Causes of Childhood Fevers

There are many causes of fevers that can be divided into two general categories. Acute, which is of a short duration in which its end is clearly defined; and chronic, which is a fever that occurs repeatedly over time. The following are some examples of the most common and best known causes of fever from the Boston Children's Hospital New Child Health Encyclopedia. Acute, bacterial infections - these include ear aches, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Viral infections, colds, chicken pox and influenza, allergic or toxic reaction to certain drugs or poisons, heat strokes which can be a life threatening fever, dehydration which often occurs in children as a result of diarrhea and vomiting. Chronic - chronic inflammatory diseases of connective tissue such as arthritis and lupus erythematosus which is characterized by fever, swelling, redness, pain and some loss of function. Chronic inflammatory disease of the GI tract such as chromes disease and ulcers. Infections commonly associated with cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, tumors and cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma. Whether to call your physician for medical assistance can depend on a number of factors. The symptoms of the illness, the apparent seriousness of the fever and the child's temperature. Age should also be given some consideration since the child's age can be a big factor in fighting off an illness. It is a good idea to consult with your physician if the condition persists as the treatment for different diseases can vary. Fever cannot be prevented, however some specific diseases that cause fever can be prevented by vaccinations, medicine, nutrition as well as proper methods of sanitation.

Tonsillectomy

The single most common type of childhood surgery, tonsillectomy, like all surgeries, are serious. The inherent risk of surgery should be taken into consideration before consenting to having your child undergo a tonsillectomy. And, it's a good idea to get a second opinion. A tonsillectomy is not a guarantee that your child will never get another throat infection or will have fewer illnesses. Tonsillectomies, however, are necessary in a number of situations -- particularly if the child suffers from repeated throat or strep infections, or if swelling of adenoidal tissue interferes with breathing. Most tonsillectomies are successful. Complications are rare and recovery usually takes place in less than two weeks. Surgery is often coordinated with a prescription of pain relievers and antibiotics to reduce discomfort and the risk of infection. But it's still prudent to make sure the procedure is absolutely necessary before agreeing to it. For more information on tonsillectomies, consult your physician.

Ear Ache

Ear aches, along with sore throats and headaches are among the most common childhood ailments, and could indicate a number of problems -- most of which are seldom serious. One of the problems in dealing with childhood ear aches is detection. While pain of an ear ache ranging from a stabbing pain, to a dull throbbing is something most of us have experienced, it is often difficult to tell the cause of pain in children, particularly infants. If, for example, a baby is drying and the cause of his or her pain is not readily apparent, try gently pulling on the infant's earlobe. If the pain seems to increase, the infant could be suffering from an infection of the outer ear. A doctor should be consulted. Plane flights an also be a source of ear discomfort for children -- sometimes causing a ringing sensation in the middle ear. Usually the pain will go away a short time after landing. If it persists, consult your physician. Ringing in the ears can also be caused by some medication. So, if your child complains of ringing and is taking some form of medication, consult your physician. In all cases of ear ache, watch for any signs of a loss of hearing. If it seems to be occurring, see your doctor immediately.

Bedwetting

Bedwetting -- also known by the medical term uresis, is relatively common among children younger than ten. Smaller children, in particular, seem prone to bedwetting because they are not as able to hold their urine throughout the sleep period. In general, regular bedwetting is cause for concern if it continues past the age of five, and medical advice should be obtained. Although it is rarely serious, and frequently passes with time, bedwetting can be a traumatic and embarrassing problem for any child. But there are things you as a parent can do to help. You might try not allowing beverages for an hour before bedtime, and no carbonated beverages for six hours before bed. Also try setting an alarm for early morning so that your child can get up to relieve himself or be supportive, assuring your child that the problem is not his or her fault. In most cases, bedwetting is merely an annoyance that the child will soon outgrow. For more information on bedwetting, talk to your doctor.

Croup

Croup is a form of laryngitis and is a common ailment among young children. It is characterized by a barking cough and general hoarseness. Children with croup often awake with a loud crowing noise and this tends to grow more harsh as the condition worsens. For a child, an attack of croup can be alarming, so every effort should be made to calm the child. Attacks of croup generally last no more than a few hours, but is a good idea to consult a physician, especially if the attacks are frequent and severe. Standard treatment involves the use of a vaporizer or exposure to steam from a hot shower. Antibiotics may be prescribed to combat the onset of infection. In serious cases, hospitalization and treatment with oxygen, antibiotics and humidified air may be called for. Croup is generally associated with a shrill wheeze when breathing, a condition known as stridor. So, any child exhibiting noisy, fast or difficulty breathing, should be taken for medical attention immediately. With prompt treatment, croup can usually be cured. For more information, consult your physician.

Measles

Immunizations for measles has made this highly contagious disease far less common in recent years, but parents should still be familiar with the warning signs of measles and its dangers. Affecting the skin and respiratory tract, measles in its early stages, causes a dry cough, high fever, runny nose, watery eyes and sometimes diarrhea. For or five days after the onset of the disease, a rash appears, usually beginning on the forehead and behind the ears. The rash should begin to fade after a day or two, and body temperature begins to return to normal. Recovery is usually complete and prompt. Symptomatic relief during infection is often provided by pain relievers and drugs to combat fever. While most cases of measles are not serious if left untreated, it can lead to such complications as pneumonia, encephaltits, abnormal swelling of the head and is highly contagious. An un-immunized family will likely contract the disease if one member of the family gets it. Immunization and a familiarity with the symptoms of measles are two of the most reliable ways to avoid contracting the disease. For more information on measles, contact your physician.

Chicken Pox

One of the most common childhood illnesses, chicken pox is also one of the most contagious. Exposure to the chicken pox virus, no matter how casual, usually results in infection. After the disease has been contracted, it incubates for a period of 10 days or so before symptoms appear. Those symptoms are well known by anyone who has been inflicted with this troublesome illness. Low grade fever and itchy, sometimes sore, splotches appearing on the skin. For some individuals, there may be only a few sores, for others, there may be hundreds. Three to seven days after they appear, the splotches will begin to fade. Within a week, the chicken pox is gone and the child can return to school and normal social activity. Every effort should be made to stop the child from scratching the splotches while they are proliferating. As hard as it is to resist scratching, it allows the sores to become infected and increases the chances of scarring. Standard treatment for the symptoms of chicken pox consists of an aspirin substitute to lower the fever, and the applications of a lotion such as calamine or aloe vera to ease the itching. The only good thing about chicken pox is that once you've had it, you're not likely to contract it again. Recovery provides immunization from the virus. For more information consult your doctor.