As parents, the last thing we want to watch is them be distressed because they are sick and uncomfortable. One of the most frightening situations for parents is realizing that your child has a fever and not knowing what has caused it or what to do next.
But, when you know the causes of fever in infants and when to see your doctor, you can keep a situation from becoming much worse than it needs to be. Take the step you need to take to protect your little one and read this post from end to end.
Let’s get right into some of the most common causes of fevers in infants.
Children are more susceptible to ear infections because the tubes in their ears are on the smaller side. And typically, if they become sick or have a respiratory infection of any type, the bacteria involved in those illnesses can make there way into the inner ear resulting in an ear infection.
Fever is one of the symptoms that your child may have an ear infection, and you might also notice your child pulling or tugging on their ears from discomfort.
The flu rears it’s ugly head numerous times a year and infects both adults and infants alike. The flu can cause high fevers in infants as well as other symptoms, including vomiting and nausea.
You may also notice that your child has a persistent cough, runny nose, and decreased appetite.
Pneumonia for children is caused by a combination of viruses present in the nose, mouth, and sinuses that eventually travel to the lungs. More than 800,000 children under five years old lose their lives each year to this deadly virus.
Making it crucial for you as a parent to take them to the doctor when you notice symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, body pain, and more.
Croup is an infection that affects the child’s airway and can cause them to cough consistently, but the cough sounds as if the child is barking. Typically, a child will get croup from pathogens present in the air, and the infection can cause your child to experience vocal cord swelling.
When their vocal cords swell, it can make it challenging for them to communicate and breathe properly. Some of the symptoms of croup include drooling, fever, difficulty swallowing, and more. When your child continues to have a fever depending on their age, there is a specific time and temperature when you need to take them to their primary care physician.
When dealing with fever in infants, you’ve got to understand what may be causing the fever to give the physician the best account of your little ones’ symptoms. From croup to the flu, there’s a host of reasons that your child may be suffering from a fever.
Before your child’s fever gets worse or out of control, you need to contact the doctors at Coastal Urgent Care in Baton Rouge. They have the knowledge and tools needed to take care of your child and help get their fever down.