**** Fw: OT: Fever in Children - A Blessing in Disguise

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http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/17/fever.htm

Fever in Children - A Blessing in Disguise

By B. White and Sunny Mavor

Originally printed in Mothering Magazine

Excerpted from Kids, Herbs, and Health: A Parents' Guide to Natural

Remedies by B. White, MD, and Sunny Mavor, AHG, $21.95, with

permission from Interweave Press, 1999. CLICK HERE to view on Amazon.com.

Fever is not a disease but rather a symptom of an illness.

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Childhood fevers frighten grownups.

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Fever is maligned and misunderstood.

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Controversy surrounding the management of fever causes anxiety for

parents, because they are not completely sure what to do when their child

has one.

It may help parents to remember that fever is only one part of the picture

of an illness. In fact, for children under eight years of age, and

especially for infants, the severity of a fever is an unreliable indicator

of the severity of the child's illness.

For example, infants and toddlers can be very sick with a low or even

subnormal temperature. Conversely, children three to eight years old can be

running about quite cheerfully with a fairly impressive fever. The

important thing is how your child is acting, not the thermometer reading.

Defining Fever

First, let's define normal body temperature. Most people say 98.6ºF (37ºC)

is normal, but this doesn't account for individual variations or the fact

that kids tend to run slightly hotter than adults. You can think of

anything between 97º and 99.4ºF (36º and 37.4ºC) as normal.

Consumption of hot food, recent exercise, overbundling, hot weather, or an

overheated room can drive body temperature up a degree or two. Body

temperature also varies during the course of the day, and, with teenaged

girls, the menstrual cycle.

Fevers usually hit their highest point in the late afternoon.

Conversely, kids often have their lowest temperature of the day early in

the morning. So don't panic at 4 p.m. when your child's fever rises

slightly; this does not necessarily forebode a raging fever. On the other

hand, if your child has a low-grade fever upon awakening, you may want to

keep him home.

How Fever Happens

Infections most commonly launch fever, especially in children. Other

triggers include transfusion reactions, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,

tumors, inflammatory reactions caused by trauma, medications (including

some antihistamines, antibiotics, or an overdose of aspirin),

immunizations, and dehydration.

Most physicians do not believe that teething directly causes significant

fever, but we have seen it happen.

When infectious " bugs " stimulate white blood cells in a specific way, they

release a substance called endogenous pyrogen, which signals the brain's

hypothalamus to raise the body's thermostat setting. In turn, the body

heats up by increasing its metabolic rate, shivering, or seeking warm

environments.

It also minimizes heat loss by restricting blood flow to the skin, giving

it a pale appearance. Once body temperature rises, the skin flushes and

sweats. A fever sufferer may lose appetite and feel lethargic, achy, and

sleepy. When these phenomena happen to our children, we just tuck them into

bed and let them sleep.

A basic fever, one due to minor bacterial or viral illness, can be an

expression of the immune system working at its best. Given that most

animals (vertebrates anyway) mount a fever in response to illness, it's

likely that humans have preserved this evolutionary response because it

improves survival. Some research supports this theory; animal studies show

when fever is blocked, survival rates from infection decline.

Fever increases the amount of interferon (a natural antiviral and

anticancer substance) in the blood. A mild fever also increases the white

blood cells that kill cells infected with viruses, fungi, and cancer, and

improves the ability of certain white blood cells to destroy bacteria and

infected cells. Fever also impairs the replication of many bacteria and

viruses.

Bottom line: A moderate fever is a friend, but not one you want to spend a

lot of time with. So it makes sense to avoid suppressing moderate fevers

with drugs, while continuing to monitor your child for dramatic increases

in temperature and worsening of any other of his symptoms.

Can Fever Do Harm?

Any time body temperature increases, salt and water are lost via sweating,

and stores of energy and vitamins, especially the water-soluble ones, are

burned up. During moderate fevers, we can compensate for these losses by

drinking appropriate fluids, ingesting nutritious foods, or taking vitamin

supplements.

Replacing water-soluble vitamins (chiefly C and Bs) makes sense. However,

during fevers, the body makes some minerals unavailable for a good reason -

bacteria need them to thrive. In terms of energy stores, our bodies switch

from burning glucose (the favorite meal of bacteria) to burning protein and

fat.

This means a few days of poor appetite is probably adaptive. In other

words, don't cajole or coerce your children into eating during fevers if

they don't feel hungry; they will likely regain any lost weight quickly

after the illness ends. You do, however, need to encourage fluids, because

dehydration alone can drive up fever.

Very high fevers - those above 106°F (41°C) - can harm the heart and brain.

Some authorities, however, say that fever is unlikely to cause brain damage

in a previously healthy child. During most infections, the brain keeps body

temperature at or below 104°F (40°C). So in most - not all - cases, you

don't need to be afraid that your child's temperature is going to continue

to rise above that point.

What About Febrile Seizures?

First, let's define them. These abnormal jerking movements occur in

children between the ages of three months and five years in association

with a fever, but without evidence of infection of the nervous system. The

seizure lasts no longer than 15 minutes (usually five minutes or less) and

causes twitching all over. About 3 percent of kids get febrile seizures.

The reason some children have this susceptibility isn't well understood. Of

those kids who have a first-time febrile seizure, about one-third have a

recurrence. Risks for recurrence go up with younger age at the first

seizure (16 months old or less) and a family history of febrile seizures.

Frightening as these seizures are for parents, they're benign; once they

pass, the child continues to develop normally. Often pediatricians can help

parents learn to block high temperatures by giving ibuprofen or

acetaminophen when fevers start. For the few children who have recurrent

febrile seizures, anticonvulsants or sedatives may be used.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Febrile Seizure

Try to stay calm. That's a tall order, but your child needs you to be

collected. Take a deep breath. Let it out. Tell yourself that the seizure

will not last long (although it may seem like forever) and that your child

will likely be fine afterward.

Look at your watch to time the length of the seizure. This sounds like a

big demand, given the anxiety a parent naturally feels. However, you will

otherwise overestimate the time, and the duration of the seizure is

important information for the doctor. If it exceeds five minutes, call 911.

*

Turn your child on his side. This reduces his risk of gagging on or

inhaling secretions.

*

Make sure the immediate environment is safe. Remove objects your

child might hit.

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Do not restrain your child.

After the seizure is over, comfort and reassure your child, then call your

doctor for an immediate appointment. He or she will want to evaluate your

child for any abnormalities (other than fever) that may have triggered the

seizure. If the seizure lasted longer than five minutes and/or your child

seems to be very sick, your physician may tell you to go to the emergency

room right away.

Over-the-Counter Medications for Fevers

It makes sense to us that if fever helps defend against infection, giving

fever-reducing medications may make things worse. In addition, some fever

medications can have undesirable side effects. On the other hand, no one

likes to watch a child suffer. And fever can deplete a child's energy.

Here's a profile of over-the-counter medicines for reducing fever and

discomfort.

Acetaminophen reduces fever and pain but not inflammation. Follow the

package instructions. Because of the risk of liver damage, do not dose more

frequently than every four to six hours or for more than five consecutive

days. There is no need to awaken your child to give her a dose; sleep will

do far more good.

Ibuprofen (Children's Motrin, Pediaprofen, Advil) reduces fever, pain, and

inflammation. Follow the package instructions. Do not give more often than

every six hours unless your physician advises otherwise. This medicine can

cause stomach upset.

Aspirin reduces fever, pain, and inflammation, but pediatricians rarely

recommend it.

Use of aspirin in children during viral illness has been linked to Reye's

syndrome, a disease characterized by severe liver dysfunction and brain

swelling. Symptoms include effortless and repeated vomiting, then a change

in the level of consciousness (lethargy, stupor, combative behavior,

delirium, seizures, coma).

No one knows what the cause of Reye's is, but it seems to be linked with

aspirin use during viral illnesses. For this reason, authorities have

recommended that children under 21 years with symptoms of viral respiratory

illness or chickenpox do not take aspirin. Sometimes herpes outbreaks and

viral gastroenteritis (marked by vomiting and/or diarrhea) are included in

the list of illnesses during which aspirin must be avoided.

Unfortunately, it is often difficult to be certain of the cause of an

illness when it starts. Aspirin is a component of many cold and flu

over-the-counter medications, so avoiding it requires careful label reading

on your part.

Medications for fever can act as a screen. Here are some pros and cons to

giving your child over-the-counter medication to ease a fever.

Medication such as acetaminophen can help sort out whether your child feels

miserable because of a fever or because of an infection. Some physicians

use a trial of acetaminophen as a screen. If, after the drug kicks in, the

child looks and acts better, it is less likely that he has a fever or that

his infection is a serious one.

Fever medications can make your child feel better. He may be more likely to

drink fluids, nibble food, and sleep. All can help him recover.

Fever medications can mask symptoms. In other words, your child acts as

though his health has improved, but it really hasn't.

Fever medications may actually prolong the illness. This opinion of some

practitioners is backed by a few studies. Assuming the response of the body

to illness (fever, inflammation, sleepiness) is adaptive, it seems

reasonable to assume that interfering with the process may do more harm

than good. The following are some examples that support this theory.

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A study of adults with colds found that aspirin and acetaminophen

suppressed production of antibodies and increased cold symptoms, with a

trend toward longer infectiousness.

*

In a study of children with chickenpox, acetaminophen prolonged

itching and the time to scabbing compared to placebo treatment.

*

In test-tube studies, therapeutic levels of aspirin suppressed the

ability of human white blood cells to destroy bacteria. Acetaminophen did

not have this effect. Another study found that a host of pain relievers,

including aspirin and ibuprofen, inhibited white-cell production of

antibodies by up to 50 percent.

The bottom line. Use these medicines sparingly when your child is in pain

or suffers discomfort from a fever over 102°F (38.8°C). Ask yourself

whether you are administering the fever-reducing medicine to make your

child more comfortable or to decrease your own anxiety.

Nondrug approaches can go a long way toward helping your child feel better.

If the situation does not seem urgent, you might want to consider a trial

of herbal treatment before you pull out the acetaminophen.

Home Management of Fevers

Do give your child lots to drink. Fever increases fluid loss, and

dehydration can drive up your child's temperature. Kids with fever often do

not feel thirsty, or by the time they do, they're already dehydrated. So

keep offering fluids.

Small, frequent sips are often best, especially if the child feels

nauseated. If necessary, use a plastic medicine dropper to gently insert

water into your child's mouth. The type that holds several ounces is best

to use.

Dress lightly or bundle? The answer depends on your children's perception

of temperature - follow her cues. If your child looks pale, shivers, or

complains of feeling chilled (things that tend to happen in the early

stages of fever), bundle her in breathable fabrics so that sweat will

evaporate, but make sure she can easily remove the layers. If she is

comfortable and her fever is low, dress her snuggly and give warm liquids

to assist the body's fever production. If she sweats and complains of heat,

dress her lightly and let her throw off the covers. Older kids will take

care of these needs themselves.

Don't push food. People with fevers generally don't have much appetite. Let

your child determine when and what she eats. Just bear in mind that

consumption of sugary foods could delay the natural immune response.

Herbal Remedies for Fevers

A rule of thumb that herbalists like to use during minor illness with fever

is: " First, do nothing, " meaning that a short period of observation ought

to precede any action against the illness. Follow our guidelines above for

seeking medical assistance for feverish children under the age of two, and

encourage fluids. For older children, give liquids, make them comfortable,

and observe closely.

Is your child drinking fluids well? Urinating at least once every eight

hours (ideally, every three to four hours, or wetting eight to ten diapers

per day)? Does your touch console her? Is she playing normally? If the

answer to these questions is yes, she is probably not seriously ill.

This observation time can also help you figure out which of the following

herbs are most indicated and effective.

Boneset. We cannot find much current research on this herb, but folklore,

historical medical texts, and personal experience tell us it works.

Consider the opinion of Drs. Uri Lloyd and Harvey Felter from 1898,

two of the most respected herb doctors in American history: " In influenza,

it relieves the pain in the limbs and back. Its popular name, 'boneset,' is

derived from its well-known property of relieving the deep-seated pains in

the limbs which accompany this disorder. "

For more information about herbal remedies for children, see the following

articles in past issues of Mothering: " The Scent That Soothes, " no. 80;

" Natural Remedies for Childhood Diseases, " no. 77; " Natural Immune

Boosters, " no. 73; " Natural Remedies for Winter Illnesses, " no. 69, and

" Childhood Fevers, " no. 51.

B. White, MD, is the mother of two and the author of The Grandparent

Book. She is a national natural health writer.

Sunny Mavor, AHG, is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild

and lectures nationally on botanical medicine. She is the mother of two and

the founder of Herbs for Kids.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This is one of the most comprehensive articles to date that I have reviewed

on this important topic. Many families with young children will want to

print this article out or book mark it so you can have it to refer to in

the future.

However, it is absolutely amazing how infrequently your children will get

sick when they are following the diet program. We all know that it is far

easier to prevent an illness than to treat it.

A fever is a backup mechanism when our primary ones fail. Good food,

adequate rest and the ability to handle stresses are the primary ones.

I would also advise avoiding most all of the anti-fever medications unless

your child is absolutely miserable or the fever is over 105.

Related Articles:

Reducing Fever Prolongs the Flu

Sponging, Fans Do Little To Bring Down Fever

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Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

Vaccines - http://www.wellwithin1.com/vaccine.htm Email classes start in

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