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Is it safe to let children fight fever naturally? Sonam Kapoor surprised; here’s what you should do
It is normal for children to have fever, but parents are worried about at what stage they should be given medicine. One such parent is Sonam Kapoor, who recently took to social media to ask if it is safe to let children fight fever naturally. According to experts, fever in itself does not cause any harm and can be a good thing, as it is your body’s way of fighting infection. However, it can also have extreme side effects if the body temperature goes far above the danger mark. Read on to know how to reduce it naturally.
All parents of young children worry when a child’s temperature rises, but doctors say that a fever in itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing, as it helps your body fight infection. There is a way to fight.
Sonam Kapoor, mother of a two-year-old boy, recently wrote on Instagram whether it is safe to let children fight fever naturally. This question is one that all parents are concerned about. Should you wait for the fever to subside on its own or immediately give them medicines, which have many side effects?
Parents of young children, including infants and toddlers, all worry when a child’s temperature rises, but doctors say a fever in itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing, often. This is your body’s way of fighting infection. However, it can also have extreme side effects if the body temperature goes far above the danger mark. And so, it is important to always keep an eye on the situation, especially when it comes to high temperatures in very young children.
Signs and symptoms of fever in young children
According to doctors, a child who has a fever may:
- hustle
- inconvenient
- hot to touch
- flushed
- sweaty
- irritability
- general weakness
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your baby is younger than three months and has a temperature of 101.4°F (39°C) or higher, you should call your child’s healthcare provider right away. If you are unsure, always contact your child’s healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Additionally, it is best to bring a child with fever home from school until his or her temperature returns to normal for at least 24 hours.
When should fever be treated?
In children, a fever that is making them uncomfortable should be treated. Treating your child’s fever will not only help the body get rid of the infection faster, but it will provide relief from any discomfort associated with it.
Children ages six months to five years may have seizures due to fever, known as febrile seizures. If your child has had a bout of fever, there are chances that the condition may recur. However, according to doctors, febrile seizures in children usually increase as they age, which does not mean that your child has epilepsy.
There is no evidence that treating fever will reduce the risk of febrile seizures.
Easy ways to reduce your child’s fever
To reduce high temperature in children naturally, you can do the following:
- Give your child anti-fever medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, be sure not to give them aspirin as it has been linked to a serious and potentially fatal disease called Reye’s syndrome.
- Dress your child in light clothes as excess clothing only traps body heat and causes the temperature to rise.
- Give the child plenty of fluids like water, juice or popsicles.
- To reduce body temperature, bathe the child with lukewarm water.
- Let your child eat what he wants, but do not force feed him if he does not feel like eating.
- If your child is also vomiting or having diarrhea, ask the doctor if you should give pediatric oral rehydration solutions.
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