Misconception 1: A child who feels hot has a fever.
Fact: There are many reasons why children feel hot.Hard play, crying, and just coming out of a warm bed or being outdoors on a hot day can make the body feel hot.But in these cases, the child’s skin temperature can return to normal in 10-20 minutes.When the above reasons are excluded, if the child still feels hot or unwell, there is an 80% chance that the fever is real.The following are the criteria for a fever when taking your temperature: anus, ear or temporal artery: 100℉or above;Oral cavity: 100℉ or above;Armpit: 98.9℉ or above.
Misconception 2: Fever is bad for you.
Fact: Fever activates the body’s immune system, one of the body’s protective mechanisms.A normal fever (100~ 104℉) can help a sick child fight off infections in the body and is usually good for the body.
Misconception 3: Fever burns the brain (fever above 104℉ is dangerous).
Fact: Fever with infection does not cause brain damage.It takes a temperature above 107.6℉ for fever to cause damage to the brain.And it’s only when the body is at extreme ambient temperatures that its temperature gets this high.(like locking kids in a closed car on a hot day)
Misconception 4: You must take medicine to cure a fever.
Fact: Fever only needs treatment if it causes discomfort.Usually the child’s temperature does not reach 101.3℉ is not to be treated, more water can be.But if the child is mentally ill, crying or pale and gray, treatment is needed.
