How To Treat Fever In Children .
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Products For Treating Fever In Children How To Treat Fever In Children Articles : New Paracetamol Doses For Children :
Related Pages : Teething : Medical Thermometers : Pain Relief in Adults : HIgh Temperature & Fever In Adults ::
Fever in children
Fever in children is very common and is usually the result of a viral infection which will get better on it's own. If the fever is mild and the child doesn't seem particularly unwell, then a slightly raised temperature does not necessarily even need treating, as it is the body's natural reaction which is to helping to fight the infection.
If the child seems ill, then the child's fever can be treated with medicines containing paracetamol or ibuprofen which help to lower the fever and make the child more comfortable. These are listed in the section on medicines for pain and fever in children. Aspirin should not be used for children until they are 16 years old as it's use has been linked with causing Reye's Syndrome.
Children can recover quickly from most infections and be up and playing within a few hours, but keep a close eye on them and check them during the night to see if they are getting worse. Keep them away from school or nursery until the fever goes.
Symptoms to watch out for
If the child looks particularly ill it is best to phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for medical advice because children can become ill very quickly with some infections such as meningitis or pneumonia. Symptoms to watch out for include difficult or rapid breathing, drowsiness, unusual skin colour, a rash which stays red when you press a glass over it, a weak or high pitched cry or continuous crying, or a stiff neck that causes difficulty moving the head normally. Some children have a fit caused by the fever, which should be referred to the casualty department the first time this happens.
Fever in children can also be caused by immunisations, ear, throat, chest or urine infections, as well as common childhood infections such as chickenpox and measles which need to be checked out by your doctor. Use mum's natural instincts and refer to a doctor as needed. Fever should not last for longer than five days without being referred to a doctor.
What is a high temperature?
- 37ºC (98.6ºF) is normal body temperature
- 38ºC (100.4ºF) or over is regarded as a high temperature
How to take a temperature
It is important that if you take a temperature, that you do it the right way. It is not always necessary to take someone’s temperature, but it will tell you a lot more about how ill someone is, rather than by just feeling how hot they are. Our medical thermometers are safer than glass ones to use.
Different thermometers are suitable for different ages:
- Children under 4 weeks old can use an electronic thermometer under the arm
- Children 4 weeks to 5 years can use an electronic thermometer used under the arm or an infrared ear thermometer
- Children over 5 and adults can use an electronic thermometer used under the tongue or an infrared ear thermometer
- A forehead thermometer can be used at any age. The strips that change colour are not particularly accurate and are not medically recommended. The digital forehead thermometers are accurate as they work by infrared heat detection.
Other things to do
- Encourage the child to drink plenty of liquids. This is very important because when we have a high temperature there is more water lost as sweat, which must be replaced by drinking more. It is especially important not to become dehydrated.
- Dress children lightly. It is important to allow the body to loose this extra heat, and you will interfere with that if they are wrapped up too much. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, without being too hot. Have some ventilation in the room, so it is not stuffy.
- Use cooling products such as Children's Kool 'n' Soothe on the forehead
Use medicines properly
- Use your favourite brand of pain & fever medicine correctly. Paracetamol is the most popular, but ibuprofen is becoming more popular and it lasts longer between doses, so that it works all through the night and it may be slightly quicker acting.
- Do not overdose. Too much of any medicine is dangerous, but this is especially important for paracetamol. The main thing to watch is that you remember, or write down the number of doses you give over 24 hours, and never give more than the recommended dose. Also be very careful not to give two medicines together which both contain the same ingredient. Paracetamol is already in a lot of medicines, and you can double up on the dose without realising it. Read the ingredients very carefully if you ever use two medicines together. Even better, check with your pharmacist first.
- Do not underdose. Many people are worried about taking too much medicine. While it very important to be careful not to give more than the recommended dose, it is equally important to take enough for it to work.
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