Hyperthermia is a pathological variant of fever. An inadequate and rapid increase in body temperature is noted, which is accompanied by metabolic disorders, impaired microcirculation in the body and rapidly increasing dysfunction of internal organs.
Causes of hyperthermia in children
High fever can be caused by both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Fever is caused by viral, mycoplasma, bacterial, parasitic, chlamydial and fungal infections. Hyperthermia in children often occurs in acute respiratory and viral diseases, influenza and intestinal infections. The causative agents of ailments enter the child's body through the digestive tract, respiratory and parenteral tracts. Also, infections such as herpes, toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus can be transmitted to a child at birth or in utero. The high temperature is also accompanied by the administration of vaccines.
Fever can be caused by pathologies of the central nervous system. In this case, it will be impossible to normalize body temperature. Doctors call such hyperthermia malignant, and a sick child urgently needs to be examined by a neurologist.
Hyperthermia symptoms
Hyperthermia is divided into "red" and "white". The most common occurrence in children is "red" fever. It can be identified by the following symptoms:
- the skin of the child has a reddish tint;
- the body is hot and moist;
- the lower and upper limbs are warm;
- heartbeat and breathing quickened.
But despite such signs, the baby does not cry, is not apathetic, not depressed and can continue to play.
A more dangerous type of hyperthermia is "white" fever. She has the following symptoms:
- lethargy, the child is not interested in anything;
- chills, the patient complains of cold;
- the skin is pale;
- feet and hands are cold;
- lips become bluish.
If you do not provide the child with timely assistance, convulsions and delirium may begin.
Treatment of hyperthermia in children
In case of "red" fever, a small patient should be given a cool, plentiful drink. Sweet and carbonated drinks are prohibited. Lingonberry and cranberry fruit drinks, rosehip broth, cooled tea with a slice of lemon are best suited. You can not wrap the child, on the contrary, the patient should be undressed. The room temperature should be no higher than 20 ° C. To normalize the temperature, the child should be given an antipyretic drug based on paracetamol - Panadol, Calpol, Tsefekon, or ibuprofen - Nurofen.
With "white" hyperthermia, the patient needs a warm and plentiful drink. It is imperative to rub and massage cold extremities until redness appears. You can wrap the child up. To lower the temperature, it is necessary to give an antipyretic agent and a No-shpy pill to relieve vasospasm. The dosage should be appropriate for the patient's age. If, after 15 minutes, the child's condition does not improve, the ambulance team should be called.
