Understanding Children's Fever: Insights from Pediatricians

*This article is based on the content of the lecture "Ask Wahaha Sensei: Thoughts and Responses to Children's Illnesses" held in 2018.

　This is an excerpt that has been edited.

※ Available in English and Chinese versions

 

 

Our bodies have been remarkably well-crafted over a long history,

I have been discarding what I don't need and keeping what is essential for my body. I also possess the natural ability to heal.

In recent years,Considering how our bodies have evolved,

Reframing Illness and Symptomshas become the case.This is referred to as evolutionary medicine.

The fact that diseases have persisted for such a long time throughout history is quite remarkable,

As expectedThere is meaning in being illIt's a way of thinking, isn't it?

 

Building resilience through illness

 

Children typically lose the antibodies they received from their mothers around six months of age.

This makes you more susceptible to infections, but it allows you to naturally contract them and build antibodies.

 

Currently, we are trying to create antibodies through vaccination rather than natural infection, but the antibodies produced by vaccination are

Its effectiveness is significantly lower compared to naturally produced antibodies.

This is a convenient way of thinking that aims to build immunity without getting sick as much as possible.

 

Sometimes I wonder if it's okay for babies to receive the same amount of vaccine even though their weights can vary significantly.

Sometimes people ask if it's okay for both adults and children to have the same amount.

I think there are people who have too little and others who have too much of the prescribed amount.

We have no choice but to take the average and include it.

Additionally, there is the fact that they do not last long, and the immunity gained from vaccinations and the immunity developed through natural infection are

I think it's better to consider it as something different.

 

From a doctor's perspective, what patients usually report are their symptoms,

When someone says they have a headache, feel nauseous, have diarrhea, or are coughing, all we can do is manage the symptoms.

But upon further investigation,Suppressing symptoms can actually be harmful.This is becoming clear, and it is the foundation of evolutionary medicine.

 

 

It's better not to lower a fever

 

Fever is our body's response to fight off viruses and bacteria when they enter.

There are various reasons for an increase in body temperature, and one of them is that toxins released by viruses or bacteria can cause a fever.

When a baby has a fever, it is usually to protect their body.

 

It is said that viruses and bacteria weaken at temperatures around 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.

SoA temperature of 38 degrees Celsius can weaken viruses and bacteria.However,

Until around the age of 3, children may have difficulty regulating their body temperature, which can sometimes lead to overheating.

It can sometimes reach 40 or 41 degrees. However, temperatures of 40 or 41 degrees do not harm a child's body.

 

For adults, a fever usually peaks around 39 degrees Celsius, so if it exceeds that, it's reasonable to think that the illness might be more serious.

For babies, there is no significant difference between 38 degrees and 40 degrees..

Even when told to sleep because it's 40 degrees, some children choose to play instead, and that's because they don't feel the need to sleep.

 

Fever is a natural response of the body to protect itself, so it's generally better not to lower it..

Especially for children, it's better to wait for the fever to subside naturally without using antipyretics.

Whether it reaches 40 degrees or 41 degrees, it won't affect the brain in any way.

Only in cases of encephalitis or severe meningitis does the brain begin to be affected, but such cases are rare.

A common cold doesn't usually cause a high fever or any significant issues.

It has been understood that antipyretics have more downsides, and I believe the use of suppositories has decreased compared to before.

Parents basically don't need to do anything. Some people use cooling pads or place cabbage leaves to cool down, but

I think it's just noisy for children and has no effect at all.

 

No need to rest

 

Japan has particularly valued the concept of rest.

 

In Europe,To return to society quickly, it's best to maintain a lifestyle as similar to your usual routine as possible, even while hospitalized.It is said that.

For example, if a salaryman consistently wakes up at the same time, puts on a tie, and wears a suit,

You can return to society immediately after recovery.

If you keep sleeping in your pajamas all the time, even when you're feeling better, your daily rhythm may not return to normal.

It is said that it's better to maintain a normal rhythm of life even while hospitalized.

 

According to the guidelines from the WHO on how to care for children when they are sick,

For example, a child who is coughing is encouraged to play actively outside.

Staying in bed won't make you better; in fact, moving your body will strengthen your immune system..

 

When you have a serious illness, it's important to rest, but resting for a common illness doesn't make much sense.

Children express themselves, so when a child who usually never takes a nap decides to sleep on their own,

It's better to think that you're just not feeling well.

If a child wants to play, even with a fever, it usually indicates that they are not seriously ill..

 

In fact, there are very few urgent illnesses affecting children today.

Thanks to vaccinations, diseases like meningitis and pneumonia are feared, but the actual number of cases is very low.

 

There are two types of meningitis: viral meningitis, which is caused by a virus, and bacterial meningitis, with the majority being viral meningitis.

 

It is said that if you have a high fever from mumps, you are likely experiencing meningitis.

There are no lasting side effects, and while I might say I have a slight headache, it's really not scary at all.

 

In adults, there are urgent conditions such as myocardial infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage,

In the case of children, such illnesses are extremely rare.

True emergencies are usually related to accidents, and there are not many emergencies related to illness.

 

 

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Doctor: Shin Yamada (Wahaha Sensei)

Graduated from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine. Has been practicing as a pediatrician for about 50 years. Director of Hachioji Central Clinic.

Representative of the "National Pediatricians Network to Protect Children from Radiation"

Editorial collaborator for the childcare magazine "Small, Big, Weak, Strong."

With the motto of "Living freely and laughing freely," we are a friendly neighborhood doctor, a strong ally for parents raising children.

"First Encounter with Pediatrics Book" "Pediatrics Book" "A Book to Read Before Giving Medicine to Children" "Childcare Guide"

Numerous publications, including parenting books and picture books like 'First Picture Book of the Body.'