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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.
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:
Give your child some Paracetamol
(Calpol or Disprol are common brand
names). Give the higher recommended
dose. Repeat the dose of Paracetamol
every four hours if necessary. Do
not give more than the maximum total
dose in 24hrs.
You can also use ibuprofen (Nurofen/Calpofen
are common brand names) unless your
child suffers from asthma or is
known to be allergic to it. This can
either be used with or in-between
the Paracetamol to help bring the
temperature down.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If your child does not improve after
following the above advice call the
surgery or if the surgery is closed
contact the
out of hours duty doctor
service.
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.
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