Diagnostics

The three-day fever in babies can usually be diagnosed by the clinic alone, i.e. the complex of symptoms to be observed:the typical rapid rise in fever, the corresponding age up to 2 years and, above all, the subsequent classic skin rash that follows the drop in fever. However, it must be remembered that fever is also caused by many other infections. These include urinary tract infections or pneumonia.

Likewise, the red, spotty rash must not be confused with measles or rubella. In addition to the gaze diagnosis together with fever, there is the possibility of diagnosing the three-day fever by laboratory chemical analysis of the blood. In this case, the doctor has the baby’s blood tested for certain defence proteins directed against the virus, the antibodies against HHV-6.

Therapy

As described above, the three-day fever is caused by viruses. Unlike bacteria, antibiotics do not work here because they are directed against certain metabolic processes that a virus does not have. They have no metabolism of their own and need a living organism like humans to survive and multiply.

As therapy thus in first line symptomatic measures stand in the foreground and no causal, the cause fighting. These include general fever-reducing measures such as thin clothing and not too warm blankets that would accumulate heat. As a classic household remedy known to everyone, the baby can be put on a calf wrap.

To do this, cotton or linen cloths are soaked in water at a temperature of approx. 20 degrees Celsius and wrapped around the calves several times. The direct cooling effect is good for the baby and the evaporating water withdraws heat from the body; the same mechanism as with sweating.

Antipyretic medication can also be used. However, aspirin must be avoided at all costs. There are special fever suppositories or juice preparations for babies that do not harm them.

In any case, it is important to make sure that the baby has an adequate fluid intake. If febrile convulsions occur, the doctor can prescribe a sedative and antispasmodic drug. However, you should never stop taking medication for the baby without consulting a specialist!

If a fever occurs, which lasts for several days and rises, a doctor must be consulted to rule out other serious illnesses. At present there is no possibility of vaccination. Other babies or toddlers should not be allowed to have contact with the sick baby because of the danger of infection.