Illness, such as a fever, can cause fatigue, lethargy and a general feeling of malaise in your child. Both fever and mood changes can be symptoms of an underlying serious illness. By understanding your child’s symptoms and their causes, you can address the condition. Always speak to your child’s physician, however, before beginning a treatment program.
What Is a Fever?
Fever is a symptom that typically accompanies an illness, especially an infection. Fever is one of the common symptoms of an inflammatory response, which includes swelling, pain and redness. While 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is generally considered the average body temperature, your child’s normal temperature range can vary from 97.7 to 99.5 degrees. Each physician may define a fever differently: Some define fever as 99.8 degrees, while others define fever as 100.4 degrees.
Fever and Mood
Fever may not always be the first symptom you notice in your child. As the infection starts to overtake your child’s body, you may notice changes in your child’s mood first. Your child may seem cranky or irritable. Other symptoms include lack of interest in a favorite toy or exhibiting low energy levels and fatigue. These are symptoms that can accompany your child’s high fever levels.
Warning
If your child is younger than 2 months old and has a fever, take him to see a physician immediately, according to Group Health Cooperative. If your child is between 3 and 6 months old, seek immediate medical attention if your child’s fever is 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If your child is older than 6 months, seek immediate medical attention if his fever exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit or if his fever lasts longer than three days. Your physician may have individual recommendations for when to seek treatment, however. Because fever can cause brain damage and even death, seeking medical treatment is vitally important.
Treatment
While individual treatments may vary based on the cause of your child’s mood changes and fever, you should follow some general steps to reduce the fever. These include keeping your child cool. For example, you can switch a heavy blanket for a thin one and place a cold compress on her head. Giving clear, cool liquids can reduce dehydration risk. Children ages 6 months and older can take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen if approved by your child’s physician. If your child’s fever is less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, however, you do not necessarily need to give her medications to reduce fever. When your child’s fever begins to subside, you should notice her mood returning to normal.
