How do we treat fever in a child?
When I was small and when fever was high, I got special treatment from my father. He would feel my forehead and then touch my feet. When they are cold, he would ask if I were feeling the chill. Then the blanket would be pulled up to my cheek and I would be kept warmer.
What was the logic?
That the cover would further add heat and in the process cause sweating. Fever would in most times be broken in this manner. Then to cool the heat, I would be given 'butter' treats. He said slices of butter could cool my throat and lower the heat in my body.
My mother would insist that a bath would add harm to my hot body as I would then catch another 'chill'. So, I would just give the body a wipe.
So the hot and cold episodes grew with me.
In school, my children added more tales to the fever treatment episodes. "Madam Chong, my mother says I cannot take chicken because I have just recovered from fever". Apparently fever would spike on again if one were to consume the meat after recovery. Another gave this version, " My mother says cannot take rice because I have fever." Oh. It does indeed sound so gloomy.
Grace came back for the weekend. "I hate fevers", she ranted as Emily had just been diagnosed with the foot and mouth disease contracted from day school. Emily has been having bouts of fever and it was frustrating. "Mum, fever is not good. You do not know what is bothering and it can be worrisome." But of course, this time around the cause was known. However, a fever is a fever. You have to go through the agony of controlling it in a child.
When I suggested my great treatment styles except for the barley drinking proposal, she stared at me and said "Mum , what are you talking about?"
When the fever was high, she sponged Emily. Actually, I was thinking about the chill. Then when I said not to allow her to swim, she went against all instruction and dipped her in the pool. The result?
She affirmed that the swim was good as it brought the fever down. How to reconcile? Not me till today. Then when I mentioned not to give too much solids, she would just give that stare and halted me from suggesting 'illogical' ideas.
Known cause of fever is treated by giving liquids including coconut water, sponging, swimming and paracetamol. That is how the doctor would do to her child.
Me, the mother and grandmother would concede to keeping quiet and observe in silence. No need to suggest anything, It doesn't work.
But whatever way, a bothersome fever cannot by pass the prayer of the grandmother.
"Emily, let us pray to Jesus to remove your fever so you can swim tomorrow."
Praise God fever went away after three days and it was fun to have her fever- free for two days for us to enjoy her.
The evening when she left for Singapore, her rantings of "I want to stay here with Kong Kong, I want to stay here with Kong Kong" caught our hearts and the night seemed long and lonely.
But Emily will be happy again with an ice cream from mama.
Swimming is a good way to bring down temperature?
Of fevers and treatments.
