Prolonged Fever in Children: When to Seek Treatment

A prolonged fever is rather worrying in comparison to a normal fever which is a common sign of a certain sickness or infection being tackled by the body. Although the temperature of the fever is important, how long it lasts and why it causes the period to be lengthened in a child’s body is crucial as well.

This article will further explore the various causes of prolonged fevers in children, highlighting the difference between when it is simply a symptom and when it may indicate something more serious.

Prolonged fever in children

A fever that occurs at least once every day for not less than 8 days and has a temperature of more than 38.3°C (101°F) is known as a prolonged fever. Regardless of being in an outpatient or hospital setting, it is also denoted with no clear diagnosis following through evaluation that consists of a full medical history, extensive physical examination, and primary laboratory tests.

Read more: Fever in Children

Causes of prolonged fever in children

These are some of the common causes of prolonged fever in children:

Symptoms of prolonged fever in children

Symptoms include sleep disturbances, swollen lymph nodes, irritability, rashes, fatigue, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis of prolonged fever in children

A multi-faceted diagnostic approach ought to be done to find out the exact reason for the occurrence as prolonged fever amongst children is considered to be a major concern.

To find hints of the possible reasons, the child’s medical history is to be fully checked for recent sickness and vaccinations.

To pinpoint signs of infection, inflammation, or other root conditions, a full physical check-up can provide assistance and help detect overlooked symptoms.

This includes tests like complete blood count (CBC), blood cultures, urine analysis, and inflammatory markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Other types of tests could be added on according to the suspected root cause.

To check individual organs or areas of concern, X-rays, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scans could be employed.

Specialised tests could be needed conditioned by specific clinical presentation and suspected diagnosis which could involve serological tests for certain infections, autoimmune panels, or genetic testing for hereditary fever syndromes.

Treatment for prolonged fever in children

Depending on the identified underlying cause, the treatment options could be:

Medications may include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral medications for viral infections, antifungal medications for fungal infections, and antipyretics such as paracetamol may be used to reduce fever and alleviate discomfort.

Adequate rest and hydration are important. Fever can be reduced through cool compresses or lukewarm baths. A nutritional diet helps improve the child’s overall health and immunity.

Treatment that manages the underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorder or malignancy that causes the fever with medications, therapy, or other methods might be done.

Preventing prolonged fever in children

An overall plan that manages the health condition of children and lowers the chance of infecting illnesses is the best way to prevent prolonged fever in children. Examples of preventive practices are:

Schedule an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

Taking care of our children’s well-being, understanding and tackling prolonged fevers as caregivers is crucial. Parental instincts should be fully trusted and accompanying symptoms should be paid attention to.

When in doubt, do not hesitate to seek professional advice, and remember early diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment is an absolute necessity to look after your child’s well-being.

Contact us to book an appointment today for a consultation, or pay a visit to our Paediatric Care Department at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.