Does the child have a temperature of 38 and cough? What is the reason? How to deal with this situation?
Cough is a defensive reaction of the body designed to remove irritants from the respiratory tract. A dry (or unproductive) cough is a cough without phlegm. Normally, it can occur in young children in the morning or occasionally during the day, and if it is not accompanied by other signs of the disease, then it is not considered a pathology. It can also be a sign of an incipient inflammatory process in the airways. For example, a barking cough with laryngitis, a "metallic" cough with tracheitis - such a cough is felt as exhausting, obsessive.
Also, an attack of dry cough can occur when a foreign body enters the respiratory tract, an attack of bronchial asthma, and allergic diseases. It should be noted that in newborns, the cough reflex is very weak and does not allow you to cough properly.
When does temperature occur?
Fever, like coughing, is one of the body's defense reactions, and itoccurs frequently in children. It can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, diseases of the nervous system, overheating, teething, a reaction to a preventive vaccination. An increase in temperature to 38.5 degrees is not considered dangerous and does not require treatment with antipyretic drugs, except in cases where the high temperature is accompanied by chills, pain in the muscles and joints, if convulsions were noted earlier with an increase in temperature (febrile convulsions) or if the temperature has risen in baby under two months old.
How to get rid of hyperthermia without drugs?
If a child has a strong cough and a temperature of 38 and above, in addition to drugs, it can be reduced by a set of measures called physical cooling methods. They improve the well-being of the child and do not allow a further increase in temperature. First of all, it is worth saying that you do not need to wrap the child, as this can lead to heat stroke. The temperature in the room should be comfortable, clothing should be light, made of natural fabrics that transmit heat well. Warm water rubdowns can be used to bring the fever down quickly (cold water or alcohol is undesirable; vinegar should only be used in older children). Wipe the face, hands, neck, chest, legs, after wiping the child is not wrapped up, as this can cause the opposite effect.
Cough and fever
The most common cause of a dry cough and a temperature of 38 in a child is viral infectionsrespiratory tract (ARVI or influenza). These diseases are considered one of the most common among children, and despite their seeming harmlessness, they can cause quite dangerous complications - false croup, pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic respiratory infections, damage to the kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system.
Therefore, if a child has a temperature of 38 and a cough, then it is impossible to let the disease take its course. You need to contact your pediatrician immediately. According to various sources, a cough and a temperature of 38 in a child (Komarovsky, Shaporova and others) are the most common reasons for parents to go to a clinic or call a doctor at home, and most often in such cases a diagnosis of SARS or flu is made.
ARVI and influenza
ARVI is caused by various viruses that affect the nasal mucosa, nasopharynx and oropharynx, larynx and trachea (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses). The disease does not always proceed with a high temperature, but dry cough and runny nose appear from the first days of the disease. Most often, children get sick in the off-season, in autumn or spring, when changeable weather is conducive to colds.
Unlike ARVI, with influenza, one of the earliest symptoms is headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, and only after three or four days does the child develop a temperature of 38, cough and snot. During the epidemic season (February-March), up to 30 children out of 100,000 get the flu. Complications of influenza, primarily pneumonia caused by both the influenza virus itself and the accompanying bacterial flora, can be verysevere and even fatal.
Flu drugs
Children should absolutely not carry the flu on their feet, as many adults do, and if a child has a temperature of 38 and cough, then you should definitely consult a doctor.
For the treatment of influenza, antiviral drugs (Remantadin, Algirem, Tamiflu, Relenza) are primarily used, they are the main means of struggle. Also, the doctor will prescribe interferons and interferon inducers (popular drugs "Kagocel", "Arbidol", "Grippferon"). According to the indications, symptomatic drugs will be prescribed (Teraflu, Coldrex, etc.). It should be noted that symptomatic therapy drugs will help relieve a dry cough and a temperature of 38 in a child, but have no effect on the influenza virus and viruses that cause SARS, so they are not enough for a full treatment.
Drugs for the treatment of SARS
As you know, if a cold is not treated, it lasts for seven days, and if treated, then only one week, so symptomatic therapy should be preferred in the treatment of SARS. First of all, these are vasoconstrictor sprays and nasal drops (their assortment in pharmacies is huge and varied), antipyretic drugs, of which Paracetamol and Ibuprofen (Nurofen) are usually used in children, as well as expectorant drugs("Lazolvan", "Bromhexine", "ACC").
It should be remembered that children under three years of age are often unable to cough effectively, so expectorant drugs are used with caution. Antitussives containing codeine have not recently been used for children. Also, drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and metamizole sodium (analgin) are not used for them because of their negative effect on blood formation.
In no case should you self-medicate, as this can be harmful to the he alth of the child. All medications must be taken as directed by a physician.
Treatment regimen
When treating SARS or influenza, when a child has a temperature of 38 and cough, it is very important to follow the treatment regimen. You should not force the baby to stay in bed if he does not want it, but you should not allow excessive physical activity either. In the child’s room, you need to maintain a comfortable temperature and make sure that the air is not dry. With a dry cough, steam inhalations, inhalations with medicinal plants (chamomile, eucalyptus), plentiful warm drinks (weak tea, sweet juices, fruit drinks, compotes) help. The physical cooling methods discussed above are used to lower the temperature.
When do I need urgent medical attention?
See your doctor immediately if:
- Temperature atthe child has risen to 40 and above.
- Dry cough and a temperature of 38 in the child lasts more than three days, despite the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
- After fever and cough, other symptoms appear - rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or the child's condition worsens as recovery begins.
- Allergic reactions have occurred to the drugs used (often they can be caused by flavorings in tablets and powders).
- Child has chronic illnesses and fever and cough exacerbate them.
- Child refuses to drink, shows signs of dehydration (dry pale skin, crying without tears, infrequent urination).
Be he althy!
