Fever, which occurs when the body's temperature rises above its normal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, isn't an illness on its own but just a sign that the body is dealing with an underlying issue, such as an infection. Parents of feverish children can treat fever in several ways to reduce the body's temperature and make their kids more comfortable.
Cool the Skin
Giving children a sponge bath in lukewarm water can help bring a fever down, says KidsHealth.org. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents place their children in a bathtub filled with just 1 to 2 inches of water between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit--which should feel just slightly warm when tested on the wrist or back of the hand--and use a washcloth or sponge to spread the water over their arms, legs and trunk of the body. If children begin to shiver, parents should remove them from the bathtub immediately, because shivering can make a fever worse. Other ways that parents can cool their feverish children's skin, the American Academy of Pediatrics says, are removing unnecessary clothing and keeping the air temperature in the home comfortably cool.
Give Medications
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that either acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be equally effective at reducing children's body temperatures by blocking the mechanisms that cause fevers in the body. Parents can give children who aren't suffering from chronic medical conditions acetaminophen if the kids are older than 3 months of age, and they can give ibuprofen to kids older than 6 months if the children don't have chronic medical conditions, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Parents should base the dosages on their children's weight rather than their ages, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Do not exceed the dosages recommended on the medications' packages since too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and too much ibuprofen can cause kidney damage. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that parents should never give children aspirin, since doing so can lead to a serious and sometimes fatal disorder called Reye's syndrome.
Seek Professional Medical Care
Parents should take babies younger than 3 months old with temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to a doctor right away, says KidsHealth.org. For older children with fevers, KidsHealth.org recommends calling a doctor for guidance if the fever lasts for five days or longer, the children look ill or appear dehydrated, the children experience accompanying symptoms such as persistent diarrhea or vomiting or a skin rash, or the children suffer from a chronic medical problem such as lupus, cancer, heart disease or sickle cell disease.
