The fFever is not a disease, but a symptom: it is indicative of bacterial or viral infection. Normally it is not a reason for consultation, you do not have to take your child to the emergency room for fever, nor would it be necessary for you to administer antipyretics to lower the fever, although it would alleviate the discomfort. But I will expand this information.

First of all, it is important to know that fever is a defense mechanism against infections, as it prepares the body to fight them: raising the temperature seems a good measure to 'kill' the microorganisms that live comfortably at 37º. So if your little one has a fever, relax and observe: our advice and common sense will tell you when you should go to the doctor.

What is fever?

Our body it has an internal thermostat that makes small adjustments to body temperature: if it does not exceed 37 degrees it is considered normal, when it exceeds but does not reach 38 degrees it is a low-grade fever, and exceeding 41 degrees Celsius we would be talking about hyperpyrexia (an exceptional situation that would require urgent attention, but does not usually occur). When considering the temperature, the area in which it has been taken is also usually taken into account, although there are only a few tenths of difference.

It is more important to know the cause than to lower the fever, because it is the one that keeps the virus or bacteria 'at bay', so that making the decision to put the child in the bath or give him an antipyretic could be more harmful than helpful. During childhood It is quite common for different infectious processes to be suffered, and all children have had or will have a fever occasionally.

How to help your child when he has a fever?

Even if you don't lower his temperature, you can do a lot to alleviate his discomfort, and above all you should be very understanding because his mood will probably change in the hours or days that he is ill: more down, more grumpy, less cooperative, etc.

To try to make him feel better, you can take him off, keep the house at a comfortable temperature for him (not too cold or too hot) and ensure that he stays hydrated by giving him water to drink frequently. If he is not hungry, do not force him to eat, and keep in mind that when he regains his appetite he may prefer light foods that are well digested (puree, soup, a little salad ...).

If you want to relieve pain, remember that for babies under 6 months ibuprofen is not advisable. In case it is necessary to bathe the child, warm water is much better, you think it is not necessary (or advisable) to lower your fever, but you may feel better after a bath.

You have to go to the doctor if:

• It is a very small baby (less than 3 months).
• Fever lasts more than 3 days in children over 24 months.
• Loss of appetite, rejection of liquids, decay.
• Spots on the skin (and if they do not disappear when stretching the skin, it is a reason for urgent consultation).
• Do you have many doubts or is there something that worries you? You see the doctor too.

Go headlong to the ER if your child has a temperature that is maintained at 40º! (Sometimes the fever rises but it is regulated again, that is not worrisome). Seizures, stiff neck, having trouble staying awake, or being unable to breathe well also require immediate attention. If you have a child who suffers from a chronic disease, you will also have to go to the doctor's office quickly.

My last advice is that with health it is better to go without haste: let your little one's body act and train regulating himself, intervene just enough and give a lot of pampering to the child, you already know the healing power of kisses and hugs. We trust that you will know how to make the best decision. They say that time heals everything and we cannot always apply the saying or consider it true, but infections (especially if they are viral) are usually self-limited, so whether you do something or not, it will be solved.