Guideline: Fever in children is usually OK

"With this guideline, we want to encourage parents to trust the natural healing process while simultaneously being well-informed and prepared for when medical advice is necessary." This is how guideline coordinator Professor Dr. David Martin of the University of Witten/Herdecke summarized the objective in a press release from the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ). A parental guideline was published simultaneously with the new S3 guideline , which summarizes the most important recommendations in layman's terms and with numerous illustrations.

Acute fever in previously healthy According to the guidelines, feverin children and adolescents is not a symptom requiring treatment per se. However, it is entirely normal for parents to be concerned when their child develops a fever for the first time. Therefore, they and other caregivers should be informed in advance that fever is a "normal and usually helpful defense mechanism of the body when dealing with pathogens." One example of this could be the baby's first vaccination.

The following warning signs should prompt a visit to the doctor if a child or adolescent has a fever:

Infants under three months of age should be monitored particularly carefully in case of possible infection, as fever is often absent in this age group. If their body temperature is 38°C or higher, they should be monitored by a doctor. Their temperature should be measured rectally.