Parents
commonly think of fever as their number one enemy when their
children are sick. This leads them to battle fever aggressively
with all the medication and sponge baths
they can give, from a mistaken notion that the fever itself is a
disease and can give, from a mistaken notion that the fever
itself is a disease and can easily harm a child.
Fever
is not a disease, however, but a symptom that shows that a fight
against a disease or infection is going on inside the body. In
that fight, excess heat is generated in the core of the body and
is dissipated to the head and limbs, where it radiates off the
skin. In general, pediatricians recommend not trying to lower
fevers under 102 F, and they certainly don’t want parents to
see fevers as threats to their child’s well-being
If
your child’s discomfort and temperature require more treatment
then dressing him lightly and giving him lots of fluids,
medicine may be helpful. It is better to go to a doctor.
