Why Do Children Keep Getting A Fever At Night?

As a parent, you will know that, throughout the day, your baby will seem fine, but when the evening rolls in, their body will start to feel warm, their cheeks will flush, and you can see the rising temperature on a thermometer. Why does this happen? Why do children get fever, or is it spiking at night?

You are not the one who is dealing with this. Several patients out there are dealing with this, and fortunately, science gives the best explanation for this. Further, in this blog, let’s dive into the reasons behind nighttime fever in children, whether it’s something to worry about, and tips for you to make your little one feel better.

How does fever affect the kids?

Before knowing why fever flares up at night, you need to understand what fever is. Simply, fever is not a disease; it’s just a sign. It’s the body’s natural way to fight off infections such as cold, the flu, or other viruses and bacteria, at that time, take your baby to the best child hospital in Coimbatore to safeguard your child’s health.

• If a kid’s body temperature exceeds 100.4°F is considered a fever.
• These are short-term fever that last between 2 to 3 days.
• It means the body is doing its job to safeguard itself.

Why does the fever spike at night?

Several factors play a huge role in high fever in children at night, including:

–      Natural body temperature cycle (Circadian rhythm):

Simply, our body temperature will not always stay the same, because it follows a 24-hour rhythm known as the circadian rhythm.

• During the day, body temperature is typically low and more regulated.
• Naturally, it will start rising in the night and peak in the late evening.

In case your child is already dealing with an infection, this natural temperature will increase the fever, and worsen it than it really is.

–      Reduced cortisol levels at night:

The cortisol hormone assists in reducing inflammation. Naturally, it gets reduced at night.

• During the day, higher cortisol levels will control the inflammation.
• At night, with reduced cortisol levels, the inflammatory response in the body becomes more active, making other signs such as fever more noticeable.

To state it clearly, we can say that the body’s defense mechanism is not that strong at night, so a child’s temperature will be high only at night.

–      Reduced distraction at night:

Typically, during the daytime, kids will be playing, talking, or watching cartoons. Simply, they will be distracted from how they feel.

But during the night:

• There are reduced distractions.
• So easily, kids will get to know that their body temperature is hot, cold, achy, or uncomfortable.

This makes symptoms feel worse, even if the fever has not risen significantly.

–      Lying down disturbs breathing and drainage:

• Mucus will get pooled in the nasal passage or throat.
• This causes coughing or discomfort, affecting sleep and making the kids feel worse.
• Further, a child may also feel hotter because of tucked-in blankets or poor ventilation.

All these together make nighttime fever seem worse than it is.

What are the common causes of nighttime fever in children?

In case your child often develops a fever at night, it could be due to some of the following conditions:

• Viral infections like cold, flu, and RSV
• Ear infections
• Tonsillitis or sore throat
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Teething (this usually causes a low-grade fever)
• Vaccination side effects (after a few hours of vaccination, fever may appear)

When should I be worried about this sudden spike in fever at night?

Mostly, the fever in children is not so dangerous, and emergency care is also not mandatory. Also, you should consider getting medical help when:

• Recurring fever for over 3 days.
• The temperature goes above 104°F (40°C).
• Babies having 100.4°F, that too within three months of life.
• The baby appears very drowsy, confused, or unresponsive.
• Kids will have issues with breathing or severe coughing.
• Develops a rash with fever.

Believe your instincts, whenever something feels off, it’s better to consult your doctor.

What can I do at home to reduce these sudden flare-ups?

In most cases, you can manage these sudden spikes in fever during the night by following several methods, like:

–      Keeping them hydrated:

Fever resulting in fluid loss. Providing water, clear soup, coconut water, or oral rehydration.

–      Comfortably dress them:

Don’t overdress them and avoid heavy blankets. Lightweight, breathable clothes assist in regulating temperature.

–      If needed, use fever-reducing medications:

Taking a few medications in doctor-recommended doses can assist in reducing fever and easing discomfort. Also, without a doctor’s advice, you should not give medications to your child. That is, with the help of the Best Pediatric Doctors in Coimbatore, you can safeguard your child’s health.

–      If required, give a sponge bath:

In case the fever is very high and causing distress, a lukewarm bath with a sponge assists in cooling them down.

–      Monitor their behavior:

Never be feared just because the numbers are too high on the thermometer, notice how your child is behaving, like they are alert? Eating? Playing between naps? These are good signs.

Bottom line:

In conclusion, we can say that nighttime fever in kids are quite common, and they can be stressful for parents, and you should understand that they are the body’s natural defense mechanism. The temperature spikes at night are often due to the body’s internal rhythms, hormonal shifts, and how the immune system works at night.

While it’s always recommended to monitor the situation and keep your pediatrician informed, you don’t need to panic over every nighttime rise in temperature. Simply, with proper care, observation, and the right response, your kids will bounce back quickly.