Our Fever Fright

The past few days has been a tumultuous, nerve-racking and very taxing time for me as a mother.

Motherhood is not easy but this is definitely one of those times where you learn how strong you are and can be under such pressure and stress.

It all started with the sniffles and runny nose.  Sure, I'm use to the minor colds here and there but this time it was different.

My 3 year old, Ava, then began to heat up... very quickly.  She became weak.  She stopped playing and saying her usual silly things and a million and one questions.

I knew then that this was not going to be just a cold.

That night may have been one of the most trying nights for me and my husband.

She came down with a high fever and when she started shaking with chills -- I pretty much couldn't stand it.  

Her beautiful porcelain skin then started showing prominent purple veins.
She also became somewhat nostalgic and then the vomit began.

I'm usually pretty calm and able to handle such things.  After all, she's had a fever, plenty of times in the past, and I've always handled them well.

But couple it with my advancing amount of pregnancy hormones and I was a total wreck.  

I've never seen her with chills before and that absolutely scared the heck out of me.
At one point, amidst the vomit, chills, non-stop painful crying from my little girl & the heat, I even found myself over the toilet throwing up.

She didn't take to the advil at all (threw up all of it) so we had to try and get her temps down naturally with a cool cloth on her forehead, stripped her down in cooler clothing and when her temps peaked, we gave her a warm sponge bath.

Thank goodness my sister quickly dropped by.  She was able to help me out for a little bit while my husband tended to clearing out all the massive heaps of vomit on the bed, floor and bathroom.

They seemed to help but of course, this horrible virus was at it's worse that night and attacking our little girl.

It's amazing though how our bodies work (no matter how little) trying hard to fight it. 

After that crazy ordeal, she rested calmly, began drinking some water, slowly ate some saltine crackers and bananas and then rested.

The chills did return afterwards for another 10 minutes and her temp did not go any lower, so we just continued what we were doing, prayed and hoped for the best.

She didn't sleep until 5am that night, I didn't sleep at all.

I'm sure some of you very experienced mothers will read this and think, "It was just a fever. They'll survive." 

Yes, we did survive, but it doesn't mean it was any less stressful.  

Fever IS an alarming thing when it happens to your child. We give medicine to bring the fever down as soon as possible, we call doctors, and we worry. But what is fever, exactly, and what is the best thing to do when it happens to your child?

You will usually be able to tell if you baby has a fever just by touching her. Her skin will feel very hot. You can feel her brow, her belly, or if she's younger than three months, feel her chest or back. 

Here are some great tips to help when you find yourself going through this (and believe me, you will).

Fever is actually a good thing. It tells you that your child's immune system is working properly and that the body is fighting off illness. When your child gets an illness, the white blood cells start fighting it. Sometimes they need extra help. So they send messengers, called interleukins, to the hypothalamus in your child's brain, asking for help. The hypothalamus then sends the body a message to raise the temperature. Heat kills much bacteria and this is the reason for the body's raise in temperature when fighting illness. The body's thermostat is raised and your child gets chills because shivering is the quickest way to warm the body. Fever begins.. When the body has heated enough and the thermostat is then turned down, your child sweats in order to cool down. The fever has broken.

Now, to take the scariness out of fever, this will explain some common fever worries.

WORRY: "A temperature of over 98.6 F (or 37 C) is a fever!"

EXPLANATION: Most doctors don't consider temperatures under 100 F (37.7 C) to be a fever.

WORRY: "Fever causes seizures!"

EXPLANATION: Febrile (fever-induced) seizures occur in only 5% of young children, and are caused not by high fever, but by the rapidness in which the fever comes on. Febrile seizures are not dangerous and do not cause lasting damage.

WORRY: "I have to keep my child in bed!"

EXPLANATION: Fever takes a lot of energy, so rest is helpful and will make your child feel better. However, it is not essential and if the child is happier up and playing, it won't hurt him/her to let him/her do so.

WORRY: "My child shouldn't eat when (s)he has a fever-- remember 'starve a fever'!"

EXPLANATION: Most kids aren't hungry when they have a fever to begin with. But if they are, keeping them from eating will not help the fever, and will only make your child feel worse! What you do need to do is give plenty of liquids-- water, juice, ice chips, jello, popsicles. Electrolytes are only necessary if diarrhea and vomiting are also present, or your child is sweating profusely. You can try pedialyte (they even have the freezer pop version if your child prefers a freezie).

WORRY: "The fever must be brought down as soon as possible!"

EXPLANATION: Fever can actually be left to run its course. It is fulfilling a job, after all. Fever is not dangerous until it gets very high-- above 102 F (38.8 C) at least. However, giving the child acetaminophen will make the child feel better.

(Note: Always take the advice of your pediatrician!)

TEMPERATURE

If you use a thermometer, her temperature will vary depending where you measure it. Here are the most common places to take a temperature: 

• Rectal temperature: The most accurate way to measure a temperature in a child under five years is by taking a rectal temperature. Clean the thermometer with cool soapy water, cover the silver tip with petroleum jelly, gently insert 2.5cm into the rectum. A fever is anything greater than 38 degrees C when measured rectally. 

• Under the armpit: Under the armpit (also called axillary) is a quicker place to test for a temperature at any age. Simply tuck a thermometer under your baby's armpit, with her arm down by her side. Your baby may have a fever if the temperature is greater than 37.3 degrees under the armpit. 

• In the ear: Another place to measure temperature on a baby is in the ear (also called tympanic). Be aware though thermometers for the ears are not reliable in babies under two years of age. In children older than two, a fever is anything greater than 38 degrees C when measured in the ear. 

• In the mouth: Oral thermometers should not be used until a child is five years old. A temperature greater than 37.5 degrees C orally (in the mouth) is a fever. 

What kind of thermometer should you buy?

You don't need to buy an expensive thermometer. Most are easy to use and have clear instructions. There are different types you can buy from your pharmacy: 

Digital thermometers are probably the best type you can use at home. They are accurate and beep when they are ready. They can be used for measuring temperatures under the arm. You can also check her temperature rectally. For an older child you can also test her temperature orally.

Ear thermometers can be very accurate and only take a second, but they are difficult to use correctly and are not accurate in babies less than two years old. They can also be expensive.

Forehead strips are less accurate as they show the temperature of your baby's skin, rather than her body. But they are quick and easy to use.

Soother thermometers are less accurate, and, like the forehead strips, you should double check the result with a digital thermometer.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR!

• If your child has a fever and shivering, this may indicate a bacterial illness - see your doctor if your child is unwell with this
• If the temperature is above 40.5 C or 105 F, she may have a bacterial infection. See your doctor if this high temperature persists or your child is unwell
• If the high temperature persists for more than 5 days, particularly if your child is miserable
• A temperature as high as 42 C or 107.6 F is uncommon but is dangerous if it persists at this level for any length of time, so seek urgent medical advice if your child's temperature is this high at any time.
• Your child shows signs of listlessness or odd, unresponsive behavior
• Your child has fewer wet diapers than usual and his/her mouth and eyes are dry (dehydration)
• Your child passes out or is difficult to awaken during sleep
• You are worried and feel you need to call the doctor-- never ignore your instincts!

TREATING THE FEVER

• Give the child plenty of fluids to keep from dehydrating!  Water, juice, ice chips, jello, popsicles are good. Pedialyte is great for electrolytes especially if they have been vomiting or have diarrhea.
• Keep your child cool by removing heavy clothing. Do not remove everything. Your child's body will find its own appropriate temperature if dressed normally. Dress lightly with a light blanket if necessary.
• If you want to medicate your child, give acetaminophen or ibuprofin only. Never give your child aspirin!
• To help your child feel better, you could try a spongebath. Use lukewarm water only-- NEVER USE ICE! A spongebath should only be given after the fever has broken (the child is sweating).
• A warm-cool cloth over the forehead or behind the neck is also a good way to soothe and bring down the temps
• Read to your child or watch a children's video together to distract her/him from his/her illness. Please do not use the video as a babysitter-- your child needs your love right now!
• Give TLC. Cuddle your child and affirm to him/her that (s)he'll feel better soon and that you're right there for him/her.
• Massage and music can be very soothing to a child. However, some children don't want to be touched when they are sick

DO NOT: overdress or completely undress your child. Let his/her body find its own temperature.

DO NOT: put ice water or alcohol on the child!

DO NOT: awaken your child to give him/her medicine. As long as your child's fever is not extremely high, sleep is more important!

**Always consult your pediatrician before taking medical advice!**

I hope this helps and most importantly, I wish your little ones a healthy and speedy recovery. 

Remember Moms, you're doing an awesome job. You're never, ever alone! We've all been there!

Take care!