Fever in Children
by Dr Marelize Vlok
FEVER
- Fever is not an illness, but a beneficial response of the body to illness.
- Fever is not harmful.
- Fever does not increase the risk of seizures / dehydration / brain damage or death.
- Fever will return until the illness is better.
- Strict control of fever is rarely necessary.
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
- Tepid sponging is not recommended.
- Do not over- or under dress your child or wrap your child in heavy blankets.
- Let child drink fluids regularly (Breast milk best for breastfeeding children).
- Speak to your doctor / pharmacist about correct medicine and dosage for your child.
- Check on your child during the night, but there is no need to wake a sleeping child to administer medication.
- If fever is not better within 48 hours or child’s condition is worse, seek medical advice.
FEVER MEDICATIONS
- Paracetamol (eg. Panado / Calpol / Empaped)
- Ibuprofen (eg. Nurofen / Ibugesic)
- Mefenamic Acid (eg. Ponstel/ Ponstan)
- DO NOT exceed the prescribed dosage / dosing interval.
- Use measuring spoon or syringe.
- Never let a child drink directly from the bottle.
- Store out of reach of children.
- Use medications to make child comfortable, do not use routinely to reduce temperature.
- Antipyretics do not prevent febrile convulsions
- If temperature doesn’t decrease after dosage, do not repeat dose immediately. Stick with dosage schedule.
- If child vomits immediately after dosage, repeat dose.
- If possible, try and avoid combination products.
- These products complicates dosage and may increase the risk of overdosage and/or side-effects.
Posted in Advice