The fever can also come in summer. How to understand if it is due to an infection or if it is a heat stroke or an insulation? And what precautions to take depending on the case?
«Doctor, we are a little worried … After an entire winter to the nest in which Francesca was almost always sick, the summer has finally arrived, yet … it has a fever again! But how is it possible? ».
Summer fever in children can have different causes: to some we are more used to (like viruses), to others less, so much so as to sometimes call it “false fever”. In fact, children are more delicate than adults from various points of view, also as regards thermoregulation. So let’s see why and how the summer fever comes in children and what an increase in body temperature can be in summer.
Summer fever in children: the most common causes
As we know, fever is a response mechanism of our body to different situations. Very often, in summer as in winter, the cause is an infectious, viral or bacterial agent. Adenovirus, Covid-19, Enterovirus-who can cause respiratory and/or gastrointestinal symptoms-but also the viruses responsible for the mouth-man-seeing, fifth and sixth illness, with their skin manifestations, are just some of the viruses in circulation this summer.
After Pandemia from Covid-19, moreover, we began to see Group A streptococcus circular, head of Tonsillitis and Scarlettina, even in the summer months; Other bacteria, for example, responsible for impetigo or diarrhea, can cause fever in summer. The infectious causes are therefore multiple and rather frequent, but an increase in temperature may also be due to other factors.
The body temperature regulation system develops together with the child; The smaller you are, the struggle to thermoregulate. If in winter we are very careful to ensure that children do not make cold, in these increasingly hot summers we could struggle to guarantee them fresh environments. Being in too hot and humid environment, which does not allow you to effectively lower body temperature in the summer, could cause a heat stroke, characterized by:
- fever;
- nausea;
- heachache;
- dehydration;
- In the most serious cases, neurological disorders such as alterations of consciousness and convulsions.
On the other hand, another is the sun stroke or insolation, where the effect of sunlight on the skin is added to the increase in temperature and dehydration, and therefore erythema or other signs of scald, such as bubbles, on the areas exposed to the sun.
How long does the summer fever in children last?
The duration of the summer fever in children is linked to the cause: most viruses are resolved spontaneously in a few days, while for bacteria the use of an antibiotic may be necessary.
In the case of the heat or sunshine coup, the picture is resolved the more quickly as before we act: it is necessary to bring the child to a cool and ventilated place, undress it, hydrate it with water or oral rehydrating solutions, cool it with wet pieces.
High fever in children in summer: when to consult the pediatrician
The fever linked to viruses, which arises together with symptoms such as vomiting, cold, cough and diarrhea, hardly worries parents, who usually manage symptoms at home independently, possibly with antipyretics if the child is annoyed by fever.
In case of not improvement or worsening of the picture, it is important to contact the pediatrician.
In the case of fever linked to heat or sun, the Ministry of Health recommends referring to medical personnel in the case of moderate or serious symptoms: dehydration (reduced urine, dry mucous membranes, exhaustion, irritability), high fever that does not improve with cooling interventions, neurological signs (convulsions, loss of consciousness).
Summer influence and children
To respond to parents worried about the beginning of the article: even in summer we get sick! The influence, understood as virosis with fever, affects children also in June, July and August; If on the one hand the most trivial infections can be managed with serenity, on the other, with a view to climate change and global warming, it is necessary to learn to prevent heat and sunshine strokes, especially in younger children: to guarantee fresh, ventilated and protected environments from sunlight, maintain a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and hydrate them abundantly are apparently known and trivial, but often underestimated and often to be applied in the against our children.
Faq
Is summer fever in children dangerous?
Depends! Children spontaneously heal from most viruses, sometimes the use of antibiotics (in cases of bacterial infection) is necessary. An increase in body temperature in summer following exposure to heat or sun, if not treated promptly, can be dangerous.
Can you start with a little fever?
Since the fever is usually the expression of a virosis, the departure for the holidays should be rarely contraindicated. It is however essential to contact your pediatrician for advice in this regard and possibly visit the child to leave more peaceful.
Can you bathe with the fever?
If the conditions of the child allow it, why not? Immersing yourself in fresh water can help thermoregulation and is recommended for the management of heat and sunshine blows, but be careful to respect an organism fighting with an external pathogen, ensuring the necessary rest and not exaggerating with stressful or too applicant activities.
What to feed in summer to a child with a fever?
The fever leads to a greater loss of liquids, there is therefore a diet rich in water, fruit, vegetables and, in general, foods of vegetable origin. Also prefer fresh and easy to digest foods, avoiding complex and fat preparations, use little salt and avoid drinks with added sugars.
