Best Idea- Treat Suffering!
Your first goal is to alleviate suffering. If your child has a 105
temp but feels great and is playing happily, you usually don't have to rush
to start medicating with an anti-pyretic (Tylenol, etc.)
We do want you to treat suffering. So no matter your child's exact
temperature (99 or 105), if your child is feeling bad or complaining of
pain, feel free to give the appropriate dose of either: Acetaminophen/ Tylenol
or Ibuprofen/ Motrin/ Advil.
PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TILL AFTER YOUR CHILD SEES THE DOCTOR TO OFFER YOUR
CHILD A RELIEF OF THEIR SUFFERING! We expect you to give your
child some pain medicine before your appointment. Dosing an
anti-pyretic before the visit will not affect any tests your doctor may want
to run.
Do not give any antibiotics you have around the house for a previous
infection. That could seriously affect tests doctors use in ill
children.
Medicine to treat a fever will only drop the temperature a degree or two.
Remember the medicine is to allow your child to feel a bit better while the
fever kills the infection.
Which One?
If your child is older than 6 months you can decide which one (acetaminophen
or ibuprofen) is best. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) only lasts 4-6 hours
but is much safer to use in children who are not drinking well or those who
have abdominal pain/vomiting. Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) lasts longer
and is stronger so only give a dose every 6-8 hours. Ibuprofen is
harder on the stomach so give it with food if possible.
Alternate Tylenol and Motrin?
Alternating both types of medicine is only a good idea if your doctor
recommended it after the doctor saw your child. Overdosing or even
underdosing is common when this method is attempted, so only alternate if
your doctor has given you a schedule and dose appropriate for your child.
Medicine Dosages:
Acetaminophen/Tylenol Dose
(2 months and
up)
For Pain/Fever...
Ibuprofen/Motrin Dose (6 months
and up):
Infants' Motrin
Children's Motrin
Ibuprofen/ Advil Dose (6 months
and up):
Infants' Advil
Children's Advil
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When should I call the office?
If your child has a temperature over 100.3 AND
ANY of the following:
- Your child is less than 3 months old.
- Won't wake up
- Dehydrated
- Irritable and nothing helps
- "Drunk" appearing
- Very ill and can't bend head downwards
- Severe Headache
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever lasts more than 48-72 hours
What is normal with a fever?
Fever is a body's natural response to infection. It is one of the
best defenses
that we have. Temperatures of even 104 and 105 do not cause heart,
liver, or brain damage. But fevers that high do kill viruses and bacteria.
So no matter what you have heard, fevers usually are a good thing for your
body's defense!
Chills are a way your body can help increase your temperature to kill off
the attacking infection. We do not recommend that you try to
aggressively change your child's temperature with something such as an ice bath. We
recommend that you follow your child's instincts. If they act or tell
you they are hot, then allow them to wear less clothes and blankets.
And in the same way if they have chills or are telling you they are cold
even when they have a fever, it is safe to wrap them up in warm clothes and
a blanket. If they are alert and their extremities feel warm usually
chills and feeling cold are a sign the temperature is going to go up a bit to
help the body fight the infection. Watch them closely. Usually
within a few hours most chills are followed by a sense of
being hot and wanting to kick off those blankets. Let them!
Worried about...
Croup?
Skin Infections?
Strep?
Vomiting? |
