Remedies for Fever in Children

Running a temperature

The human body has a thermostat which helps us to regulate our body temperature. The normal body emperature is between 36.5 °C and 37.5 °C. With infection or other illnesses, various chemicals are released in our body. This re-adjusts the thermostat, resulting in fever.

Fever facts

• Fever is the body's way to fight infection. However, it is not just caused by infections alone.
• How high a fever it does not indicate the severity of the illness that is causing the fever.
• Overwrapping and a generally hot environment can cause the body temperature of a child to be slightly
  above normal.
• Fever caused by viral infections may persist for up to 5 to 7 days and will only completely settle when the
  viral fever has resolved.
• High fever per se does not cause brain damage, though a small percentage between 6 months to 6 years may have seizures with high fever. However, febrile seizures usually do not lead to brain damage.

Know your medications

Paracetamol

• First line of medication to be used, can be given every 4-6 hours
• Every 4 hours if temperature above 39 °C
• Every 6 hours if temperature less 39 °C
• Do not use in infants less than 3 months

Ibuprofen

• Use only when fever is persistently above 39 °C, 1 - 2 hours after paracetamol
• Given every 6 hours
• Do not use in infants less than 1 year old, unless advised by your doctor

Diclofenac Na (Voltaren suppositories)

• Use only when fever is persistently above 39 °C, 1 - 2 hours after paracetamol
• Given every 12 hours
• Do not use in infants less than 1 year old, unless advised by your doctor

Do not give your child:

• Both ibuprofen and diclofenac at the same time as they belong to the same class of medications.
• Either ibuprofen or diclofenac if there is any severe vomiting or bleeding disorders, in view of possible
  bleeding from the stomach and intestines.
• An anti-pyretic usually brings down the temperature by 1 - 2 °C. Do not be alarmed if your child is still having a fever after the medication. Antibiotics are of no use in viral fevers.
• Do not use Aspirin in children.

Other measures

• Tepid sponging 
  
  - May help if the temperature is more than 39.5 °C. 
  - Use tap or lukewarm water to sponge. 
  - Remove clothings, cover the child with towel, sponge and dry his face. 
  - Apply the cool compress to forehead, nape of neck, armpits and groin (see diagram). 
  - Proceed to sponge body starting with the front then to the back. 
  - Generally you should not sponge a child for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. 
  - Stop sponging when shivering occurs, or when the child turns blue. 
  - When your child shivers, cover him up and wait a while before resuming sponging.
•  Encourage your child to take plenty of fluids.
• Dress your child in light clothings to allow heat exchange.
• Keep the room environment cool and well-ventilated to allow the ambient temperature to help bring the fever down.

Consult your doctor when your child:

• Is feeding poorly, vomiting or lethargic
• Is very young, especially less than 3 months old
• Has difficulty breathing
• Is drowsy
• Looks sicker than previously
• Has abdominal pain and discomfort
• Has rash
• Has decreased urine output

Useful telephone numbers

• Central Appointment - 6294 4050
• Children's Walk-in Clinic - 6394 5835
• KK Ask-A-Nurse Service - 1900 KK Nurse or 1900 556 8773 (chargeable at $0.80 per minute)