Fever in Children Treatment

Self-Care at Home

The three goals of home care for a child with fever are to control the temperature, prevent dehydration, and monitor for serious or life-threatening illness.

• The first goal is to make the child comfortable by monitoring and reducing the fever below 102°F (38.9°C). This is achieved using a thermometer and medications and dressing the child appropriately. A warm water bath can also be helpful but should be used for no more than 10 minutes each hour.
  
  
  • To check your child's temperature, you will need a thermometer. Different types of thermometers are available, including glass, mercury, digital, and tympanic (used in the ear).
    
    
    • Most doctors do not recommend tympanic thermometers, because their use outside the clinic is unreliable.
      
      
    • Glass thermometers work well but may break, and they take several minutes to get a reading.
      
      
    • Digital thermometers are inexpensive and obtain a reading in seconds.
    
    
  • It is best to check an infant's or toddler's temperature rectally.
    
    
    • Hold the child chest down across your knees.
      
      
    • Spread the buttocks with one hand and insert the thermometer lubricated with a water-soluble jelly no more than 1 inch into the rectum with the other hand.
    
    
  • Oral temperatures may be obtained in older children who are not mouth breathing or have not recently consumed a hot or cold beverage.
    
    
  • Acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol, Tempra) and ibuprofen (Children's Advil, Children's Motrin) are used to reduce fever.
    
    
    • Follow the dosage and frequency instructions printed on the label.
      
      
    • Remember to continue to give the medication over at least 24 hours or the fever will usually return.
      
      
    • Do not use aspirin to treat fever in children, especially for a fever with chickenpox. Aspirin has been linked to liver failure in some children. Ibuprofen use has also been questioned to treat chickenpox.
    
    
  • Children should not be overdressed indoors, even in the winter.
    
    
    • Overdressing keeps the body from cooling by evaporation, radiation, conduction, or convection.
      
      
    • The most practical solution is to dress the child in a single layer of clothing, then cover the child with a sheet or light blanket.
    
    
  • A sponge bath in warm water will help reduce a fever.
    
    
    • Such a bath is usually not needed but may more quickly reduce the fever.
      
      
    • Put the child in a few inches of warm water, and use a sponge or washcloth to wet the skin of the body and arms and legs.
      
      
    • The water itself does not cool the child. The evaporation of the water off the skin does, so do not cover the child with wet towels (which would prevent evaporation).
      
      
    • Contrary to the popular folk remedy to reduce fever, under no circumstances should rubbing alcohol be used in a bath or rubbed on the skin. Alcohol is usually dangerous to children.
  
  
• The second goal is to keep the child from becoming dehydrated. Humans lose extra water from the skin and lungs during a fever.
  
  
  • Encourage the child to drink clear fluids such as non-carbonated drinks without caffeine or juice (not water). Water does not contain the necessary electrolytes and glucose. Other clear fluids are chicken soup, Pedialyte, and other rehydrating drinks available at your grocery or drug store.
    
    
  • Tea should not be given because it, like any caffeine-containing product, causes you to lose water through urination and may contribute to dehydration.
    
    
  • Your child should urinate light-colored urine at least every four hours if well hydrated.
  
  
• The third goal is to monitor the child for signs of serious or life-threatening illness.
  
  
  • A good strategy is to reduce the child's temperature to under 102°F (39.0°C).
    
    
  • Also, make sure the child is drinking enough clear fluids (not water).
    
    
  • If both these conditions are met and your child is still ill-appearing, a more serious problem may exist.