My child has a fever: When should I call a pediatrician?

Fever is its most common reaction children's organization in disease and as strange as it sounds it is a useful symptom! However, often dangerous can be the cause of fever, which must be found with the help of pediatrician.

High fever

Fever of 38 degrees Celsius and above for babies under 3 months, above 38.3 degrees for babies 3-6 months and above 39.4 degrees for children from 6 months to 2 years. "If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, such as a urinary tract infection, it could quickly spread," says pediatrician and consultant for the American site "Parents", Jennifer Shu, MD In children over the age of 2, fevers are not emergencies as long as the child appears to be well hydrated and acting normally. Either way, call your pediatrician for more advice.

Fever that persists

If his fever doesn't go away with treatment or lasts longer than five days then call the pediatrician soon. This is a sign that the infection may be too strong for his body to fight it off. It may have been complicated by an infection, such as pneumonia, which requires treatment with the appropriate antibiotics, explains Alanna Levine, MD, a pediatrician in Orangetown, New York.

Fever with severe headache

A fever accompanied by a stiff neck or headache, or a rash that looks like bruises or with tiny red spots requires immediate referral to a pediatrician. These can be signs of meningitis and need immediate examination.

Febrile convulsions

Febrile seizures, which sometimes occur in children who have a high fever, occur most often in children under the age of three and are rare after the age of six. Febrile seizures can be scary for parents, but appearances are deceiving!(they look much worse than they really are). However, if the seizure has not stopped within three minutes, take the child to the hospital immediately. If the seizures stop, but this is the first time the child has had them, he should also be taken for a check-up.

Fever with vomiting

It may indicate appendicitis, gastroenteritis, meningitis, nephritis or influenza. When along with the fever the person has abdominal pains they may have appendicitis, gastroenteritis, pneumonia or scarlet fever. Call the pediatrician for instructions.