If you have a child, there's no escaping it. Sooner or later, they're going to experience a fever. Although it can be a bit alarming, the good news is that a fever doesn't normally indicate anything serious.
In fact, a fever is a sign that your child's body is functioning as it should – the increased body heat helps fight infections.
A normal fever is defined as a body temperature of more than 100.4º F.
When should your child see a doctor?
In some cases, a fever can be a sign of serious illness that requires medical – and sometimes emergency – intervention. These cases include:- When the child is less than 8 weeks old.
- When the fever lasts more than 5 days.
- When the fever is accompanied by a persistent major headache.
- When a widespread rash occurs on your child's body in conjunction with the fever.
- When your child is also vomiting and suffering from diarrhea.
- When your child has a stiff neck along with a fever.
In cases where a child's fever does not require medical attention, many parents choose to reach for over-the-counter painkillers containing acetaminophen.
This can be incredibly dangerous.
There's a reason doctors instruct parents to only use acetaminophen (sold under brand names like Tylenol) if it's absolutely necessary. The popular painkilling ingredient is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the country. It also dulls emotions and empathy with repeated use. Given that a child will likely suffer many fevers as he or she grows, you don't want to create a dependency or habit in your child by reaching for acetaminophen at every instance. Luckily, there are safe and healthy alternatives to give your child fever relief.Natural Ways To Relieve Fevers In Kids
#1 – Calcium
Dr. Bernard Jensen writes that one of a fever's main functions is to pull calcium from the bones into the bloodstream where it can help fight infection. This leads to the achy feeling that accompanies a fever. You can reduce this feeling by helping the body get the calcium it needs without making it resort to pulling it from the bones. When your child has a fever, give them plenty of the following high-calcium foods:- Dark leafy greens
- Bok Choy
- Okra
- Broccoli
- Almonds
- (Note: Avoiding dairy-based sources is recommended, as they may increase mucus production and can be hard on the digestive system.)