Viral fever is a condition characterized by fever caused by viruses. Children, especially toddlers, are prone to this condition. Therefore, it’s essential for parents to quickly equip themselves with basic information about viral fever to comprehensively safeguard their child’s health. In the following article, Thu Cuc TCI shares insights into recognizing signs and treating viral fever in young children. Don’t miss out, parents!
1. Viral Fever in Children: Causes, Signs, and Symptoms
1.1. Specific Causes of Viral Fever in Children
Viral fever in children can stem from various viruses. Some examples of common viruses causing viral fever include Rhinovirus, Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV), Enterovirus, etc.
Rhinovirus can cause viral fever.
1.2. Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Viral Fever in Children
Viral fever in children often presents a range of symptoms. Below are some key symptoms when a child has viral fever:
- Fever: Fever is the primary symptom of viral fever, identified when the child’s body temperature exceeds the normal range, typically above 37.5°C.
- Headache, body aches: Children with viral fever may experience headaches and body aches.
- Sore throat, difficulty swallowing: Viruses can cause throat inflammation, leading to sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
- Coughing: Coughing is a common symptom of viral fever.
- Runny nose, nasal congestion: Some viruses not only cause fever but also result in a runny nose and nasal congestion.
- Nausea and vomiting: Some children with viral fever may experience nausea and vomiting.
- Fatigue: Children with viral fever may become more tired and lethargic than usual.
Fever is the primary symptom of viral fever
1.3. Complications of Viral Fever in Children
Viral fever in children can lead to complications. The severity of complications depends on the virus causing the illness and the child’s overall health. Some common complications of viral fever in children include:
- Dehydration: Children with viral fever can quickly become dehydrated due to high fever and/or vomiting, especially if the child refuses to drink supplemental fluids.
- Febrile seizures: Some children with viral fever may experience febrile seizures. While this condition is often not dangerous, frequent recurrence could predispose to neurological disorders like epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc.
- Respiratory infections: Viral fever can adversely affect the respiratory system, causing respiratory infections, including pneumonia—a potentially dangerous respiratory condition.
- Cardiac issues: Viral fever can lead to cardiac problems, especially if the child has a history of such issues.
- Meningitis: The most dangerous complication of viral fever is meningitis.
2. Treating Viral Fever in Children
Treating viral fever in children focuses on symptom relief and providing favorable conditions for the body to effectively combat the virus. Important considerations in treating viral fever that parents should remember and ensure their child follows include: using antipyretic and pain-relief medications, adequate fluid intake, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest. Among these, the most crucial is administering antipyretic and pain-relief medications and ensuring adequate fluid intake.
2.1. Using Antipyretic and Pain-relief Medications
If the fever is high and accompanied by severe headache and body aches, children can use antipyretic and pain-relief medications. The use of these medications should adhere to certain rules.
2.1.1. Types of Medications
– Paracetamol: Paracetamol is the most common choice. It is suitable for children with gastric issues and is not recommended by doctors to use Ibuprofen.
– Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen is also a common option but should be used as directed by a doctor, especially for children under 6 months old.
2.1.2. Dosage
The dosage depends on the type of medication and the child’s weight. Accordingly:
– The safe dosage of Paracetamol is: 10 – 15mg/kg/dose, every 4 – 6 hours, with a maximum of 4 doses per day.
– The safe dosage of Ibuprofen is: 5 – 10mg/kg/dose, every 6 – 8 hours, with a maximum of 3 doses per day.
Parents note: Avoid using multiple medications containing the same active ingredient to avoid the risk of overdose.
For fever specifically, apart from medication, parents can apply cooling measures to limit this symptom. Parents should use warm water and towels, avoiding cold water as it can cause vasoconstriction, reducing the effectiveness of fever reduction.
See a pediatrician when your child has symptoms of a viral fever
2.2. Ensuring Adequate Fluid Intake
Parents need to ensure their child drinks enough fluids to prevent dehydration due to fever and vomiting. Purified water, coconut water, and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) are perfect choices. ORS is a solution containing water, salt, and sugar, used to prevent and treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalance due to fever, vomiting, diarrhea, especially crucial when a child has viral fever. Below are basic guidelines on how to use ORS for a child with viral fever:
- Prepare ORS solution: ORS is available in powder or liquid form, which can be purchased at pharmacies.
- Mix ORS solution: If ORS is in powder form, follow the instructions on the packaging. If ORS is in liquid form, parents should use accurate measuring instruments to ensure the child receives the required amount of ORS.
- ORS dosage: Follow the doctor’s instructions. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage based on the child’s weight and degree of dehydration. If in addition to fever, the child experiences symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, the ORS dosage may need to be adjusted to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the child’s body. Typically, the child needs to drink ORS at a specific dosage, which can be calculated as follows: ORS (ml) to be consumed in 4 hours = Child’s weight (kg) x 75ml.
- Method of administering ORS: Parents can use a straw, syringe, or small spoon to administer ORS to the child. To avoid causing the child to vomit, administer slowly and wait for the child to swallow.
- Monitor the child’s condition: Monitor the child’s condition, and if signs of danger such as lethargy, confusion, or decreased consciousness are observed, do not delay, contact a doctor.
The above is information about recognizing signs and treating viral fever in young children. Hopefully, with this information, parents will be able to safely protect their children from this condition.
