Teething
<p><b>The link between teething and fever</b></p>
<p>While there are many milestones that you can look forward to as your baby grows, teething is right up there as a highlight! The crankiness, drooling, and fussiness are all part of the process and can make it hard to tell what’s causing your little one’s discomfort.</p>
<p>Teething tends to happen at around six months of age, the same time that children naturally start to get sick more often. The immune protection they had in the womb begins wearing off.</p>
<p><b>Teething or an illness?</b></p>
<p>A fever which is usually defined by a temperature of over 38°C is related to teething, but the link between the two isn’t necessarily true. Inflamed gums related to teething can cause a slightly elevated temperature, but the spike in temperature will be small and not enough to constitute a fever.</p>
<p><b>Your baby may be sick</b></p>
<p>A temperature of 38°C or above is likely to be raised by an infection. Babies around the age of six months are at increased risk for infection because they begin to lose the immune protection from antibodies they were born with. Most babies are also putting everything in the mouth at this age, which can expose them to bacteria and viruses that might make them sick.</p>
<p>The following symptoms may indicate that your child has a cold, ear infection, or other sickness:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Runny or stuffy nose.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Diaper rash.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Unexplained rash on the body.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Excessive crying or fussiness.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Unusual drowsiness.</p>
<p>The symptoms of teething and sickness can sometimes be hard to differentiate, when in doubt call the paediatrician. It’s also possible for your child to be teething and sick simultaneously.</p>
<p><b>When to call a doctor</b></p>
<p>If your baby has a fever above 38°C, diarrhoea, a rash, or is inconsolable, your child could have a respiratory illness, an ear infection, or an unrelated condition. See your doctor immediately. When you delay your child receiving treatment, they may run the risk of becoming dehydrated and have other severe complications.</p>
<p>You should also call your doctor if your baby is inconsolable, isn't eating or sleeping well, or if their symptoms last longer than a week. So, if your little one seems miserable for several days in a row and you still don’t see a tooth, there could be something else going on.</p>
