Page 137 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS 135

CHILDREN’S PROBLEMS

Fever (children)

A child with a fever has a temperature raised persistently above
WARNING
98.6ºF (37ºC). Children develop a fever more easily than adults.
Causes may include a minor illness, such as a cold, ear infection, Seek immediate medical help if:
or chickenpox, or simply being overdressed. A feverish child looks ● Your child has a headache and
stiff neck, is sensitive to bright light,
bright-eyed and flushed, and the forehead and neck feel hot.
and/or develops a rash (see p.150)
Some children feel tired, shiver, and have a headache. ● He or she is drowsy, is breathing
fast, or has had a seizure
See also Febrile seizures, p.167.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor promptly if your
child also has earache, a rash, or a sore throat. Analgesics include acetaminophen (see
p.177), available as drops, liquid medicine, or
chewable tablets, or ibuprofen (see p.185), available
as drops. Make sure you ask your pharmacist to
What you can do yourself recommend an appropriate product for your child.
Use the self-help treatments described below If your child spits the medicine out, try using an oral
to make a feverish child more comfortable. syringe (available from your pharmacist).
● Make sure your child gets plenty of rest, although
he or she does not need to stay in bed.
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
● Give an analgesic such as acetominophen or
ibuprofen to reduce fever (see DRUG REMEDIES,
right) and give your child plenty of cool drinks. Taking a child’s temperature Use
an easy-to-read digital thermometer, which is placed
● You can get a good idea of your child’s in your child’s mouth or armpit, or an aural sensor
temperature by feeling his or her forehead or the thermometer, the tip of which is inserted into the ear.
back of the neck. If you need an accurate result, Take a reading every 2–3 hours.
use a thermometer (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). Forehead temperature strips are
unreliable, and mercury
● Dress your child in light clothing. Don’t swaddle thermometers are no
the child in blankets, even if he or she has chills. longer recommended.
Make sure the room is comfortable and not too hot.
Aural thermometer
Gently insert the tip
Seek further medical advice for a few seconds.
Remove the
Arrange to see your doctor if: thermometer to
read the display.
● Your child does not improve within 24 hours
● His or her temperature continues to rise
● He or she develops new symptoms