Few things cause as much worry for parents as a child with a fever. The flushed cheeks, warm forehead and droopy eyes often send caregivers into a spiral of concern. Although fevers can seem alarming, they are usually the body’s natural way of fighting off infection. “Fever is not an illness in itself but a sign that the immune system is working to protect the body,” says Meichi Quek, a general paediatrician at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Nairobi. “It’s a common reason why parents bring children to hospital, but in most cases, it’s not a cause for panic.” A fever is generally considered to be a body temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius. It is often triggered by infections such as colds, flu or ear infections and is the body’s way of creating an inhospitable environment for germs, which thrive at normal temperatures.