1、Fever in Children: When Your Child Has a FeverWhat is a normal temperature?A normal temperature is about 98.6F when taken orally (by mouth). Temperatures taken rectally (by rectum) usually run 1 higher than those taken orally. So a normal temperature is about 99.6F when taken rectally. Many health c
2、are providers define a fever as an oral temperature above 99.4F or a rectal temperature above 100.4F.How should I take my childs temperature?The most accurate way to take your childs temperature is orally or rectally with a digital thermometer. In a child younger than about 4 years, take the tempera
3、ture rectally. In an older child, take it orally. Mercury thermometers should not be used. Mercury is an environmental toxin, and you dont want to risk exposing your family to it. If you have a mercury thermometer at home, you should remove it and use a digital thermometer. Dont bundle your baby or
4、child up too tightly before taking the temperature. Never leave your child alone while taking his or her temperature. Be sure you use the right thermometer. Read the package instructions to see if you have an oral or rectal thermometer. If youre taking your childs temperature rectally, coat the tip
5、of the thermometer with petroleum jelly (brand name: Vaseline) and insert it half an inch into the rectum. Hold the thermometer still and do not let go. When the thermometer beeps, remove it and check the digital reading. If youre taking your childs temperature orally, place the end of the thermomet
6、er under the tongue and leave it there until the thermometer beeps. Remove the thermometer and check the digital reading. After youre done using the thermometer, wash it in cool, soapy water. When should I try to lower my childs fever? Fevers are a sign that the body is fighting an infection. The ma
7、in reason to treat your child is to make him or her feel better. When your child is achy and fussy, you may want to give him or her some medicine.How much medicine is needed to lower a fever? Acetaminophen (brand names: Childrens or Infants Tylenol) relieves pain and lowers fever. How much acetamino
8、phen your child may need depends on his or her weight and age, as shown in the chart below. When the age and weight dont match, use the weight as the main guide. The doses in the chart may be a little higher than whats on the medicine package. Ask your health care provider if you have any questions.
9、 Talk to your health care provider before giving ibuprofen (brand names: Childrens Advil, Childrens Motrin) to your child. Your health care provider will tell you the correct dose for your child.Age WeightAcetaminophen dose(every 4 hours)0-3 mos 6-11 lbs. Ask your family health care provider4-11 mos
10、 12-17 lbs. 80 mg1-2 yrs 18-23 lbs. 120 mg2-3 yrs 24-35 lbs. 160 mg4-5 yrs 36-47 lbs. 240 mgTips on giving medicine Dont give more than 5 doses in 1 day. Dont give a baby younger than 4 months old medicine unless your family health care provider tells you to. Read labels carefully. Make sure you are
11、 giving your child the right amount of medicine. If using drops, fill the dropper to the line. For liquid elixir, use a liquid measuring device to make sure you give the right dose. Get one at your drug store or ask your pharmacist.Why not use aspirin to lower my childs fever?In rare cases aspirin c
12、an cause Reyes syndrome in children who have the flu or the chickenpox. Reyes syndrome is a serious illness that can lead to death. Because it may be hard to tell if your child has one of these infections, its best not to use aspirin.Are there other ways to help my child feel better? Give your child
13、 plenty to drink to prevent dehydration (not enough fluid in the body) and help the body cool itself. Keep your child still and quiet. Keep the room temperature at about 70F to 74F. Dress your child in light cotton pajamas so that body heat can escape. If your child is chilled, put on an extra blank
14、et but remove it when the chills stop. Will a bath help lower my childs fever? Used together, acetaminophen and a lukewarm bath may help lower a fever. Give the acetaminophen before the bath. If the bath is given alone, your child may start shivering as his or her body tries to raise its temperature
15、 again. This may make your child feel worse. Dont use alcohol or cold water for baths.When should I call the health care provider? If your child has any of the warning signs listed in the box below, call your family health care provider.Under 1 month old. Call your health care provider right away if
16、 your babys temperature goes over 100.5F rectally, even if he or she doesnt seem sick. Babies this young can get very sick very quickly.One to 3 months old. Call your health care provider if your baby has a temperature of 100.5F (even if your baby doesnt seem sick) or a temperature of 99.5F that has
17、 lasted more than 24 hours.Three months and older. If your child has a fever of 101.4F, watch how he or she acts. Call your health care provider if the fever rises or lasts for more than 3 days. In children 3 months to 2 years of age, if the temperature is 102F, call your health care provider even i
18、f your child seems to feel fine.Call your health care provider if your child has any of these warning signs Changes in behavior Constant vomiting or diarrhea Dry mouth Earache or pulling at ears Fever comes and goes over several days High-pitched crying Irritable Not hungry Pale Seizures Severe head
19、ache Skin rash Sore or swollen joints Sore throat Stiff neck Stomach pain Swelling of the soft spot on the head Unresponsive or limp Wheezing or problems breathing WhimperingReviewed/Updated: 04/05Dosage Schedule for Ibuprofren(common brands are Motrin and Advil)Ageof ChildWeight of ChildOral Drops4
20、0 mg/mlSuspension 100mg/5mlChewable Tablets50mg/tabChewable Tablets100mg/tabCaplets100mg/capLbsFever under 102.5 FFever over 102.5 FFever under 102.5 FFever over 102.5 FFever under 102.5 FFever over 102.5 FFever under 102.5 FFever over 102.5 FFever under 102.5 FFever over 102.5 F6-11 mos12-17 droppe
21、r1 dropper tsp tsp n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a12-23 mos18-23 1 dropper2 droppers tsp 1 tsp 1 tab 2 tabs tab 1 tab n/a n/a2-3 yrs24-35 1 dropper3 droppers tsp 1 tsp 1 tab 3 tabs tab 1 tabs n/a n/a4-5 yrs36-47 n/a n/a 1 tsp 2 tsp 2 tab 4 tabs 1 tab 2 tabs 1 cap 2 caps6-8 yrs48-59 n/a n/a 1 tsp 2 tsp 2 tab
22、 5 tabs 1 tab 2 tabs 1 caps 2 caps9-10 yrs60-71 n/a n/a 1 tsp 3 tsp 3 tab 6 tabs 1 tab 3 tabs 1 caps 3 caps11 yrs 72-95 n/a n/a 2 tsp 4 tsp 4 tab 8 tabs 2 tabs 4 tabs 2 caps 4 capsIbuprofren is a fever reducer and pain reliever that can be given to children ages 6 months to 12 years. It should not be given more than every 6-8 hours.
