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THE MEANING OF FEVER IN CHILDREN

https://doi.org/10.15690/vsp.v14i2.1297

Abstract

Fever is a normal physiological response to illness in young children and it is often associated with a self-limiting viral infection. Fever is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of illness. A diagnosis of the underlying illness is essential to institute appropriate treatment. Although it is a normal response, that facilitates and accelerates recovery, some people, including many doctors, believe that fever should be treated to reduce temperature without determining the underlying illness causing the fever. Antipyretics should be used to make the child more comfortable and not used routinely with the sole aim of reducing the temperature. This article aims to acquaint primary healthcare workers and general practitioners with last guidelines to assist the measurement of body temperature, deciding on when to refer and the appropriate use of antipyretic medication in children, efficacy and safety of paracetamol and ibuprofen in oral and rectal forms.

 

About the Authors

A. S. Polyakova
Scientific Centre of Children Health, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Federation


M. D. Bakradze
Scientific Centre of Children Health, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Federation


V. K. Tatochenko
Scientific Centre of Children Health, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Federation


D. D. Gadliya
Scientific Centre of Children Health, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Federation
 


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Review

For citations:


Polyakova A.S., Bakradze M.D., Tatochenko V.K., Gadliya D.D. THE MEANING OF FEVER IN CHILDREN. Current Pediatrics. 2015;14(2):271-275. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15690/vsp.v14i2.1297

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ISSN 1682-5527 (Print)
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