PEM Tip: Fever Management
How to manage fever in children.
Fever is a frequent complaint of parents in the triage area. Children with a fever feel uncomfortable, are listless and lethargic and have decreased food and fluid intake. In some children (age 1-5 years) it can even trigger a seizure, which is usually harmless but quite frightening to the parents witnessing it. Here are a few tips to better help you manage fevers in children
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Fever is defined as a temperature greater than 100.4 F (38.0 C)
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There are two medications available to treat fever: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil)
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Both are given by mouth and work equally well
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Acetaminophen is also available as rectal suppositories in case your child is vomiting or refuses to take anything by mouth.
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The dose for Acetaminophen is 15 mg per kg (7mg per lbs) every 4 hours
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The dose for Ibuprofen is 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per lbs) every 6-8 hours
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It is OK to give both medications together.
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Placing your child in a bathtub filled with some tepid (comfortably warm) water and splashing the water over the skin will decrease the fever by cooling the skin through evaporation. It is not necessary to use cold water.
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Do not use alcohol to rub your child down.
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Don’t wait for the fever to rise again. Continue giving the medications for at least 24 hours before stopping to check if it returns.
