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What Causes Cold, Chills And Fever In Children At Night?

Posted on Wed, 29 Jul 2015

Question: Hi sir, my daughter 5 years old. she has little cold and no caught. suddenly at night 2 she started feeling Cold and shivering. when I checked the temperature its 101.4. it's night 2 o clock for us. donno what to do. could you please help me.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tepid sponging with antipyretic will help

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The most common cause of fever in this age is some viral infection with involvement of upper respiratory tract like cold and/or cough.
The raised temperature can be managed with tepid water sponging (sponging with tap water/slight warm water) and antipyretic like paracetamol.
The usual dose is 10-15 ml/kg/ dose at interval of 6 to 8 hours.
You can check the strength of the medicine in each 5 ml mentined on the bottle.
It comes in two strength 120 mg/5 ml or 240 mg/5 ml.
The average weight of 5 year old child is 15-20 kgs,so the dose will be about 200-300 mg.
For cold you can give steam inhalation and nasal saline drop.

I hope this helps.
Please do ask if you have any more doubts.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

hello Sir,

thanks for the reply.
i just noted the temperature its 98.0 now. I haven't done anything. other than giving her a thick blanket.

this temperature would be fine.?or I need to take her to hospital.

if its fine shall I send her to school?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Blanket should be avoided during fever

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back

It is good to know that temperature has decreased now.But I would suggest you to avoid using blanket during shivering due to fever as it is a process of thermogenesis and one should rather decrease the clothing instead of over clothing or covering to dissipate the body heat to outside.
As temperature has come down there is no need of paracetamol right now.
During viral infection the fever may recur during initial one or two days.In most of the cases it can be managed with antipyretic like paracetamol.
So I suggest you to not to send her school today and observe for any rise in temperature.
If you notice any abnormal behavior during fever,vomiting or any respiratory distress take her to the physician.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (23 hours later)

Hi sir,
good morning.

There are no symptoms of vomiting ..etc
during the day she is normal and no fever. but in the night again. temperature raised to 102 and again reduced after few hours. now I checked the temperature oral is 101.1 and below hand it's 99.7.
is it a symptom of any viral fever or its normal viral infection.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This temperature pattern is unusual in viral infection

Detailed Answer:
The single spike of night time fever is not the characteristic of viral fever.
In viral fever the temperature rises in three to four spikes in initial 2-3 days.
But as the child is active,accepting feeds well in between the fever spikes I won't get overly worried.
Observe for the pattern of fever and get a urine test done after consulting your doctor if fever spikes persists for next 48 hours.
Sometimes in urinary tract infection fever may be the only initial symptom.
He may need to be investigated like hemogram,malaria test(characteristic single spike in 24 hours with chills and rigor) also to make the diagnosis.

I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar