7 Home Remedies for Viral Fever in Kids
Seeing your happy and healthy child come down with a fever can be really distressing. But there are ways that can help you bring down your child’s fever and make them feel better. In this blog post, we will concentrate on viral fevers and share some effective home remedies for viral fever in children. Ready to know more? Then, keep reading!
Viral Fever Symptoms in Kids
A viral fever can vary in severity depending on the infection. It can be mild, moderate, or high and can either be continuous or come and go intermittently. Other symptoms that may accompany a viral fever are:
- Rash
- Body ache
- Headache
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Tiredness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Dehydration
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Swollen lymph glands
Home Remedies for Viral Fever in Kids
Give your child plenty of fluids
A viral fever can significantly raise your child’s body temperature. This can cause your child to sweat a lot and may cause dehydration due to loss of fluids. To help your child cool down and replenish the lost fluids, give your child plenty of fluids to drink. Not just water; you can try giving juices, soups, or an oral rehydration solution. While your child may not drink a lot in one go, keep offering fluids throughout the day to rehydrate their body.
Allow rest as much as possible
Having a fever means your body is working hard to fight off an infection. For this reason, your child may seem tired and fatigued and may also complain of body ache. Help your child recover from viral fever by letting them rest as much as possible during the day. And make sure they get a good night’s sleep of around 8 hours to recover soon.
Change into light clothing
Dress your child in light, breathable clothing. These are more suitable to be worn when your child’s body temperature is high, as light fabrics like cotton allow easy exchange of heat with the surroundings. Do not overdress your child, even if they are shivering. Give a light sheet or blanket to cover up to prevent fever from shooting up due to too much clothing.
Keep the room temperature cool
A cool and comfortable ambient temperature can help ease a viral fever. So, turn on the fan at a reasonable speed for circulation and open the windows for ventilation. If you have an air conditioner, set it at around 24-26 degrees Celsius to create a comfortable environment. However, make sure your child doesn’t come in contact with a direct blast of AC air.
Give a sponge bath
A sponge bath can be effective in reducing a fever. To give your child a sponge bath, take a clean washcloth and dip it in lukewarm water. Wring excess water and sponge your child’s body. Start from the front and then proceed to the back. If your child starts shivering while sponging, stop and cover with a light blanket. Resume after shivering stops. Also, remember to sponge not more than 30 minutes at a time.
Offer soft and easy-to-digest foods
Your child may feel weak during a fever. So, offer soft and easily digestible foods to your child from time to time. Foods such as rice, boiled vegetables, thin dal, and juicy fruits can be given. If your child shows no interest in eating, do not force and try again later.
Give OTC fever medicine if required
If your child has a mild fever and is acting normal, they may not need a fever reducer. However, if your child has a high fever and seems sick and uncomfortable, you may give them an over-the-counter fever medicine to bring down the fever and relieve aches and pains. But before you give any medication to your child, call your child’s paediatrician to learn the correct dosage of the fever reducer.
When to Get in Touch with Your Child’s Paediatrician
Call your child’s paediatrician and schedule a visit (if your doctor says so) if:
- Your child is 0-3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4° F
- Your child is 3-6 months old and has a rectal temperature of 101° F and above
- Your child is 6-24 months old, has a rectal temperature above 101° F, and the fever has been there for 24 hours.
- Your child is 2 years old or older, and their fever is frequently rising above 100.4° F
In addition, do not delay calling your doctor if:
- Your child is lethargic and irritable
- Your child isn’t drinking any fluids
- Your child is not maintaining eye contact
- It’s been three days since your child has a fever
- Your child’s fever is not reducing even after giving fever-reducing medications.
In Conclusion
Viral fevers can be troublesome for adults and children alike. However, it is possible to manage them through home remedies for viral fever and OTC fever medicines. Most fevers get better within 3-5 days. However, if you are concerned, your child looks too sick, or the fever has gone above a certain point as suggested in this blog post, you must take your child to the doctor’s clinic.
FAQs
What is viral fever?
A viral fever is a fever a person develops after catching a viral infection. It can range between 100-104° F.
How long does viral fever last?
A viral fever typically lasts for 3-5 days. Some people may take a little longer to recover depending on the severity of the infection and the person’s immune response.
Are there any Indian home remedies for viral fever?
Drinking coriander or basil tea and honey-lemon water are a few Indian home remedies for viral fever. However, please note that these remedies may not be suitable for infants and young children. So, don’t try these remedies for your sick child unless advised by your child’s paediatrician.
Looking for affordable fever medicines and related healthcare products but don't know where to buy them? Check out our Dawaa Dost website, where we make quality and affordable medicines accessible to all!
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/viral-fever-home-remedies
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/fever
Image Source: Image by peoplecreations on Freepik
