Fever is the body's normal response to an infection. The goal is not to bring the temperature down to normal but to keep the child as comfortable.
1. Dress the child in light clothes.
2. Keep him in a cool and quiet environment.
3. Increase the child's oral fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
For infants, continue breastfeeding.
4. Give the child a tepid sponge bath - which means water that is neither cold nor hot.
Cold water or ice water is not recommended since this will result to narrowing of blood vessels in the skin leading to retention of heat rather than losing it to the environment. Cold water may also cause the child to shiver thereby increasing heat production.
Alcohol baths or rubs should never be done because alcohol can be absorbed in the skin and might lead to poisoning.
5. Give the child the right dose of paracetamol. Never increase the dose of paracetamol if the fever doesn't go down without the instructions of your pediatrician. This might lead to paracetamol overdose. Another alternative is Ibuprofen which may be given to older kids for control of high grade fever.
1. Dress the child in light clothes.
2. Keep him in a cool and quiet environment.
3. Increase the child's oral fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
For infants, continue breastfeeding.
4. Give the child a tepid sponge bath - which means water that is neither cold nor hot.
Cold water or ice water is not recommended since this will result to narrowing of blood vessels in the skin leading to retention of heat rather than losing it to the environment. Cold water may also cause the child to shiver thereby increasing heat production.
Alcohol baths or rubs should never be done because alcohol can be absorbed in the skin and might lead to poisoning.
5. Give the child the right dose of paracetamol. Never increase the dose of paracetamol if the fever doesn't go down without the instructions of your pediatrician. This might lead to paracetamol overdose. Another alternative is Ibuprofen which may be given to older kids for control of high grade fever.
