Why I Embrace Fever and How It Benefits My Child’s Health

Recently, our household experienced an episode of the flu with soaring fever, courtesy of my son’s new school adventure.

While the illness didn’t lead to complications or require hospitalization, witnessing my three children unwell was undoubtedly unsettling. 

In the midst of their discomfort, I found myself delving into a sea of research and posing endless questions to their pediatricians, seeking to demystify fevers, understand viral infections, and uncover effective treatments. 

In this blog post, I invite you to join me on this informative journey where I share insights into why I’ve shed my fear of fevers. 

We’ll explore when it’s crucial to seek professional advice, why rushing to administer fever reducer medication might not be the first line of defense, and effective treatments to mitigate complications. 

Let me clarify, though—I’m not a doctor or a healthcare professional, just a mom sharing knowledge gleaned from research and personal experiences. Always consult with your healthcare providers, as these insights are solely for educational purposes! 

What is Fever? 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Fever is not a sickness in itself but rather a symptom of illnesses that may stem from viral or bacterial infections. 

Contrary to common belief, fever is a beneficial response by our body, as a reassuring indicator that the immune system is actively fighting off potential invaders. 

When the body temperature reaches 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher, it is considered a fever, with rectal temperature being the most accurate measure.

Fevers Myths Versus the Facts

• High fever can cause brain damage 

No, fevers with infections don’t cause brain damage. Only temperatures above 108° F (42° C) can cause brain damage. 

The brain, specifically the hypothalamus, doesn’t allow the body to reach 108° F (42° C). It can only happen with external factors, such as if a child is left in a closed car during hot weather. 

A febrile seizure may happen, but it doesn’t damage the brain. However, the kids may fall from the seizure and may get injuries. Therefore, it is essential to care for children when they have high fever. 

What I usually do is that I let them watch TV while giving them a lot of drinks for hydration and encouraging them to sleep. Therefore, their bodies use the energy to fight off the virus. 

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• All fevers need fever-reducing medication 

No, fever medications neither help the body fight infection nor prevent fever from coming back. It usually prolongs the duration of illness. 

Instead of giving fever medication, we need to support the body to keep fighting the infection by hydrating the child, giving comfort, and letting the child rest. 

It’s expected for fevers with most viral infections to last for 2 or 4 days. If it stays more than 4 days, it is good to get your child checked. 

Fever medications can only give temporary comfort. I like to use them only when my children have discomfort and cannot sleep with the fever. Sleep is vital. If the fever doesn’t let them sleep and causes them discomfort, it is okay to give medication and allow their body to rest. 

Also, it is different from one child to the other. I have noticed that on my own kids. Some kids are totally comfortable with high fever, and others may have a lot of discomfort even with low-grade fever. 

When to See a Doctor for Fever? 

You need to see a doctor if your child has a fever and  

1.Your child is 3 months or younger

When all three kids got sick from the flu, I went to urgent care for only my newborn, who was three months old.

I prefer to go to her pediatrician, but they were fully booked. I didn’t want to waste time, so I went to urgent care. 

Newborns 3 months and younger are vulnerable, don’t have strong immunity, and their cases can worsen quickly. 

Also, it was my first time experiencing a child getting ill this young. My kids are generally healthy. I need to get peace of mind. 

Glory to God, my newborn did great. There were no complications, no need for medication, and honestly, she was feeling better after 24 hours. Breastfeeding comforts and helps her tremendously. 

Because the flu had also got me, my body was fighting, which meant my baby was getting antibodies from breastfeeding. I swear by it: breastfeeding is incredible. I am so grateful I can breastfeed all my children! 

2. Has had a seizure.

Even though seizures from the fever are generally harmless, it is good to see a doctor and let your pediatricians know. 

3.Has vomiting and can’t keep fluids down. And or refuses to drink.

Dehydration is a problem when kids have a fever because their bodies lose a lot of fluid. 

On top of that, if your kids refuse to drink or vomit and can’t keep fluids down, they might need to get IV fluids, so it is a must to see a doctor. 

4. Doesn’t urinate in over 6-8 hours. 

Not having urine output for more than 6-8 hours is a sign of dehydration, a urinary tract infection, or a more serious kidney issue. Therefore, you should take your child to see a doctor. 

5. Your child is very sleepy. 

If your child has a fever and sleeps longer than the “usual” and you can’t wake him up, it is a must to see a doctor. 

6. If your child is excessively fussy or irritable, you cannot soothe them.

It may be a sign of a severe illness, warranting a visit to the doctor.

7. A child who is confused or unresponsive to questions or not making appropriate eye contact

This may be an indication of experiencing neurological issues requiring medical attention.

8. Difficulty breathing.

Especially if the child is wheezing or struggling to breathe, it is a red flag for possible respiratory distress and necessitates a visit to the doctor.

9. Pain or stiffness in the back of the neck when the child attempts to touch their chin to their chest. 

This could indicate meningitis, a serious brain or spinal cord infection that requires immediate medical evaluation.

10. Seems like she’s getting better but then suddenly worsens or develops a new or higher fever.

This can be a sign of a possible bacterial infection that takes the opportunity to invade after a viral infection—a typical scenario for bacterial ear infections or pneumonia. 

Moreover, you are very worried about your child and want him checked out. Follow your mama instincts!

Home Remedies for Comfort While Your Child Has Fever 

As mentioned, fever is often a natural response as the body fights infection. 

While it’s crucial to seek medical attention if there are any concerning symptoms, there are also home remedies that can provide comfort and support the body’s immune response. Here are a few things I like to do for my children that seem like helping them: 

• Keep Your Child Hydrated: Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Natural options like coconut water, which has natural electrolytes, can hydrate more than store-bought drinks. You can mix it with juice to improve the taste if needed. Additionally, bone broth is an excellent choice for its nourishing properties and can be soothing to the stomach.

• Give Herbal Teas: Chamomile, lavender, and peppermint teas have soothing properties that can help relax the body. Chamomile and lavender are known for their calming and anti-inflammatory effects, while peppermint can help reduce nausea and cool the bod

• Use Homemade Popsicles: Making homemade popsicles using healthy, probiotic-rich ingredients is a great way to provide hydration and nourishment. Here get my recipe. Not only are they refreshing, but they also offer essential nutrients to support the immune system.

• Warm Bath with Epsom Salt and Essential Oils: Epsom salt baths can help ease muscle aches and pains while providing the body with magnesium. Magnesium is essential for muscle and nerve function and can improve overall relaxation.  Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil can further enhance the calming and soothing effects of the bath.

By incorporating these remedies into your child’s care routine, you can help provide comfort and support their immune response during times of illness.

Natural Medicine for Fever

Even though there is a time to use Tylenol and Motrin, they are not my first line of defense to help our children’s body fight their infections and heal their fevers naturally. 

I have always liked to have these natural medicines in my medicine cabinet. 

Homeopathy

Homeopathic medicines are one of the safest and most gentle treatments without side effects. I love them because they’re easy to give children because they look like sugar.  

If you don’t know what homeopathy is and want to learn more, read this from a holistic mama pediatrician doctor I trust. 

Here are some homeopathic medicines that are often recommended for fever:

1. Belladonna: When a child has a sudden high fever. They may have a sweaty, bright red face and dilated pupils. 

2. Aconitum Napellus: This is suggested when a child develops a sudden high fever, especially after exposure to cold, windy weather. They may have a red, dry face and feel anxious and agitated.

3. Ferrum Phosphoricum: This is helpful when a child has a low-grade fever that comes on gradually. It’s often chosen in the early stages of an illness when there aren’t any other specific symptoms.

It’s important to match your child’s symptoms to the descriptions of these medicines. Homeopathic medicines are tailored to each child’s specific symptoms. What’s most important is how your child experiences their illness. 

For example, if your child has a cold with lots of sneezing and a runny nose, she may need a different homeopathic medicine than her friend, who has a thick, yellow nasal discharge and an earache, even though they have the same cold virus. 

Homeopathy allows for a truly personalized approach!

The typical dosage for homeopathic medicines, regardless of age, is 3 pellets every 3-4 hours until your child is feeling better. If needed, you can dose more frequently.

Here you have it: what fever is, when to see a doctor, home remedies, and natural medicine. Let me know in the comment if you have further questions. Also, if other remedies help, let me know.