Related Experiment Videos

Fever in Children: Should it be Treated?

B F Habbick

    Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
    |January 22, 2011
    PubMed

    Insights

    Fever is an elevated body temperature that aids infection defense and is rarely harmful. Treatment focuses on relieving discomfort, with acetaminophen as the first choice, and parent education is beneficial.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Immunology
    • Physiology

    Background:

    • Fever, an elevated body temperature, differs from hyperthermia.
    • Fever pathogenesis involves pyrogens, interleukin-1, and the thermoregulatory center.
    • Fever plays a role in the immune response to infection.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To differentiate fever from hyperthermia.
    • To explain the pathogenesis and immune effects of fever.
    • To provide guidance on fever management in children.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review on fever pathogenesis and treatment.
    • Analysis of the role of interleukin-1 in fever.
    • Evaluation of treatment strategies for pediatric fever.

    Main Results:

    • Fever is a regulated elevation of body temperature, distinct from hyperthermia.
    • Interleukin-1 is a key mediator in fever development and immune response.
    • Fever itself is generally not harmful and may protect against infection.

    Conclusions:

    • Fever management in children primarily aims to alleviate discomfort.
    • Acetaminophen is the recommended first-line treatment for fever.
    • Parental education on fever management is crucial for effective care.

    Related Concept Videos

    Methods of reducing fever01:22

    Methods of reducing fever

    The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
    Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
    Increased Body Temperature01:25

    Increased Body Temperature

    A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
    Patterns of Fever01:26

    Patterns of Fever

    Before understanding the types and patterns of fever, it is essential to know its phases.
    Types of Fever01:25

    Types of Fever

    Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
    Here are the different types of fever:
    Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

    Tonsillitis II: Management

    This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.