What Every Parent Must Know About Fevers

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by Miranda Castro, FSHom, RSHom(NA), CCH

A fever is a helpful and necessary part of the process of healing in an acute illness.  An increased temperature generally indicates that the body’s defense mechanism is fighting an infection and temperature variations indicate how it is coping.  During a fever the healing reactions of the body are speeded up: the heart beats faster, carrying the blood more quickly to all the organs; respiration speeds up, increasing oxygen intake; and perspiration increases, helping the body to cool down naturally.

Most people, adults and children, can run a high fever of up to 103°F for several days with no danger. It is normal for healthy infants and children to have high fevers with an infection.  Temperatures of 104°F and above are a cause for concern and medical and/or homeopathic attention should always be sought.

Delirium and tantrums in children sometimes accompany high fevers and, although these are distressing, they are not dangerous.  Fevers usually peak towards night time and drop by the following morning, so that a temperature of 103°F registered in the evening may recur on subsequent evenings.  A drop in temperature in the morning does not mean that the fever is past its peak. It can rise and fall several times overseveral days before finally returning to normal.

Sponge down your child with tepid water if the fever goes above103°F/104°F: expose and sponge one limb at a time until it feels cool to the touch.  Dry and replace it under the covers before going on to the next limb.  This will help the temperature to drop by 1–2°F and can be repeated as often as necessary.  Sponging the face and forehead alone can also give relief.  You can even immerse a feverish but not desperately ill child in a tepid bath from time to time to bring down a fever.  Thirstless  children will often drink the bathwater as an added benefit!

Keep a hot, feverish child cool, and a chilly feverish child (one who feels cold to the touch and shivers) warm.  Make sure they get plenty of fluids and rest.

Never give a child aspirin during or after a childhood illness as this can cause serious complications. Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) in an emergency, where the temperature rises above 104°F or if your child is in pain, you don’t have a homeopathic remedy at hand, and sponging hasn’t kept the temperature down. Attempts to suppress or control a fever artificially with acetaminophen, or even with homeopathic remedies, are likely to confuse the body’s natural efforts toheal itself. Afever may be the first signthat your child is ill. It is best to wait for other symptoms to develop before giving a homeopathic remedy - one that is based on the whole picture, one that will be more likely to help your child’s emotional state as well as his or her symptoms.

Adapted from “The art of taking care of a sick child”, by Miranda Castro, FSHom, RSHom(NA), CCH in Homeopathy Today, February 2002