HOME TREATMENT
Paracetamol
- They may be used to make a child more comfortable, but it does not treat the underlying illness.
- They may be given every 4 to 6 hours.
- Within 1 to 2 hours after given, the fever is usually down by 1C.
- The temperature does not always return to normal.
- Again, how sick your child is acting is more important than if the fever comes down to normal or not.
- If your child is resting comfortably, there is no need to wake him to give panadol, unless he is prone to febrile seizures.
Ibuprofen
- One advantage of ibuprofen is the longer-lasting effect of 6 to 8 hours of fever reduction.
- Some children who are not responding well to panadol may respond better to ibuprofen.
Aspirin
- Aspirin is generally not recommended in pediatrics.
- This is because of the past association linking Reye’s syndrome to aspirin usage in children with chickenpox or influenza.
Less clothing
- Children should not be over bundled while having a fever as this tends to raise the temperature more.
- Dress with a minimum of clothes and use a light blanket if they are having chills.
- Sometimes, an overbundled infant may have a slight elevation of temperature.
- If you suspect this, undress and retake the temperature in about 1 hour.
Sponging
- Sponge baths are usually not necessary for low -grade fevers.
- Sponging may cause shivering (which is the body’s way to raise temperature) and may be uncomfortable.
- Sponge baths may be useful with heatstroke, confusion associated with high fevers or in children who are prone to febrile seizures.
- Never use alcohol or ice in the bath.
- Stop if the child is shivering or raise the water temperature.
- Lukewarm washcloths or sponges rubbed briskly over the skin with the child in 2 inches of water is the best technique
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