses a lot of fluid, so it is necessary to regularly replenish its supply.

When and how to lower the temperature?

If the baby’s temperature has not reached 37.5 °C and passes without symptoms, it is not recommended to bring it down (this can weaken the child’s already imperfect immunity).

At values ​​of 37.7-38.2 °C, it is worth using safe physical methods (compresses, wiping with water). If the thermometer readings exceed 38.4 °C (fever), you need to use medications with ibuprofen or paracetamol.

An assistant to young mothers in raising healthy babies, Dr. Evgeniy Komarovsky, believes that a temporary increase in temperature does not pose a threat. However, in order not to scold themselves later for slowness and sluggishness, parents should show the baby to a competent doctor.

The dangers of low-grade fever

With a low-grade fever, an infant may not be bothered by anything, but apparent well-being can be deceptive. A prolonged, even slight increase in temperature can signal hidden problems in a child’s body - anemia, helminthic infestation, infections, brain disease. They can only be detected through a thorough medical examination. When no pathologies are identified, attention should be paid to strengthening the baby’s body’s defenses.

Preventive measures

A prolonged increase in body temperature leads to chronic stress in the body. When doctors convince you that this is a variant of the norm, you should still try to bring the indicators to 36.6. Prevention of fever includes hardening, proper daily routine, regular walks, identification and treatment of foci of infectious diseases. These measures strengthen the immune system, help establish thermoregulation and cope with low-grade fever.

The normal body temperature of an adult is 36.6 degrees. Any increase or decrease in blood pressure, even a slight one, is a sign of malaise. But the body of children under 12 months is significantly different from that of adults. Therefore, when an infant’s temperature is slightly higher than the generally accepted norm, there is no need to panic and worry without understanding the reasons for its occurrence.

The optimal body heating rate for an infant is 36.2-37.2 degrees. Pediatricians explain the constant jumps in this range by the fact that the child’s body adapts to the environment during the first 12 months of its life, so slight fluctuations in temperature during the day are quite natural. Usually in the morning the thermometer readings are slightly lower than in the evening.

The positive side of increased temperature

Fever is not a definite independent disease. Immunologists argue that an increase in body temperature is a protective reaction aimed at eliminating damaging factors. That is, the immune system begins to intensively fight bacteria, microbes, viruses, which at high temperatures cannot reproduce in the body, and many of them die altogether.

During a fever, protective cells, phagocytes, begin to actively multiply and feed on pathogenic bacteria and viruses, helping the body recover faster. The higher the temperature, the more active the fight against the disease is.

In addition to phagocytes, interferon is also produced, which affects the very focus of the causative agent of the disease.

The main causes of low-grade fever

When we are talking about a baby 6-9 months old, a slight increase in the mercury column can be observed during teething. The baby becomes restless, puts all the toys in her mouth, is capricious, and cries. But the main symptom is increased salivation, swelling and redness of the gums. In this state, the temperature can rise within 37.2 - 38.5°C.

In addition, the following pathologies can be the causes of hyperthermia:

• allergy, • infectious disease, • tumor process, • acute form of inflammatory disease, • chronic form of the disease at the acute stage, • surgical pathology, • endocrine disorder, • immunodeficiency.

The most common illness among children is the common cold, especially when the weather is bad. This disease is transmitted by airborne droplets and is accompanied by other symptoms such as cough, runny nose, general malaise and headaches.

Similar symptoms can be observed in childhood infectious diseases. But, most often, such a disease begins with an elevated temperature, which lasts for several days (2-3 days), and only after that characteristic rashes can be noticed on the child’s body. Children at any age suffer from childhood infectious diseases, and body temperature can range from 37.2 to 39 degrees, depending on the severity of the disease, concomitant pathology and age. A 3-year-old child tolerates infectious diseases much more easily than a 9-12-year-old teenager. Therefore, treatment should only be carried out by a doctor, especially if the temperature does not rise above 37.2 degrees for several days.

A characteristic sign of childhood infectious diseases is severe malaise and deterioration in general well-being. In some cases, the temperature may not even rise or rise slightly. Therefore, calling a doctor is simply necessary. Only with its help can you accurately determine the true cause of the illness based on the external signs of the rash, carry out the necessary diagnostics and prescribe the correct treatment.

But, the presence of symptoms of intoxication requires providing the baby with plenty of nutrition, due to which the process of removing bacteria and viruses from the body will be accelerated.

Temperature tail

Sometimes parents ask why, after a sore throat, the temperature can exceed the norm by 3 - 5 divisions and amount to 36.9 -37.2 ° C. This condition is observed quite often and, according to doctors, this is the norm. This indicator indicates that the child has reduced immunity. In the event that there are no additional symptoms, the “temperature tail” can persist from several days to 2-3 months, after which it will return to normal. At the same time, parents must do everything to strengthen the immune system: review the child’s diet, develop a balanced diet plan, etc.

Complication

If, after suffering from an illness, the temperature rises again two days later, then a cough joins it on the 4th-5th day, then most likely doctors will suspect complications of the disease in the form of pneumonia or bronchitis. After a professional diagnosis, the child will be prescribed additional treatment.

Negative sides

The body fights the disease on its own when the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees. When the level is higher, you can no longer rely only on immunity; the body needs help.

A 6-month-old child’s temperature is 38 – this is not so scary, such a fever only affects the general well-being. If the thermometer scale goes beyond 38.5, then this can cause irreversible consequences to the entire body, including:

• high temperature additionally strains the heart, which is dangerous for newborns and children with congenital heart disease;
• fever has a negative effect on the brain and nervous system;
• high temperature can change the structure of the brain, affect the functioning of organs, and the liver and kidneys are primarily affected.

Prevention

As a preventative measure, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

• Take daily walks in the fresh air.
• Ventilate the children's room daily.
• Dress your child strictly according to the weather, avoiding overheating and hypothermia.
• Strengthen the immune system in all available ways (stick to a balanced diet, drink vitamin complexes, etc.).
• Drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day every day.
• Use medications only as prescribed by a doctor.

A child’s temperature at 38 degrees often indicates pathological processes in the body (colds, infectious diseases, etc.). Therefore, it is important to take timely measures to prevent the development of the disease. Antipyretic medications and folk remedies will come to the rescue. The main thing is not to use medications unnecessarily (when the baby feels quite normal) and listen to the pediatrician’s recommendations.

When can you lower your temperature?

Hyperthermia is a protective reaction of the body, which indicates a properly functioning immune system. It is not recommended to lower the temperature to 38 degrees; this can only weaken the body’s natural protective functions, which will not produce phagocytes and interferon in the required quantities. And this, in turn, will lead to a protracted illness.

It is necessary to bring down a child’s fever if:

• the temperature rises rapidly, measure it at least every 30 minutes;
• previously, convulsions occurred against the background of a temperature of 38-39 degrees;
• critical temperature - above 39 degrees;
• if hyperthermia is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, then it is necessary to help the body and give the child an antipyretic;
• confusion, cold palms and/or heels, chills, pallor;
• The child has a very difficult time withstanding temperatures that do not even reach 38 degrees.

Experts recommend resorting to antipyretics if a child has a temperature above 38 degrees before the age of 2 months. At an older age, including 6 months, it is recommended to give an antipyretic when the thermometer reaches 38.5 degrees.

Of course, you need to rely on the characteristics of the baby himself. Some do not feel much discomfort at 39 degrees, while others are in a semi-fainting state already at 37.5.

Rules for measuring temperature

When an increase in temperature is not accompanied by a cough, runny nose, indigestion, overheating and other symptoms, you should make sure that it is measured correctly. No matter how accurate the thermometer is, there are exceptions that can change the indicators upward:

• Crying and screaming can increase normal values. Before measuring, you should calm the baby down, and only then put on the thermometer.
• After excitement, stress, a hot bath, physical activity, outdoor games, or a long stay in a stuffy room, the data may be distorted. Measurements should be taken 30 minutes after returning to a normal calm state.
• Humidity distorts the readings, so before placing the thermometer you should make sure that the baby’s armpit is dry.
• The highest values ​​are observed in the evening (they reach 37.5 ºС). In the morning hours the parameters are the lowest. To obtain accurate information, measurements should be taken during the day, at the same hour.

The first measurement may reveal that the temperature is slightly elevated. In this case, it is worth eliminating the above factors and checking the accuracy of the device. Electronic thermometers may show incorrect data, so you should double-check the measurements using a mercury thermometer. It is a good idea to confirm the accuracy of the electronic thermometer by taking the readings of one of the older members of the household.

The indicators of a conventional mercury thermometer are considered the most reliable.

Remedies for fever

Every parent thinks about how to lower the temperature of a 6-month-old child, so as not to harm his body. There are two methods - medicinal and non-medicinal (folk remedies).

The medicinal method includes preparations in the form of powders for the preparation of suspensions, syrups, tablets, suppositories. Babies under one year of age are not given tablets; syrups, suspensions and suppositories have been developed for them. Which of these three options is better? Doctors recommend suppositories, since they go straight into the intestines, the temperature drops faster, and the stomach lining does not suffer. But each parent decides for himself in what form to give the antipyretic.

Medicines that lower fever in children

The following drugs are indicated for children as antipyretics:

• Panadol - has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. For children, it is preferable to give the product in the form of syrup. The dosage and duration of therapy are determined individually. Price: 100 rubles.
• Paracetamol for children is a syrup form that has an analgesic and antipyretic effect. Available in the form of a suspension with orange flavor. Price: 150 rubles.
• Efferalgan - has antipyretic and analgesic effects. Release form: syrup. Approximate price: 100 rubles.
• Nurofen - has an analgesic and antipyretic effect, available in the form of a suspension for children. Price: 130 rubles.

Self-medication is not recommended, therefore taking medications is allowed only after consultation with a specialist.

Medications to relieve fever

Today there are a lot of medications that can be given to reduce fever in children from birth. We suggest considering the most popular ones.

1. "Panadol" - children's syrup. Instructions for use are included in the package with the medicine. But if you have lost it, we suggest you read it in this review. The instructions for use of Panadol children's syrup indicate the dosage according to the baby's weight: 4 ml (from 6 to 8 kg), 5 ml (8-10 kg). It is recommended to give this medicine no more than 4 times per day.
2. “Panadol” (suppositories) – from 3 months to a year: 60-120 mg. You can light candles a maximum of 4 times per day, maintaining an interval of 4 hours (if there is no need to reduce the fever after 4 hours, then, accordingly, there is no need to light a candle).
3. “Nurofen” (syrup) – from 6 months to a year, 2.5 ml 1-4 times a day.
4. “Ibufen” (syrup) – recommended for a baby weighing from 7 to 9 kg, which is suitable for 6 months of age. Ibufen is given no more than 3 times per day, 2.5 ml. The interval between doses is at least 6 hours.
5. Ibuprofen (suppositories). If you weigh 5.5-8 kg, use 1 candle, maximum 3 times a day. If you weigh from 8 to 12.5 kg, also use 1 suppository, but not more than 4 times a day.

These are not all the drugs recommended for this age. Self-medication is not allowed, the medicine should only be prescribed by the attending physician; this article provides examples for informational purposes.

Folk remedies for fever

Each medication has a prescribed maximum number of doses per day. What should you do if your child’s temperature is still rapidly rising? Proven folk remedies will help:

1. Rubbing with water. This gives a short-term and small effect, but the procedure is harmless, so you can wipe it often.
2. Rubbing with vinegar. Dilute 9% vinegar with water at room temperature in equal parts. Wipe the solution on your chest, back, elbow and knee bends, palms, heels and temples. Wait until the body is dry, only then cover the baby with a thin blanket or diaper, but do not wrap it up.
3. Vodka. This is a popular but labor-intensive method that helps to reduce the temperature well. Dilute vodka in equal parts with water, wipe the child’s entire body with the solution (except for the genitals and face), let the baby dry for 10-15 minutes, then cover with a thin blanket, do not wrap him up!

Advice from Dr. Komarovsky

Dr. Komarovsky gives parents the following recommendations:

• Put the child to bed and ventilate the children's room well, avoiding too dry and hot air in the room.
• Do not use medications and folk remedies ahead of time (unless there is a clear need for this, i.e. when the baby cries, cannot sleep, feels unwell, etc.).
• Do not force the child to eat (in the absence of appetite).
• Maintain a drinking regime (give an average of 1.5 liters of water per day, including teas, compotes, etc.).
• Avoid hypothermia of the body.
• Carry out water rubdowns regularly.
• As a last resort, resort to antipyretics.
• Do not self-medicate under any circumstances.
• Do not use vinegar and vodka for rubbing.

But cool air and plenty of fluids, according to Dr. Komarovsky, are the main allies in the fight against high fever.

If the temperature is below normal

For what reasons does a 6-month-old child have a low temperature? The point may be that his body is not yet accustomed to sudden changes in temperature. For example, if it is taken out of a hot room into a cool room, then the temperature will drop. Mom’s warmth will help, just hold the baby to your chest.

But there may be other reasons for the low temperature:

1. Weakening of the immune system after a viral illness.
2. Poor functioning of the adrenal glands and disorders of the thyroid gland.
3. Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract.
4. Low hemoglobin.

If the temperature drops once, then there is no need to worry. If the body gives such signals consistently, then you need to contact your pediatrician to identify the cause.

What to do if your baby has a fever

If there is any evidence of an increase in temperature in the first year of a baby’s life, a doctor should be called to the home, even in the absence of other symptoms.

There are many diseases that do not manifest themselves in any way for almost a week. The temperature just rises and that's it. This is typical, for example, for infections affecting the urinary system. This disease can only be determined after urine tests.

Not always, if, in addition to a high temperature of 38 degrees or more, you do not see other symptoms of the disease, they are actually absent.

Already during the initial examination, the pediatrician is able to identify a number of symptoms associated with fever:

• slight enlargement of lymph nodes;
• mild wheezing;
• breathing hardness;
• ulcers on the oral mucosa.

Parents simply lack the specialized knowledge to notice these and other subtle symptoms.