Infection can cause stomachache and fever in children.
Image Credit: Matt Carey/Moment/Getty Images Most children experience stomachaches from time to time. The pain can vary in location and intensity, depending on the underlying cause. Pink cheeks may accompany the abdominal discomfort. Flushing of the facial skin is a common symptom of fever. Never hesitate to call your pediatrician when you have concerns regarding your child’s health.
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Fever
Facial flushing, such as bright red or pink cheeks, often indicates the presence of fever in children. Fever may also make your child’s skin feel hot to the touch. Other common symptoms in children include body aches, headache and chills. Fever in children often signals the presence of an infection. The University of California advises taking your child’s temperature when these symptoms occur.
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Stomachache
Childhood stomachaches may occur for a number of reasons, including stress, food allergies, lactose intolerance, indigestion and chronic constipation. Stomachaches often disappear without treatment, although some situations require medical treatment. A stomachache that occurs in combination with a fever indicates an underlying infection. These two symptoms may occur simultaneously during various illnesses and disorders including urinary tract infections and appendicitis.
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Treatment
Unexplained, severe or prolonged fever and stomachache in children requires medical attention, although you can often treat mild symptoms at home. Offer your child sips of water or clear fluids, as well as mild foods such as crackers, applesauce and rice. Avoid greasy foods, carbonated beverages, citrus and dairy products.
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Precautions
Contact your pediatrician if your child’s stomach pain accompanies a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or if the pain lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours. Other reasons to call the doctor include vomiting that continues for more than 12 hours, diarrhea that lasts longer than two days, prolonged poor appetite or burning sensations during urination. Let your doctor know right away if a baby younger than three months of age runs a fever or has diarrhea or vomiting. The University of California warns against using a rectal thermometer or mercury-containing thermometer on your child. Safer options for taking your child’s temperature include oral/axillary digital thermometers, tympanic thermometers and electronic pacifier thermometers. If you are unsure how to take your child’s temperature, ask for a demonstration from your doctor or nurse.
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references
University of California: How to Take a Temperature
University of Maryland Medical Center; Abdominal Pain; Jacob L. Heller, MD; Oct. 2009
University of Michigan Health System; Abdominal Pain; Kyla Boyse; November 2009
MayoClinic.com; Fever; June 2011
references
University of California: How to Take a Temperature
University of Maryland Medical Center; Abdominal Pain; Jacob L. Heller, MD; Oct. 2009
University of Michigan Health System; Abdominal Pain; Kyla Boyse; November 2009
MayoClinic.com; Fever; June 2011
Infection can cause stomachache and fever in children.
Image Credit: Matt Carey/Moment/Getty Images
Image Credit: Matt Carey/Moment/Getty Images
University of California: How to Take a Temperature
University of Maryland Medical Center; Abdominal Pain; Jacob L. Heller, MD; Oct. 2009
University of Michigan Health System; Abdominal Pain; Kyla Boyse; November 2009
MayoClinic.com; Fever; June 2011
