Many parents wonder what to do when the child has a temperature of 39, and what medications can be taken. Many in this situation have panic, especially if this problem is observed in infants. It is important to know the basic rules for eliminating heat and to learn to understand when urgent intervention by doctors is required.
Infectious processes that occur in the body, as well as non-infectious causes, in particular, such as allergies, neuroses, injuries, hormonal disorders, can provoke a fever. It is important to learn to distinguish between them and choose the right treatment.
How to measure temperature?
It is advisable that the child has his own thermometer. Before each use, be sure to wipe with alcohol or rinse with warm water and soap. If the child is sick, then you need to measure the temperature 3 times a day. Every day, this should be done at approximately the same time throughout the course of the course of the disease, and these indicators should be recorded.
The temperature is recommended to be measured by holding the thermometer in the armpit, in the rectum or inguinal fold, but not in the mouth. The only exception is a dummy thermometer. To measure the temperature in a child, it is better to use an electronic thermometer, as this will allow you to get the correct result.
Causes of fever
Temperature is the body's natural reaction to the penetration of bacterial and viral infections. Immunity effectively fights the causative agent of the disease, producing certain protective substances and creating the necessary conditions for fighting bacteria. If the child holds 3 days, the temperature is 39, then this may be due to the common cold.
However, it is worth noting that any respiratory disease has pronounced signs of respiratory organs. But at the same time, it is possible that with a cold the temperature does not increase, it all depends on the baby’s immune system and the characteristics of his body. In some cases, the symptoms increase quite quickly, and sometimes, within 1-2 days, it does not manifest itself at all.
With a cold , a child’s temperature of 39 degrees can last for several days. In addition, fever occurs with flu. This virus provokes a sharp increase in temperature, but there may be no sign of a cold. In addition to other manifestations, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- chills;
- malaise;
- aches in the bones;
- headaches and muscle aches.
A febrile state lasts for 3-5 days, and already after this there are catarrhal manifestations, in particular, such cough, nasal congestion. It is not always possible to determine at a temperature of 39 - in a child, SARS is this or flu. The kid needs to be shown to the doctor. In addition, similar symptoms are observed in diseases such as:
- mumps;
- chickenpox;
- rubella;
- measles;
- whooping cough.
It happens that at the very beginning of the course of the disease there are no symptoms besides high fever, and after the latency period ends, characteristic signs appear, in particular, such as:
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- rashes;
- barking cough.
With the occurrence of infectious diseases, the child is very unwell, impaired appetite, drowsiness, moods, weakness. Acute inflammatory processes also lead to the fact that there is a temperature of 39 and lasts a day. Among the main reasons you need to highlight these:
- sinusitis;
- pneumonia;
- otitis;
- angina;
- cystitis;
- pyelonephritis.
Each disease has its own characteristic signs, but at the initial stage they may not be very pronounced. Sometimes a fever occurs without visible manifestations, or a child cannot say for sure what exactly bothers him.
If the temperature is accompanied by a cough
Many parents are interested in what to do when the child has a temperature of 39 and an additional cough is observed. This is especially dangerous if such signs in a child are 2-4 months old, since any viral infection can pass into bronchitis or pneumonia in a few hours. In this case, you must definitely call an ambulance.
In older children, it is worth paying attention to the nature of the cough. It can be dry and wet. Dry cough is observed mainly at the very beginning of the course of the disease, and the doctor may prescribe expectorant drugs.
A wet cough indicates that sputum is excreted, which means that the infection leaves the body. In any case, no matter what the age of the child, a cough must alert the parents, as this may be pneumonia.
If the temperature is accompanied by diarrhea
If within a few days the child's temperature 39 does not go astray, and diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain are also observed, then you need to urgently consult a doctor. This may be a sign of rotavirus infection, poisoning or exacerbation of a stomach disease.
Only timely and comprehensive therapy allows you to quickly restore the well-being of the child and prevent the development of complications.
No cold sign
To determine the cause of the heat, it is necessary to exclude the likelihood of SARS, taking into account the concomitant symptoms. A temperature of 39 in a child without signs of a cold can be for reasons such as:
- heatstroke;
- infectious diseases;
- teething;
- diseases of the urinary system;
- stomatitis.
As a result of prolonged exposure to the sun without a hat, there is a high probability of receiving heat stroke. This condition is accompanied by nausea, headache, loss of consciousness.
Infectious diseases such as measles, chicken pox, and mumps are very common in children. Among the main signs, it is necessary to note the fever, which is observed within 1-3 days, after which characteristic signs appear.
A high temperature of 39 in a child without signs of a cold can be observed with various localization of pathogens. If they penetrate the hearing aid, then otitis media develops. The child thus becomes restless, clings to the ear. In case of damage to the skin, sudden eczema can develop, which occurs mainly in children under 2 years old.
If the child's temperature 39 does not go astray within 5-7 days, then the stress factor should not be excluded. The child’s nervous system is designed so that even a minor experience can provoke fever and fever. The likelihood of this increases if there were complications during childbirth.
Temperature after vaccination
What to do when a child's temperature 39 rises after vaccination? This question worries many parents. Some vaccines provoke temporary negative reactions of the body, namely redness in the injection area, irritability and a slight increase in temperature. This is a completely normal manifestation, and it will pass by itself in 1-3 days.
You can eliminate unpleasant symptoms by taking antipyretic drugs and observing the daily regimen. If it is not possible to eliminate the fever, then be sure to consult a doctor to prevent the development of complications.
Pathological temperature
If the child has a temperature of 39 days for 3 days or more, but no signs of inflammation and infection are detected, then it is necessary to examine for the presence of malignant neoplasms. Oncology is asymptomatic for a long time, and the only sign is an increase in temperature. The child looks very pale, lethargic, gets tired quickly and is constantly drowsy.
Also, the temperature may increase due to a malfunction of the thyroid gland and autoimmune diseases, in particular, such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- lupus erythematosus;
- Crohn's disease.
Severe fever with fever, diarrhea, and vomiting may result from animal bites and insects. If the child has a headache and a temperature of 39, then this is not always a sign of illness. Children's immunity is unstable, so it can provoke fever with factors such as overheating of the body, prolonged travel, prolonged stress, and allergies.
First aid child
If the child has a temperature of 39.5, what to do and how to help the baby cope with this problem? You can’t do without a doctor’s consultation, as this can be a sign of serious problems and disorders in the body. Be sure to give antipyretic drugs to the child before the arrival of an ambulance or pediatrician.
You also need to create conditions for the child under which his body will cool itself. The baby should be in a cool room in light clothing during illness during the illness to ensure that sweat evaporates from the surface of the body. After the child sweats well, you need to dress him in dry clothes.
It is recommended to give a lot of warm liquid. Breastfeeding is better for making a raisin decoction, and for older children - dried fruit compote.
When do you need to urgently call an ambulance?
Many parents are worried about what to do if the child’s temperature is 39 and does not go astray. It is very important to know when to call a pediatrician, and when an ambulance. It is worth noting that the temperature 39 can only be reduced to 38-37.5 degrees, and then it can again jump again. However, if you can’t lower it to this level, then you must definitely call a pediatrician at home. In addition, you need to do this if:
- the baby cries all the time;
- convulsions and blurred consciousness are observed;
- hard breath;
- nausea and diarrhea.
If fever is observed within 72 hours, then urgent hospitalization may be required. If the child is a month old and has a temperature of 39 degrees, then you must definitely call an ambulance. In addition, this must be done if:
- the temperature in the child continues to rise after taking antipyretic drugs;
- the baby has a confused consciousness;
- rashes appeared in the form of small bruises.
In addition, signs of dehydration are an alarming sign, the child very rarely goes to the toilet, cries without tears, a dry mouth with a red tongue.
When do you need antipyretic drugs?
What to do when a child has a temperature of 39, a qualified doctor can say, since self-treatment can only do harm. All infectious and viral diseases in childhood occur in an acute form and are accompanied by fever. Thus, the child’s body tries to cope with the disease by developing antibodies to pathogens.
If the temperature is 39 in a child of 7 years and younger, then you must definitely give him an antipyretic, since prolonged fever and fever can lead to poor health. Hyperthermia can cause complications that affect the nervous system.
Release Forms
Drugs that lower the temperature in children are available in various forms, namely:
- candles;
- soluble powder;
- syrup;
- injections;
- tablets.
Children easily drink sweet syrups. They begin to act in about 30-40 minutes. The period of their action depends on the active substance that is part of the drug. Candles begin to act a little faster, after about 20 minutes. They are a very good option if the child refuses to take the medicine or has a gag reflex. It is best to inject suppositories after cleansing the intestines so that they begin to act faster.
For older children, chewable tablets are suitable that help quickly eliminate fever. Due to chemical additives, they can provoke allergies, so they must be used very carefully. It is forbidden to use them to treat children under 3 years of age, since there is a possibility that the child may choke on a tablet.
The dosage form of the drug in the form of a powder is used very rarely for young children. Such drugs dissolve in water and have a rather pleasant aftertaste. Manufacturers supplement drugs with ascorbic acid, as well as several antipyretic components.
The fastest way to bring down heat is by injection. It is doctors who use it when suppositories, syrups and other forms of medicine do not bring the desired result. Often they are used if urgent assistance is needed. The effect occurs 10-15 minutes after administration of the drug.
The most popular drugs
If the child has a temperature of 39.5, what to do and how to quickly and efficiently eliminate the fever, many parents are interested. For this, antipyretic drugs are used , but only the attending physician should prescribe them. The best are drugs made on the basis of paracetamol. These are drugs from the group of analgesics and antipyretics.
The safest antipyretic is Panadol. It can be used even for babies, as it does not provoke swelling, as well as fluid retention. Children's form of "Panadol" is available in the form of a suspension and rectal suppositories. Their use in colds, teething, otitis media, pertussis, chickenpox, scarlet fever, rubella and other infections is shown. This antipyretic and analgesic drug is prescribed for babies from 3 months in an individual dosage.
The infant form of “Paracetamol” is made in the form of a suspension, which is allowed to be used from 1 month after birth, and the syrup is prescribed from 3 months of age. Among the indications for the use of this tool:
- ARVI;
- flu;
- pain syndrome of various origins.
It is worth noting that with an overdose there can be various kinds of side effects in the form of a decrease in appetite, nausea, and allergies. When using the drug, it is recommended to monitor blood counts and liver condition.
The drug "Efferalgan" is available in the form of syrup, suppositories and powder. This tool is used as an anesthetic and antipyretic. Rectal suppositories can be used to eliminate fever in infants from 4 weeks. If you use the drug in the form of a powder, then you need to dilute it with water, juice or milk to the desired concentration. This tasty drink can be prescribed even to a small child from a bottle with a papilla. The daily dosage is determined separately and depends on the weight of the child.
Children may also be prescribed antipyretic drugs based on ibuprofen. Such medicines are allowed to be given to children from the first days of life, but under the strict supervision of a physician. The drug "Ibuprofen" is available in the form of capsules, suspensions and tablets. It helps fight high fever as well as pain.
The drug "Nurofen" has an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic effect. It is used for infectious diseases, flu, colds, as well as body reactions after vaccination. The medicine has a very quick effect and can effectively reduce the painful manifestations.
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug "Ibufen" has an analgesic and antipyretic property. In childhood, this medicine is used in a dosage that is calculated depending on the age and weight of the child.
In addition, antibiotics can be prescribed for children at a temperature of 39, as they help eliminate pathogens, which contributes to a faster recovery. However, antibacterial drugs are used only if the disease was triggered by bacteria. In the case of a viral infection, antiviral drugs are required.
What is forbidden to do?
At very high temperatures, the basic rules and recommendations of a doctor must be observed. It is worth remembering that there are certain harmful actions that are strictly prohibited. You can not wrap the child, as warm clothes and blankets will only aggravate the process.
It is forbidden to place a heater near the child. If the room temperature is above 22 degrees, then it needs to be reduced. You can’t soar your feet, as well as make the child breathe over a pan of steam. These procedures will only complicate the course of the disease.
Be sure to strictly follow all the advice and instructions of the attending physician, as this will allow you to quickly normalize the well-being of the baby.