Fevers Myth Vs Fact

I have mentioned this article to lots of patients and thought I'd post it here for ease :)

Fever - Myths Versus Facts

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Misconceptions about fever are commonplace. Many parents needlessly worry and lose sleep when their child has a fever. This is called fever phobia. Overall, fevers are harmless. Let the following facts help you put fever into perspective:   MYTH: My child feels warm, so she has a fever. FACT: Children can feel warm for a many reasons such as playing hard, crying, getting out of a warm bed or being outside on a hot day. They are “giving off heat”. Their skin temperature should return to normal in 10 to 20 minutes. Once these causes are excluded, about 80% of children who feel warm and act sick actually have a fever. If you want to be sure, take their temperature.  The following are the cutoffs for fever using different types of thermometers: Rectal, ear or temporal artery thermometers: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher Oral or pacifier thermometers: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher Under the arm (Axillary or Armpit) temperatures: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher MYTH:  All fevers are bad for children. FACT:  Fevers turn on the body's immune system and help the body fight infection. Fevers are one of the body's protective mechanisms. Normal fevers between 100° and 104° F (37.8° - 40° C) are actually good for sick children.  MYTH:   Fevers above 104° F (40° C) are dangerous and can cause brain damage. FACT:  Fevers with infections don't cause brain damage.  Only body temperatures above 108° F (42° C) can cause brain damage.  The body temperature climbs this high only with extreme environmental temperatures (for example, if a child is confined to a closed car in hot weather). MYTH:  Anyone can have a febrile seizure (seizure triggered by fever). FACT:  Only 4% of children can have a febrile seizure. MYTH:  Febrile seizures are harmful. FACT:  Febrile seizures are scary to watch, but they usually stop within 5 minutes.  They cause no permanent harm. Children who have had febrile seizures do not have a greater risk for developmental delays, learning disabilities, or seizures without fever. MYTH:  All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine. FACT:  Fevers only need to be treated if they cause discomfort.  Usually fevers don't cause any discomfort until they go above 102° or 103° F (39° or 39.5° C). MYTH:  Without treatment, fevers will keep going higher. FACT:  Wrong.  Because the brain has a thermostat, fevers from infection usually don't go above 103° or 104° F (39.5°- 40° C). They rarely go to 105° or 106° F (40.6° or 41.1° C). While the latter are "high" fevers, they are harmless ones. MYTH:  With treatment, fevers should come down to normal. FACT:  With treatment, fevers usually come down 2° or 3° F (1° or 1.5° C). MYTH:  If the fever doesn't come down (if you can't "break the fever"), the cause is serious. FACT:  Fevers that don't respond to fever medicine can be caused by viruses or bacteria.  It doesn't relate to the seriousness of the infection. MYTH: Once the fever comes down with medicines, it should stay down. FACT: The fever will normally last for 2 or 3 days with most viral infections.  Therefore, when the fever medicine wears off, the fever will return and need to be treated again.  The fever will go away and not return once your child’s body overpowers the virus (usually by the fourth day). MYTH: If the fever is high, the cause is serious. FACT:  If the fever is high, the cause may or may not be serious. If your child looks very sick, the cause is more likely to be serious. MYTH:  The exact number of the temperature is very important. FACT:  How your child looks is what's important, not the exact temperature. MYTH:  Oral temperatures between 98.7° and 100° F (37.1° to 37.8° C) are low-grade fevers. FACT:  These temperatures are normal variations. The body's temperature normally changes throughout the day. It peaks in the late afternoon and evening. An actual low-grade fever is 100° F to 102° F (37.8° - 39° C) . SUMMARY: Remember that fever is fighting off your child's infection. Fever is one of the good guys. Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker

The Haves and the Have Nots

Usually this is a phrase applied to socioeconomic status... those with money and those without. But I was at a couple of events today and it really struck me how it could apply to those couples with kids and those without.

I don't know why it's so obvious. The difference between us - those raising kids and those who aren't. Yes, raising kids takes a lot of energy, time, and is quite reasonably very present in our minds... when we are at said events we are always on the lookout for what our kids are doing (hopefully not sneaking their 5th cupcake, or beating their sibling over the head with a toy for example). But we all have lots in common in lots of other ways. We may live in the same geographical place, regularly work, eat, exercise, and do things to unwind. Most of us watch TV and listen to  the radio. We generally read and watch movies and like music. Yet, somehow something that sort of kills me happens at all too many events. It's all about the kids. Now, I've got two kids, they are the light of my life, the apples of my eye... yadda yadda, you know the cliche sayings... they are all that to me - for real, they rock! But it's a tricky trap... getting sucked into thinking the world revolves around them. A. It doesn't (unhealthy for me and them to pretend that it does) B. What sort of huge let down will being an empty nester be if I lose myself along the way and C. How terribly hard this is to the people in my life who not only do not have their own kids, but who want them?

So, if you have kids and are reading this. I challenge you to make a real effort to discuss a variety of topics with those around you (both those with kids and those without). Not, avoiding discussing your kids (that's weird too!), but not letting that eclipse everything else, and see how it feels. I think it's healthy in lots of ways, and I know it can make a big difference for those around you who are feeling like the odd couple out... waiting for their little ones to come and take center stage in their own lives.

A little moderation and balance is a good thing!

Resources for Parenting

If and when you find yourself on the other side of this fertility journey babe in arms or kiddo in hand, you may also find yourself surprised that it doesn't somehow all get easy from here on out.  Sure, it's hugely better when it comes to the stress and anxiety and roller coaster of emotions that come day to day and month to month with fertility challenges, but being a mom can also be a bit of a let down (especially when it was put up on a pedestal for years!).  When something has taken so much time and energy and focus and then is over, there are still challenges of parenting, hormones, big transitions (not to mention a fair bit of sleep deprivation).

First off, it is OKAY and normal to feel this way. Don't feel guilty for not magically feeling like your life is perfect, just because you got your heart's deepest desire.  It's another "both together at the same time without blending the two" situation.  You can be grateful and blissful and happy AND at your wit's end, sad, mad, and other hard stuff.  BOTH make sense!  So here are just a few of the many resources you should keep in mind and use should you need some extra support.  You'll be in good hands!

         Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota - On their website you will find lots of helpful information including the number you can call to connect within 24 hours with one of their trained volunteers or mental health professionals.

Circle of Moms - Emotional Support After Baby Support Group

Next groups: Mon, Jan. 28th (Edina) 6:30-8pm) & Thurs Feb 7 (Woodbury) 6-7:30pm.
Groups meet twice monthly at each location.

Free, professionally facilitated, babies welcome.
http://ammaparentingcenter.com/circle-of-moms/

Mindful Parenting Class - Meditation & Discussion
First and Third Thursdays
February 7 - April 18th, 2013, 9:30 - 11:30 AM
6 sessions, 12 hours, $155.00 paid with registration
+ $10 materials fee due at first class
Up to 12 CEUs for mental health professionals, nurses and teachers.
http://www.seedsofmindfulness.com/courses/index.shtml#parenting

Setting Loving Limits- Parent Talk

Minneapolis ECFE East & South PACs Present
Setting Loving Limits
with expert Erin Walsh
Thursday, October 11th 6-8pm Anne Sullivan School Auditorium

Learn the brain science behind why setting limits matters.

Join us to learn:
Why self-discipline is key to kids' success
How to nurture real self-esteem
The power of praise
How to avoid power struggles

We all want our kids to be happy, healthy, and successful yet the road to get there isn't always clear. This content-rich workshop will explain why self-discipline is the foundation of kids' success and why setting limits and enforcing consequences contributes to children's well- being, academic achievement, and happiness. Saying no isn't always easy, especially amidst powerful media messages that scream "More, Fast, Easy, and Fun!" Using brain science, real examples, and humor, acclaimed speaker, pioneer, expert and educator Erin Walsh will provide concrete strategies for setting loving limits. For more on Erin see her bio @ http://drdavewalsh.com/speaking/speakers/erinwalsh

Cost is free - donations accepted!
Please spread the word, pass this flyer along, tweet, post, and tell a friend!
Anne Sullivan School is at 3100 East 28th St. Minneapolis, MN 55406

limited childcare available 612-668-4980

YOU DO NOT need to be part of ECFE or a resident of Minneapolis to attend, ALL are welcome!

Postpartum R&R

In the first weeks postpartum quiet & rest have major benefits

Although our culture does not support the idea of “lying in” and many women feel well enough to be up and about soon after birth, there are many holistic reasons why going slow and doing less is well worth it.

For Mom

Pregnancy & childbirth are taxing.  Although bringing a new human being into the world is well worth it, it is a strain on the body.  It is as though a new mom has just written out a check for a large expense - depending on the pregnancy and birth, the amount may vary, but even in the best circumstances it is a large sum.  

In ideal situations a woman has enough in her body’s reserve to “cover” these expenses. They will still decrease her overall balance (or reserves), but will cause no immediate problems. These women will feel well after childbirth and could push themselves to keep up with high levels of activity, but resting, recovering, and only spending their body’s resources on what really  needs to be done is still hugely important. This means the woman should limit her activities to taking care of herself, recovering, making milk and taking care of her baby. Doing so will help build the body’s balance back up faster, help their long term health, and prevent her from going into deficit later. Continuing to spend resources on non essentials (like running errands, playing hostess to guests, cooking and cleaning, going right back to work, etc.) is the equivalent of spending extra money when you’ve just had a big expense.  It all adds up and can cause small issues and/or catch up with a person eventually. It is holistically unhealthy. 

In situations where a woman already is in deficit (either from a prior existing deficiency, or as the result of an extra taxing pregnancy or childbirth (i.e.. with twins, cesarean birth, significant blood loss, etc.) the importance of rest and building back up the body’s reserves is that much more important.  These women not only run the risk of long term deficiencies, they are more in danger of immediate signs of deficit.

The most common signs of postpartum deficit include: insufficient lactation, heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, prolonged bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, sadness and tearfulness. By protecting and recovering your body’s resources you can avoid these issues, recover from them faster and avoid further deficiency symptoms down the road!

For Baby

The transition into even a quiet, restful world is a big adjustment from the dark, nurturing world of being in the womb.  Babies have spent the first 9 months of their lives in a custom created environment that keeps them warm, well fed, protected and soothed.  Birth brings all sorts of wonders to behold, but also the challenges of adjusting to having to eat, breathe, stay comfortable, respond to different environmental factors and more.  Allowing baby to make this transition slowly and without taxing him in additional ways helps him to conserve and build up his reserves too.  This has profound and lifelong implications and effects on baby’s holistic health. 

For the Family

In addition to significant benefits to both mom and baby’s immediate and long term health, making the first weeks after baby arrives quiet and restful is good for the whole family.  Whether it is a first baby or fifth, each baby is different and there is a learning curve as she and her family learn to navigate the changing world they are in.  Taking time for self care is an important lesson for everyone.  No time is more important than this.  You do not need to do what is “expected,”  “normal,” or “right.”  You need to do what is best for yourself, your baby, and your family by setting boundaries, having realistic expectations, and honoring limitations. This will benefit you for many years to come.  

Life Healing Life Recommends the following:

-Rest in your bed or home at least 1-2 weeks after baby is born with limited activity

-If possible avoid over using your eyes (don’t watch a lot of TV, read excessively, etc.)

-Keep your environment quiet and comfortable (turn up the thermostat in the winter, don’t turn it too low in the summer, use a white noise machine, let the sunlight in, etc.)

-limiting outings for the first month to only essentials (doctors visits)

-Breast feed your baby if at all possible, ask for help  early and surround yourself with support

-Prepare as much ahead of the birth as possible (stocking up on pantry and bathroom items, freezing food, asking others for help)

-Limit outside visitors to only those who want to help - have visitors bring food, run an errand on their way, fold some laundry, etc.

-Do not feel obligated to stay up and visit if it is time for you and/or baby to nap

-Do not feel obligated to nurse while visiting.  While this may be an easy feat in not too long, early nursing requires quiet, calm and attention.

-Ask for help.  If possible have a backup plan for extra help from family, a post partum doula, lactation consultant, etc.  

-Set realistic expectations.  Simply breast feeding a newborn takes on average a total of 6-10 hours a day. Nursing alone can be the equivalent of working a full time job.  Not to mention your body needs to make the milk!

-Trust your gut.  There is a reason for the term “mother’s intuition”  You know when things are going well and when it is time to ask for help.  No book, dvd, or class knows better than you!

-Do not worry about “spoiling” your baby.  Newborns are not capable of being manipulative or becoming spoiled.  They are simply expressing their needs.  When they fuss they are uncomfortable. 

-Take care of you! If you are not well, then baby will not be well.  You need to eat, sleep and do self care to be the best mom you can be!