Diagnosis | What to do if your baby has a fever?

Diagnosis

The diagnosis can be made on the basis of a combination of gaze diagnosis with the typical symptoms as well as the elevated temperature when taking the temperature with a thermometer. The most accurate method for determining the temperature is to measure the fever in the buttocks. Although this is not particularly pleasant for the child, it gives the most accurate value.

A distinction is made between an elevated temperature, fever and high fever based on the temperature. So-called elevated temperature exists in a baby if a temperature of 37.6-38.5 degrees Celsius is measured. Temperatures above 38.5 degrees Celsius are called fever.

By definition, high fever exists from 39 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above 41.5 degrees Celsius become a threat to the body because the body contains a number of proteins which cannot withstand the high temperatures. Since fever is usually not the only symptom found in babies, the other symptoms provide additional clues to the illness.

Therapy

In therapy, one must distinguish a general, symptomatic therapy of fever from a causal therapy, i.e. a therapy of the disease causing fever. The symptomatic therapy, in turn, can be separated into a non-drug therapy and a drug therapy. It is essential to ensure that a feverish baby is given sufficient fluid.As the body temperature increases, so does the body’s fluid requirement.

Damp calf compresses can be used to lower the fever. However, they should not be used when the person concerned is freezing. They should also not be too cold.

A whole range of medications can be used in the drug therapy to lower the fever. Ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid and diclofenac from the group of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to reduce fever. Metamizole, also known as Novalgin, and Paracetamol can also be used optimally to reduce fever.

If a causal therapy of the fever is sought, the cause must first be diagnosed. If the most likely cause of the disease and thus of the fever is, for example, a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, then an antibiotic can be used to fight the infection and consequently the fever. The choice of antibiotic depends on the age and the germs to be expected.

From the group of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid and diclofenac can be used to reduce fever. Metamizol, also known as Novalgin, and Paracetamol can also be used optimally to reduce fever. If a causal therapy of the fever is sought, the cause must first be diagnosed. If the most likely cause of the disease and thus of the fever is, for example, a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, then an antibiotic can be used to fight the infection and consequently the fever. The choice of antibiotic depends on the age and the germs to be expected.