Nov 2, 2009 10:25 pm US/Mountain
Fever Terrors
Rising numbers on a thermometer is enough to send a chill down any parent's spine. Even I admit to being a little "fever-phobic" when it comes to my own kids. So here are some temperature tidbits that might lower your worry thermostat a few degrees.
1. A fever isn't an official fever until it hits 100.4 or higher
2. Fevers normally tend to be higher at night.
3. Fevers are actually the immune system's friend, helping the body fight infection. They don't always need to be lowered, especially low grade temperatures in children who aren't uncomfortable.
4. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen? Your choice. Both work well.
5. If you do treat, only expect a one to two degree drop in the numbers; it's rare for a high fever to return to normal after a dose of medicine.
6. Treat the child, not the thermometer. Meaning, some children with low temperatures have severe illnesses, while others with high fevers don't act ill at all. Any child who seems very sick needs to be seen by a doctor, fever or no fever.
7. Seizures from fever are uncommon, but when they do happen, are enough to make you afraid of fever for life. Febrile seizures are usually caused by a rapid rise in temperature, say 98 .6 to 102, not the actual number, say 103.5.
8. Use a special medicine spoon or cup to dose medication. Don't eyeball it or use kitchen utensils.
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