Listen to A WonderCare Podcast – a 20-minute podcast all about treating fever – listen here!
Temperatures – What they are and how to treat them!
A high temperature in children is one of the most common things that parents have to deal with. A fever in children usually indicates that they have picked up a bacterial or viral infection but can also be a result of a reaction to a vaccine or becoming overheated. Viral infections which are self-limiting are the most common cause of fever.
A child’s normal temperature can range from about 97°F/36.1°C up to 99.4°F/37.4°C. Most doctors consider a temperature of 100.4°F/38°C or higher as fever when measured using an oral, ear or rectal thermometer. A baby younger than three months of age with a temperature over 100.4°F/38°C or a baby aged between 3 and 6 months with a fever of over 102.2°F/39°C should be brought straight to a doctor.
For children aged up to five years of age, it is recommended to take their temperature using an infrared tympanic thermometer (in other words an ear thermometer!) or an electronic axilla thermometer ( an underarm thermometer). Other methods of measuring temperature are not routinely recommended.
There are several things you can do if your child has a temperature.
- Remove excessive clothing so that your child is wearing a light layer (don’t remove all clothing).
- Give plenty of fluid in the form of breast milk, formula, dioralyte or water depending on their age.
- Tepid sponging is not recommended in the latest NICE Guidelines.
- Avoid putting your baby in a warm or cool bath as a quick change in body temperature can be difficult for their bodies to manage and can lead to further complications.
Babies 0-6 months of age
How you deal with a high temperature depends on several factors but if your baby is less than 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F/38°C or over, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 102.2°F/39°C or greater then you should contact your doctor.
Fever Treatment
You can give liquid paracetamol (calpol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen) to children over three months of age when appropriate. These medications are only recommended for fever if your child seems distressed or unwell. Both are good for reducing temperature and getting to work within 15 minutes. I would advise starting with a dose of paracetamol and then reassessing your baby’s symptoms 30-60 minutes later. Ibuprofen and Paracetamol can be used together if necessary but just make sure to follow the dosage instructions and cautions on the box. You should not routinely give them together – only in the case that one of the medicines alone is not reducing your child’s high fever.
If your baby is very sick or suffering from a sore throat it can be difficult for them to take oral medicine. When necessary, I would recommend using paracetamol (paralink) or ibuprofen (nurofen for children) suppositories. It sounds horrible but I promise when you are looking at a baby with a temperature of 39.5 it is worth considering! They are so easy to use – for tips don’t hesitate to message me!
When to seek help
- Seek medical advice if your child is lethargic, not eating, has a rash, shows signs of dehydration or has a seizure.
- If your child has a swollen fontanelle.
- If your child’s coloring is ashen, or blue. This is easiest to see around the lips, earlobes, fingers etc.
- If your child is crying constantly, particularly a weak or high-pitched cry.
- If your child is not responding to you in their normal way.
- If you have difficulty waking your child or keeping them awake.
Whilst this all sounds very alarming and of course, due caution is always worth taking. However, do remember a temperature is a body’s normal fighting response. Follow the above guidelines and contact your doctor when necessary and your little ones will hopefully bounce back in no time!
It’s worth investing in a reliable thermometer from a reputable brand for your peace of mind. I recommend something like a Braun thermoscan – particularly the 5 and 7 models It takes the reading in just one second and comes with BPA-free filters which prevent cross-contamination amongst family members.
I always keep one like this in my first aid kit and also in my washbag…honestly, it’s the only way I know I will always have it with me when travelling! They are reliable and good for underarm measurements. These work a lot faster than when I was a child as I remember having to wait for so long to get the magic beep!
There is nothing as good as gut instinct
A parent’s gut instinct will usually keep them right! If you are in any doubt about your child’s health or you are seeing any of the warning symptoms as discussed in this episode please seek medical attention.
Useful Links:
- My podcast episode is all about fever – listen here!
- Calpol Infant 120mg/5ml Sugar-Free Oral Suspension Patient Information Leaflet.
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CALPOL Six Plus 250mg/5ml Oral Suspension Patient Information Leaflet
-
Nurofen for Children Orange 100mg/5ml Oral suspension Patient Information Leaflet
-
Nurofen for Children Six Plus Orange 200mg/5ml Oral Suspension Patient Information Leaflet
- If you are using a different brand or type of ibuprofen or paracetamol such as suppositories etc – the individual product information can be found here!
I hope you have found this article helpful and if you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to contact me by sending a private message to the WonderCare Facebook page or my website contact page or by calling me (Sheena) at Milltown totalhealth Pharmacy in Dublin 6 on 012600262.
Reviewed 18/5/18 & 15/6/18 & 16/9/22