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Understanding Fevers Fever Fears

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Understanding Fevers Fever Fears RECOMMENDATIONS BY AGE - Apply a small amount of one side of the tongue and FOR THERMOMETERS* lubricant (petroleum or KY jelly) toward the back. An accurate to the tip of the thermometer. temperature reading depends on Newborn to three years - use a - Gently insert the thermometer proper placement. digital thermometer for use in the past the anus into the rectum - Have your child hold the rectum (measure underarm about 1/2 to 1 inch; never force thermometer in place with the temperature if unable to take it in. Hold your child still until lips and fingers (not the teeth) rectally) the digital thermometer "beeps" and breathe through the nose, or the glass thermometer takes keeping the mouth closed. If the reading (one to three your child cannot keep his Over three years - a digital Dear Parents, thermometer for use in the mouth minutes.) mouth closed because his nose is blocked, suction out the nose. Fever is probably the most common of all pediatric complaints, affecting millions of infants and children throughout childhood. (an oral thermometer), underarm, While many of you may become concerned, even anxious, when your child develops a fever, you can be reassured that this most or rectum 2. Underarm - Digital thermometers will natural of symptoms usually indicates that your child’s immune system is alive and functioning well. "beep" when the temperature is - Place the tip of the thermometer This brochure was designed to put fever in perspective by providing you with the facts about fever and some helpful advice on *Ear thermometers, though read; glass thermometers should in a dry underarm. fever management. We hope that the content will be both informative and useful, empowering you to take charge of your child’s frequently unreliable, can be used be left in the mouth for three fevers whenever they arise. - Close the underarm by holding minutes. in children 18 months of age and the elbow against the chest for older. When using this type of three minutes (for glass thermometer, two consecutive *Before insertion, glass thermome- thermometer) or until the digital ters should always be shaken until readings may help to determine thermometer "beeps." Understanding Fevers the liquid is below 98.6° F. To read reliability. - If you're uncertain about the a glass thermometer, rotate the Fever - an increase in body and medications; and injury. Body The usual fevers (100.4°F to 104°F) result, compare it with a rectal TAKING THE TEMPERATURE reading. thermometer until you can see the temperature - is one of the body's temperature increases also occur that all children get are not line. The line ends at the number normal defenses against attack with exercise, excessive clothing, a harmful. Most are caused by WITH DIGITAL AND GLASS* 3. Oral that represents the temperature. from an infection or another hot bath, or hot weather. viruses and may last 3 to 5 days. In THERMOMETERS disease. It is therefore a symptom, Fever may actually play a role in general, the height of a fever -Be sure your child has not taken not a disease itself. fighting infections and shortening doesn't relate to the seriousness of 1. Rectal a cold or hot drink within the A part of the brain that acts as their course by turning on the the illness. How sick your child acts last 10 minutes. - Have your child lie stomach the body's thermostat controls body body's immune system, thereby is what counts, and that should - Place the thermometer under down on your lap. temperature by balancing hot and increasing the release and activity determine whether he or she cold signals throughout the body. of white blood cells and other needs a doctor's attention. Factors that influence body germ-killing substances. Medication Dosing temperature are infections; vaccines The chart insert shows our your child is his or her weight. If smaller-than-average children risk recommended dosing regimen for you are unsure of the exact weight, overdose. Our chart provides both Fever Fears acetaminophen (Tylenol/Tempra) you may use the child's age, but weight and age parameters, but we INSIDE and ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). this method is not as accurate: recommend that you use weight to The following are some immediately. If The factor that best determines larger-than-average children for arrive at the most appropriate dose commonly held fears regarding fever: your child has had 1 Understanding Fever the correct dose of medication for their age will be underdosed; of medication for your child. • MY CHILD WILL HAVE A a seizure from a and Fever Fears fever, your doctor CONVULSION (SEIZURE) will discuss strategies 2 Treatment of Fevers WITH FEVER. Affiliated Pediatric Practices Your practice is a member of This guide has been established to help you avoid Affiliated Pediatric Practices - solely as an additional resource for 3 How to Measure Body Only a small percentage of future sudden APP The benchmark of excellence in pediatric healthcare children have a seizure caused by a high fevers. an organization working for the parents to utilize as they deal with This Fever Facts brochure was Temperature fever. These usually occur in health and safety of your children. fever at home. These guidelines do • HIGH developed by Affiliated Pediatric 4 Medication Dosing children between 6 months and 6 ©Copyright APP, 2007 not constitute medical advice and FEVER IS Practices. years of age. It is not only the do not replace the need to seek the height of the fever but also how A SIGN independent medical judgement of Insert rapidly the temperature rises that OF MENINGITIS. your physician in each specific case. puts a child at risk for a seizure. Although these seizures are Meningitis can cause a high fever, These guidelines are current as of Medication Dosing Chart frightening for parents, they usually but meningitis is very rare. The vast the date that they are printed but and are without serious long-term majority of high fevers are caused by are subject to change as new When to Call the Pediatrician consequences. If you think your common childhood illnesses that are not dangerous. information may be developed. child has had a seizure during a fever, you should call your doctor SPONGING If you choose to sponge your encourage your child to take some Treatment of Fevers child, use lukewarm (85°-90°F) extra fluids to replace those losses, Although helpful, sponging water. Sponging works much faster but do not force him to drink. Your (artificially cooling the skin surface) than immersion, so seat your child child may especially prefer popsicles MEDICATIONS acetaminophen is usually not necessary to reduce in about two inches of lukewarm or iced drinks during the fever. products for fever. Give fever. Never sponge your child water and wet the skin surface Remember that fever is helping the correct dosage for without first giving a fever continually over about 20 minutes. LESS CLOTHING your child fight infection, so use your child's weight medication. Sponge immediately If your child shivers, warm the (BUNDLING CAN BE DANGEROUS) fever medications only if the fever every 4 hours but not only in emergencies such as heat water slightly, or wait for the fever is in the moderate range (over more frequently. stroke, delirium (acting very medication to take effect. Your Since most body heat is 101.5°F) or your child is uncom- Remember that these confused) from fever, a seizure goal should be to reduce the fever eliminated through the skin fortable. In general, fever products are made in from fever, or any fever greater by a few degrees, not to eliminate surface, your child's clothing medications are overused, and, as several different than 106°F. In other cases, sponge it entirely. Never use rubbing should be kept to a minimum with all medications, there is a risk strengths (infant's and your child only if the fever is over alcohol either alone or in the during a fever. Bundling a child can of dangerous side effects from children's) and 103°F, the fever has stayed that sponging water. The skin can cause a higher fever; be especially giving them too frequently. Simply formulations (liquid and tablets), so longer acting than acetaminophen high when you take the child's absorb it, and it can cause coma if careful with infants who cannot undressing the child and offering a be sure to choose the appropriate and should be given every 6 to 8 temperature 45 minutes after inhaled. And please remember shed extra layers if they become cool drink can reduce mild fevers. If product for your child's age. For hours but not more frequently. giving medication, or your child is never to leave your child overheated. During a fever, fever medications are to be used, assistance in determining the Again, see the table included in this uncomfortable from the fever. Until unattended in the tub. dressing the child in a single layer be sure to give the correct dosage correct dosage, see the dosing brochure for assistance with dosing. the medication has taken effect (by should be adequate. If at any time for your child's weight and within table included in this brochure. resetting the body's thermostat), EXTRA FLUIDS your child feels cold or develops the appropriate time interval. The sponging will only cause shivering, shivering ("the chills"), offer a light table included in this brochure • IBUPROFEN PRODUCTS • CAUTIONS ABOUT ASPIRIN which is the body's attempt to raise Because body fluids are lost blanket or a warm drink. provides all the information you (MOTRIN AND ADVIL) the temperature.
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