Fever in Children
What other signs and symptoms are associated with this symptom?
The signs and symptoms of a fever depend on what is causing it. At first, a fever can cause a chill. When the brain raises the body's "thermostat," the body responds by shivering to raise the temperature. Shivering produces heat in the body. Once the temperature goes up, the person often feels warm. When the fever goes away, the person may start to sweat.
Signs of infection that may accompany a fever in children include the following:
breathing difficulties, including grunting
cough
diarrhea
headache
irritability
joint pain
lack of social response, such as a smile in an infant
lethargy, meaning the child is listless and doesn't move around normally
muscle aches
nausea and vomiting
painful urination
rash
weak or high-pitched cry in infants
In judging how ill a child is, the height of the fever is not the most important factor. Parents also need to look at the other symptoms. They have to take into account their child's alertness and general appearance. These elements can all help a parent gauge how sick the child is. An exception is a fever in an infant under 2 months old. In such cases, parents should always call the healthcare provider.
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