What is Fever?
Understanding Fever..
Fever is a natural response of the body that helps in fighting off foreign substances, such as microorganisms, toxins, etc. Body temperature is set by the thermoregulatory center, located in an area in the brain called hypothalamus. Body temperature is not constant all day, but actually is lowest at 6 A.M. and highest around 4-6 P.M. In addition, temperature varies in different regions of the body; for example, rectal and urine temperatures are about one degree Fahrenheit higher than oral temperature and rectal temperature is higher than urine. It is also important to realize that certain normal conditions can effect body temperature, such as pregnancy, food ingestion, age, and certain hormonal changes. Every parent has probably experienced this scenario: You wake up in the middle of the night to find your child standing by your bed, flushed, hot, and sweaty. Your little one's forehead feels warm. You immediately suspect that your child has a fever, but you're unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? Should you call the doctor? Fever occurs when the body's internal thermostat raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 37 degrees Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way. What Causes Fever? It's important to remember that by itself fever is not an illness - it's usually a symptom of an underlying problem. Fever has several potential causes: Infection: Most fevers are caused by infection or other illness. Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms. Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they're overbundled or in a hot environment because they can't regulate their body temperature. Immunizations: Babies and children sometimes get a low-grade fever after getting vaccinated. Although teething may cause a slight rise in body temperature, it's probably not the cause if your baby's or toddler's temperature is higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). The most effective initial treatment for fever is to sponge the person who is having a fever. Sponging can effectively relieve the person by bringing down the temperature slightly. It is important to understand the symptoms associated with a fever. Learn to recognize it so that you know exactly what you are dealing with when a fever occurs! |
Types of Thermometers
Getting the right thermometers..
| There is an infinite number of medical conditions that can be the cause of fever.
Anthrax, E. coli, inflammation, Listeriosis, cancer, plague, Q fever, rhabdomyolysis, and SARS can all be a cause of fever. Smallpox, typhus, West nile virus can be a cause of fever. Medications such as amphotericin, sulfa antibiotics, penicillin, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, phenytoin, quinidine, methyldopa, procainamide, bleomycin, vincristine, and asparginase can all be a cause of fever Digital thermometers usually provide the quickest, most accurate readings. Although you should read the manufacturer's instructions to determine what method or methods the thermometer is designed for, many digital thermometers can be used for the following temperature-taking methods: |
| Oral (in the mouth) Rectal (in the bottom) Axillary (under the arm) Digital thermometers usually have a plastic, flexible probe with a temperature Sensor at the tip and an easy-to-read digital display on the opposite end. Electronic ear thermometers measure the tympanic temperature - the temperature inside the ear canal. Although they're quick, accurate, and easy to use in older children, electronic ear thermometers aren't as accurate for very young children as digital thermometers and are more expensive. The American Plastic strip thermometers (small plastic strips that you press against your child's forehead) may be able to tell you whether your child has a fever, but they aren't reliable for taking an exact measurement, especially in infants and children Pacifier thermometers may seem convenient, but again, they're unreliable and shouldn't be used in infants younger than 3 months. They also require the child to keep the pacifier in the mouth for several minutes without moving, which is a nearly impossible task for most babies and toddlers. Glass mercury thermometers were once commonly used, but the AAP now advises against using them because of concerns about possible exposure to mercury, which is an environmental toxin. As any parent knows, taking a squirming child's temperature can be challenging. But it's one of the most important tools doctors have to figure out if your child has an illness or infection. The method you choose to take your child's temperature will depend on his or her age and how cooperative your child is. |
