Managing High Fevers in Children: A Comprehensive Guide

Children are prone to catching anything that's going around at school, and getting a fever is part of the body's normal defense mechanisms for killing bugs in the blood (viruses). When you get a fever, your body heats up to burn out the viruses that are making you feel unwell. While a fever may burn itself out over time, a prolonged high fever may cause brain damage. Treating a child with a high fever is an important step to bring the fever down to a manageable temperature.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometer

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Instructions

• 1

  Administer the child a dose of Ibuprofen (Motrin) according to his age and weight. If the child is unable to take the medicine because of the effects of his high fever, pain-reducing suppositories may be used rectally instead of oral medication.

• 2

  Give the child a cool bath. This action will bring his core temperature down by exposing his entire surface area to cool water. Wrap the child in a damp towel, if necessary, to bring the fever down.

• 3

  Encourage the child to drink as much water as possible, as drinking water can reduce a fever. Keep pushing fluids to prevent the child suffering from dehydration, which is in itself a medical emergency. Signs of dehydration include a headache and occasionally a stomach ache.

• 4

  Place a cool wrung-out washcloth on the child's forehead to help reduce the fever and provide comfort. Ensure the child has on only a loose cotton top and underwear to enable the heat to leave his body; piling blankets and clothes on the child as was the practice in days gone by, serves only to keep the fever in, prolonging the duration of the illness. Allow a thin cotton sheet as a cover until the fever breaks.

• 5

  Give the child ice-pops to suck to provide cool relief and to ensure adequate fluid intake. The sugar contained in ice pops will help keep the child's energy level elevated.