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Is it possible to walk with a child with a fever?
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Elevated temperature in a child is a common sign of pathology. If we talk about hyperthermia, then in children it is most often associated with a viral infection. In this case, the elevated temperature usually lasts for several days, and then decreases as the child recovers.
Is it possible to go for a walk with a child with a temperature? The answer to this question can be unambiguous - yes, but there are some conditions. To understand this issue, you need to understand why you should go for a walk at all when your child is sick.
If we are talking about frequent respiratory viral infections that occur in children several times a year or even several times a month, then they are accompanied by a rise in body temperature. This is a normal protective reaction of the body to viruses. At the same time, the level of temperature rise does not exceed 38.7 degrees in the acute period. This can only happen in the first day, and then the temperature does not reach such figures at all and remains at a subfebrile level. It is precisely in such conditions that it is very useful to walk with the child. But this should not be done in the acute period, when there is a high temperature. You can lower the child's body temperature with antipyretic drugs, and then go for a walk with him. This is allowed if the temperature is below 38 degrees.
Regardless of the season, a viral infection can occur in any weather, including hot summer. When it comes to a child’s fever in winter, walks in the fresh air are very useful for eliminating the pathogen. Firstly, it is easier for a child to breathe in cool frosty air. Secondly, viruses that affect a child’s body and any other person are adapted to live in the human body in comfortable conditions at a comfortable temperature. When these viruses affect the body, they live there due to the fact that it is “warm” there, because a person has a stable body temperature. When a child with a viral infection at a subfebrile body temperature walks outside, the viruses are not adapted to such aggressive environmental conditions, and they die. This definitely speeds up the child’s recovery. If we are talking about winter, then you can walk with a sick child at a temperature of at least 10 degrees. If there is severe frost outside, it is better to just breathe air on the balcony while the room is being ventilated.
When a child gets sick in the summer and has a fever, you need to consider that walking in the sun will not help the child. Therefore, in the summer you can walk in the evening when the sun goes down.
Another important indicator of the child's condition is his well-being. If the child feels well when the temperature drops and wants to go outside, then this is direct evidence that you can go for a walk with him.
When it comes to high temperature and the child's condition is moderate or severe, then walks are inappropriate. When a mother is in hospital with her child, then most likely the child's condition is severe, so it is better to postpone walks for a later time.
Read also about how to bring down a high temperature in a child in this article.
Walks in the fresh air for a baby with a viral infection and a mild condition of the child are very useful. Fresh air is a factor that accelerates recovery, so it can be used in treatment, with a subfebrile temperature.
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