Taking care of a sick, feverish child is an exhausting challenge for every parent. Dr. Kelly Fradin, a pediatrician from Harvard University and a mother of two, deeply understands the difficulties and anxieties this entails. As both a professional doctor and a parent, Kelly shares three things she would never do when her child is sick, providing parents with guidance to approach caregiving more calmly.
When a child has a fever but is sleeping soundly, parents often worry about missing medication time and feel compelled to wake the child up. However, Dr. Kelly emphasizes that sleep is crucial for a child’s recovery, especially when illness makes it difficult for them to rest. Sleep can boost their immune system better than medication. If a child is sleeping peacefully, parents should let them rest unless it’s an emergency, as this may help the child recover more quickly.
Many parents hesitate to give medication, fearing side effects, and try to avoid it as much as possible. However, if the child experiences difficulty breathing, reduced fluid intake, or trouble sleeping due to a fever, appropriate fever-reducing medication or other safe drugs should be administered without hesitation. Dr. Kelly advises that if the condition doesn’t improve after three consecutive days of administering medication 3–4 times a day, it’s a sign that parents should take the child for further medical evaluation.
If Your Child Looks Very Unwell but the Thermometer Shows No Fever, Don't Ignore It! (Photo / Sourced from the Internet)
Some parents place too much reliance on thermometer readings, but Dr. Kelly stresses that body temperature is not the sole indicator. If the thermometer shows a fever but the child remains lively, it may not be too serious. Conversely, if the child appears very uncomfortable even though the thermometer indicates a normal temperature, such signs should not be ignored. Parents should focus on the child’s overall condition rather than just the numbers on the thermometer.
Dr. Kelly advises parents to take their child to the doctor immediately in certain situations, such as when a fever occurs in an infant under three months old, when the temperature exceeds 40°C on the first day, or when the fever subsides but then spikes again to above 39°C for 2–3 days. While fever is common, it can have various causes, including upper respiratory infections, influenza, enterovirus, or other conditions. Parents should observe the child’s symptoms and follow the doctor’s recommendations for treatment.
Infants and young children are particularly susceptible to infections caused by various viruses and bacteria, leading to fever. Common causes include upper respiratory infections, influenza, enterovirus, herpetic stomatitis, rotavirus, and gastroenteritis. Other potential causes are roseola, Kawasaki disease, and bacterial infections (such as otitis media, pneumonia, or tonsillitis), among others.
For parents, caring for a feverish child is a task that requires patience and love. Dr. Kelly’s advice provides valuable guidance: prioritize sleep over waking a child for medication; administer effective medication without hesitation to alleviate their discomfort; and focus on the child’s overall condition rather than just their temperature. These principles not only help children recover more quickly but also give parents greater peace of mind during the caregiving process.
Source: Mom and Baby
