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Why do children often hallucinate when they have a high fever? Here’s the cause!

3 min read
Why do children often hallucinate when they have a high fever? Here’s the cause!

Ever seen your child ramble or act confused during a high fever? It might not be what you think. Learn the real reason behind high fever delirium in kids—and how you can help them feel safe and calm through it.

High fever delirium in children is often mistaken for hallucinations or frequent talking in their sleep. Has your child ever experienced this, Parents?

Feelings of confusion, worry, anxiety, and sadness often arise when witnessing high fever delirium in a child.

Many people believe that children experiencing high fever delirium become more sensitive and may even see supernatural ‘things,’ though this perception is often misunderstood.

high fever delirium

high fever delirium

The question is, is that really true? How is a child’s high fever and hallucinations viewed from a medical perspective?

A few years ago, I felt very overwhelmed when I saw my child experiencing a high fever and then talking incoherently all night, rambling about everything.

The cause at that time was that my child had just undergone an appendectomy but was then followed by a second bout of dengue fever. The fever was very high, reaching 40 degrees Celsius.

To get answers, I asked Dr. Meta Hanindita, Sp.A. The first question I asked was, of course, the basic one: “Why do children with high fever often hallucinate?”

From the beginning, this pediatrician, who often provides education through her Instagram account, emphasized that the perception of hallucinations needs to be clearly defined first.

high fever delirium

high fever delirium

“In medical terms, when a child talks in their sleep during a high fever, it is called delirium, not hallucination. This includes experiences like feeling the roof is coming down, the floor spinning, or seeing the walls of the room closing in on you. Meanwhile, hallucinations are brain and central nervous system disorders known as a common phenomenon of insanity,” she explained.

Furthermore, Dr. Meta said that the delirium experienced during a child’s high fever is only temporary.

“Usually, once the cause is treated, it disappears, and the onset is very sudden. Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, inability to concentrate, anxiety, and sometimes, those hallucination-like experiences,” she added.

Dr. Meta also said that delirium in children often occurs due to infections.

“What kinds of infections? Various infections, such as encephalitis, meningitis, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, typhoid, and others. This delirium condition can occur in 10-30% of adult patients, and 80% of those cases happen in ICU rooms.”

What about high fever delirium in children?

“Delirium in children with critical illnesses can indeed occur, affecting about 20%-30% of children, more often in younger children. This condition depends on the severity of the illness. However, it can also happen in non-critical illnesses, although I haven’t found research on that yet.”

Dr. Meta also shared some tips on how to soothe a restless child with a high fever who is experiencing delirium.

high fever delirium

high fever delirium

“Always stay with your child during this condition. Create a calming atmosphere—dim the lights, play soft music, and spray a familiar scent for the child. You can also place their favorite toy, blanket, or a family photo next to their bed. If the child is restless, move them to a quieter room.”

It’s important to know that some children have a higher risk of experiencing delirium. These include:

  • Children with developmental delays
  • Children who need supplemental oxygen
  • Children aged 2 to 5 years
  • Children with a fever above 40 degrees Celsius

So, Parents, hopefully Dr. Meta’s explanation helps you understand better. You don’t need to worry or assume your child is seeing ‘something supernatural’ when they have a fever.

Originally published on theAsianparent Indonesia

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