High temperature is not a disease in itself, but rather it is a sign that the body is fighting disease, as fever stimulates the immune system and sends white blood cells to fight the cause of the infection, but what about high fever for no reason in children?
Everything related to unexplained high temperature in children, known as fever of unknown origin, in the following lines:
Unexplained high temperature in children
A common complaint among children is an increase in temperature of more than 38.3 degrees Celsius for a period ranging between 10 - 21 days, or repeatedly, with no clear cause after the initial examination of the child. This is known as a case of high temperature without cause.
In fact, this problem is one of the most challenging conditions to diagnose.
Symptoms of unexplained high fever in children
In addition to a temperature exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, other symptoms of unexplained high fever include the following in the child:
The child is not as active as usual or not talkative.
The child does not feel hungry, or feels increasingly thirsty.
The child is sweating or has chills.
The child feels disturbed and behaves in an unusual way.
Feeling the baby''s warmth or heat.
The child may also experience the following symptoms, which may help doctors determine the underlying cause of the high temperature:
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Sinus congestion.
Cough.
Tired.
sore throat.
Weakness.
Itching.
Possible causes of unexplained high fever in children
The causes of high temperature can be classified as one of the following
Suffering from an infectious disease: such as tuberculosis, Lyme disease, or fever resulting from cat scratches.
Having a malignant tumor: such as leukemia, pancreatic cancer, lymphoma, or other types of cancer.
Having an autoimmune disease: such as lupus or inflammatory bowel disease.
Other causes: These include brain disorders, taking certain medications, exposure to sunstroke, hyperthyroidism, endocarditis, or hepatitis.
Diagnosis of unexplained high fever in children
If the fever persists for more than three weeks, which is sufficient time to classify it as of unknown origin, the doctor may perform the following tests to determine the cause of the fever:
Physical examination and asking about the child’s medical and family history.
Blood tests and physical examination to check for certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases.
Culture of blood, urine, or sputum to check for bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.
Imaging tests of the heart or lungs.
Treatment of unexplained high fever in children
The child must be treated if his temperature reaches 39 degrees Celsius, and these are the most prominent methods suggested to reduce the temperature:
Giving the child medications to lower the temperature, such as: Ibuprofen, or Acetaminophen. It is necessary to note to avoid giving the child aspirin Because it is associated with a rare syndrome in children known as Reye''s syndrome.
Make sure the child wears light clothing, as excess clothing traps heat in the body.
Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Avoid using alcohol to lower the child''s temperature.
Give the child a lukewarm bath, and avoid using cold water.
When should a child receive immediate medical attention?
The child must receive immediate medical attention if the temperature rises above 40.6 or the following symptoms appear:
The child is crying or upset.
Neck stiffness.
shortness of breath.
The appearance of a skin rash.
Inability to wake up.
Inability to swallow.
If the child is 3 months old or younger, and his temperature rises to 38 degrees Celsius, he must receive immediate medical attention.
