How to treat a fever
Posted: February 20, 2014What’s the best way to treat a fever? Is there a difference between acetaminophen or ibuprofen? Dr. Stephen Pishko, pediatrician at ¶¶ÒõÂþ», explains fever, how to treat and when to seek help.
Facts about fever
- Fever is your body’s natural response to help fight infection
- Fever begins at a Rectal temperature 104 degrees Fahrenheit
- Usually children can tolerate low grade fevers well without any significant change to their eating, sleeping or activity levels
- If your child is acting sick, that’s an indication to treat the fever.Keep the room temperature cool and drink plenty of fluids
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen?
- Treat the fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil)
- Don’t use aspirin with children because it can cause Rye syndrome
- Be sure to dose correctly based on the child’s age and wait
- Don’t use ibuprofen if your child is younger than 6 months or dehydrated
- Alternating between Tylenol and Advil can be a good technique every three to four hours
If your child shows serious signs of illness – severe irritability, excessive sleepiness, severe vomiting, severe headache, severe neck pain or seizures – contact your pediatrician.