You asked

What is fever?

Fever is often the first sign of an illness in children. When your child has a temperature it can be a worrying and stressful time.
 
However a high temperature is simply one of your child’s ways of fighting infection and increasing protection against disease. Fever can be caused by an infection such as ‘cold or flu’ or from an infection associated with immunisation. 
 
Fever is regarded as having a body temperature usually above 37.8ºC.
 
Fever can occur when your child has a ‘cold or flu’ or following childhood immunisations. Symptoms may vary according to the underlying cause of fever, but some common signs to look out for include:
  • Irritability and lethargy
  • Restlessness during the night
  • Pale with cool hands and feet but hot forehead, tummy and back
  • Vomiting suddenly
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shivering uncontrollably
  • Hot and flushed all over
  • Febrile convulsion
 

More questions

Concern over give infants cold medicine
There are very specific guidelines when it comes to safely administering over the counter medications to babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Fever is often the first sign of an illness in children. When your child has a temperature it can be a worrying and stressful time.
Sore throats and coughs are two very common illnesses for children.
Once you have established your baby has a fever and have taken practical measures, such as placing them in a cooler environment, to combat this, a fever-reducing medication can be administered.
Febrile convulsions are caused by a rapid increase in the body temperature of young children.
Once you have established your baby has a slight fever, there are a number of measures you can take to keep it under control
If your baby has a slight fever, there are a number of measures you can take to keep it under control.
The average body temperature should be between 35°C and 37°C.
 
While a fever can be treated, it's important to keep in mind that fevers are usually the symptom of an illness and not the illness itself.

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