Childhood fevers help fight against infections
People often think that a high fever is bad, that it can cause brain damage. This is not true. The truth is that fever is one of the ways the body helps fight against infections. When we have an infection in any part of the body, we produce more heat (fever). With more heat, the body can better mobilize the white blood cells and other defenses to kill germs better. So the fever is not our enemy but our friend, and it is helping the body fight the germs.Therefore, the question is, "What is causing the fever?"
One must determine if the cause is serious or not serious. Most of the time, the cause of fever in children is something that is not serious. Some examples are viral infections like sore throats or the flu. Occasionally there may be a more serious infection, such as a urinary-tract infection or pneumonia. Another example of a serious infection is meningitis, an infection that is caused by germs around the brain. This disease is rare, and children are now immunized against the most common causes of meningitis.To tell the difference between a serious infection (like meningitis) and common infections, look at the whole picture, not just the temperature. Ask these questions:
- Does the child look focused and track with his eyes?
- Does he move his head easily from side to side, or does he act as if it hurts and he does not want to move his head?
- Does he follow what is going on around him?
- When the fever breaks, after several hours, does he perk up, play and smile more, or does he look worse?
