Medical Insider – Dr. Ria P. Maslog
Fever
Fever is medically termed as hyperpyrexia and is defined as the rise in the body’s temperature in response to a disease or an illness.
The average normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees centigrade) and studies have shown that the normal body temperature can have a wide range and depends upon which area the temperature is taken.
Shown below is the normal body temperature:
A. Rectal temp 36.6 degrees C to 38 degrees C (97.7 degrees F to 100.4 degrees F)
B. Ear 35.8 *C to 38*C (96.4-100.4*F)
C. Oral 35.5*C to 37.5*C (95.9-99.5*F)
D. Axillary 34.7*C to 37.3*C (94.5-99.1*F)
So, any body temperature higher than those mentioned above is considered as fever and warrants investigation.
In the pediatric age group, children younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38*C or higher are in a high risk group for serious illness; and children aged 3-6 months with a temperature of 39*C or higher are in at least an intermediate risk group for serious illness.
Though, it is important to know that one should not use the duration nor the height of the fever to predict the likelihood of serious illness.
Physical examinations and certain laboratory testing are done to assess and to evaluate the patient.
Why is it important to address the fever in children? It is necessary to give importance to fever in children so as to:
– prevent febrile seizures which could occur in age group 6 months to 6 years of age
– to prevent congestive cardiac problems for those with cardiomyopathies
– persistent high fever can cause CNS malfunctions and can worsens infection
– and to allay parents and relatives’ anxiety