By: Dr. Christian Rodriguez Cerroblanco. Pediatrician
Fever can be a defensive mechanism against a certain infection, facilitating the immune response or inhibiting the growth of viruses and bacteria
There are many reasons why a child may have a fever.
The most common are viral, acute and benign infections, such as respiratory infections, which are usually accompanied by cough and runny nose; the gastrointestinal ones, which cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain; or urinary, with vomiting and refusal of food.
A child is considered to have a fever when:
The temperature is above 37.1ºC.
Up to 38.1ºC we speak of low-grade fever.
If it reaches 38.5ºC it is a mild fever.
Up to 39º C it is moderate.
Above 39º, it is high.
If the fever does not go away or remains above 39.5ºC, a pediatrician’s evaluation will be necessary.
