Your child's fever can cause stress and a great deal of worry. According to the KidsHealth website, if your child is healthy, a fever is usually nothing to worry about. A fever works to fight off an infection that is causing your child to be sick. If your child is burning up and is uncomfortable, however, there are several steps you can take to reduce the fever and help your child feel better. A high fever that lasts for more than a few days needs to be brought to the attention of a pediatrician.
Step 1
Take your child's temperature. Use a thermometer that can take your child's temperature orally or rectally, recommends KidsHealth. Read the directions to make sure you are using the thermometer correctly. An accurate reading is important in the event that you need to take your child to the doctor.
Step 2
Record the time and the temperature reading from the thermometer. Call your child's doctor if it is higher than 100.4 F using a rectal thermometer or higher than 99.5 F using an oral thermometer.
Step 3
Give your child a dose of fever-reducing medication. Give your child acetaminophen if she is older than 3 months or ibuprofen if she is older than 6 months. Read the label on the medication for dosing instructions, and pay careful attention to weight and age.
Step 4
Give your child a sponge bath. Use lukewarm water to help make your child feel more comfortable.
Step 5
Offer your child fluids to help keep him hydrated. Give him water, ice pops, soup or flavored gelatin, suggests KidsHealth, to help prevent him from becoming dehydrated.
Tips and Warnings
- Dress your child is lightweight clothing, and keep her bedroom or resting area temperature controlled so she is comfortable. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest because it will help her body fight off the infection causing the fever. Digital thermometers are the quickest and most accurate way to take your child's temperature; they are available in several forms, including oral, rectal and axillary.
- Do not give your child an ice bath or use cold water to sponge-bathe him. Cold water can cause shivering, which will raise your child's body temperature, says Healthy Children. Read the dosing instructions on any fever-reducing medication very carefully. Make sure you are giving your child the appropriate dose based on his age and weight. Call your child's doctor if you are unsure what dose to administer. Do not give your child aspirin to help reduce her fever. According to KidsHealth, aspirin can cause Reye Syndrome, a potentially deadly disease.
Things You'll Need
- Thermometer
- Fever-reducing medication
- Sponge or washcloth
