Fever in a Child

LOOKING AFTER YOUR CHILD WITH A TEMPERATURE

• A child develops a temperature in response to an infection.

• Most childhood infections are caused by viruses. Viral infections do not get better with antibiotics.

• A few children, usually under five years old, will have a convulsion with a high temperature.  The child suddenly shakes all over and then becomes very still.

• This information is designed to help you bring your child’s temperature down, to avoid a convulsion, and make him or her feel better.

1.  If your child feels hot and appears unwell, take his or her temperature with a thermometer or fever scan. The normal temperature is 37.5 degrees C, If the temperature is raised (or if you do not have a thermometer, but think your child has a temperature) try to lower it as follows:

2. Give your child some paracetamol, Calpol or Disprol.  Give the higher recommended dose.

3. Dress your child in cool clothes, for example a tee shirt and shorts.  Heat is lost through a child’s head so leave it uncovered.

4. Give your child plenty of cool drinks, as fluid is lost with a fever.  If he is unwilling to drink, encourage small amounts from a favourite cup.

5. Sponging your child, especially the head, with tepid water and a cool flannel, will help to bring the temperature down making the child feel better.

6.  Repeat the dose of paracetamol every four hours if necessary. Do not give more than the maximum total dose in 24hrs.

7. You can also use ibuprofen (Nurofen/Calpofen) unless they have asthma or are known to be allergic to it. This can either be used with or in-between the paracetamol to help bring the temperature down.

8. If your child does not improve after steps 1-7 of the above advice call the surgery or out of hours duty doctor service.

9. You will not make your child worse if you take him in a pram or a car to see the doctor.  Usually the fresh air makes feverish children feel better.

10. A child with a fever is likely to be restless at night.  Offer cool drinks and sponge his head if he wakes in the night.

    BP/May05