Fit for fever

Protective and warning mechanism of the child's organism

In paediatrics and adolescent medicine, fever has always been regarded as an important first sign of illness. At the same time, the increase in body temperature associated with fever leads to an accelerated reaction of the immune system and thus contributes to the fight against pathogens. Nevertheless, fever causes anxiety in many parents and is often the reason for a disproportionately high number of emergency visits to paediatric practices and outpatient clinics. In addition, misdiagnoses occasionally lead to unnecessary hospitalisations or antibiotic prescriptions, which in particular increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and the associated burden on the body, the environment and the healthcare system.

The complexity of dealing with fever and its effects

The significance of fever for a child's health is complex, as subjective fears and ignorance also play a role alongside the physiological protective function. Parents react differently to the first signs of an increased body temperature. In addition, individual experiences, cultural influences and the respective level of information about fever influence both the way affected children are treated and the decision about medicinal interventions.